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AlpacaNation Q&A with Sauk Creek Alpacas LLC
Lynne Johnson
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, 746 Heather Lane, Oregon, WI 53575
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608-291-2131
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Sauk Creek Alpacas LLC: By day, I'm senior director of external relations for the University of Wisconsin Foundation. I work long hours and while I love what I do, by the end of the week I'm downright pooped and a tad bit stressed. I live in a condominium and have found that agistment works perfectly for my situation as I grow my herd in anticipation of retirement. Sauk Creek Alpacas is part of my retirement plan as well as my plan for retirement.
I financed my first purchase bringing a pregnant dam and her first-born son to Wisconsin from Arizona. Her second boy has turned out to be a prize-winning herdsire, the son of Accoyo Pluro's Smokey and grandson of PPeruvian Accoyo Pluro.
In my first five years, I've made many new friends and have even met a cousin in the business who now agists my critters! And the experience of helping to plan a successful AOBA Level IV halter show has been incredibly rewarding.
It's been a fun ride thus far and I feel blessed to be a part of this industr
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Sauk Creek Alpacas LLC: I've always loved llamas so it was a natural transition to alpacas and that was mainly because of their size. I thought they would be easier to handle. I also was interested in their end product.
After a bad day at the office, I threatened to start "Lynne's Llama-Rama." While I was kidding at the time, the seed was planted. And once I came face-to-face with an alpaca, it was all over. I spent more than a year visiting farms and researching the industry before I made my first purchase.
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Sauk Creek Alpacas LLC: I first became interested in 1999 and Cassie and her cria Cassidy arrived from Arizona in April 2000.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Sauk Creek Alpacas LLC: It was difficult coming up with a name because the ones I wanted were already taken. So I went with one that has a geographical meaning to this area of southern Wisconsin.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Sauk Creek Alpacas LLC: Plan. Plan. Plan. And plan some more. Start with a business plan and define your breeding program. What do you want to achieve? Visit as many farms and breeders as you can. Get involved in the industry. Volunteer and participate at events and shows. Learn how to promote and market your farm. And breed for the finest and best animal you can. Commit to improving the industry and the breed.
And enjoy your alpacas. They are magical creatures and worth every sacrifice you may have to make.
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