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AlpacaNation Q&A with Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm
Laura and John & Audrey and Andrew Coussens
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7309 184th St. N.W. , Stanwood, WA 98292
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(360) 652-8742
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: I (Laura) have always loved animals and when I discovered alpacas in late 1997 it was just something that I had to do!
I have a Bachelor's degree from Calif. State Long Beach and grew up in So. Calif. and past job experience in retail and aerospace.
I have a husband, John, and two children Audrey and Andrew.
I am a stay-at-home mom and alpaca breeder.
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: I (Laura) have always loved animals and when I discovered alpacas in late 1997 it was just something that I had to do!
I have a Bachelor's degree from Calif. State Long Beach and grew up in So. Calif. and past job experience in retail and aerospace.
I have a husband, John, and two children Audrey and Andrew.
I am a stay-at-home mom and alpaca breeder.
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: I discovered alpacas in late 1997 and bought my first three females in early 1998.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Choosing a farm name is tough. I choose this name to signify my love for animals and...to help people pronounce our last name.
AlpacaNation: What is your greatest achievement or favorite memory since you started raising alpacas?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Without a doubt, being blessed with having produced Constantino.
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: On a flight to AK to visit my sister, I saw AOA's ad in Alaska airline's magazine.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Years ago, Linda Berry-Walker told me that I was ahead of my time because of my approach to breeding which is to analytically and methodically select and produce first and foremost a sound alpaca as free of faults and defects as possible and also to keep in mind that someday we should be breeding alpacas according to the environment and climate in which we expect them to live in and thrive. I also select strongly for a fleece you'll love next to your skin, rather than an exrtemely dense fleece which has and can risk the health and/or the fertility of the alpaca.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Basically, we talked to many breeders, did a lot of research and studying (an on-going process to this day), bought a lot of books and a five acre farm.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: This is from many years of personal and shared experience from others:
Get everything in writing...read contracts very carefully!
Keep your alpaca endeavor within your means.
Expect and prepare for all the ups and downs.
Research bloodlines and avoid defects.
Make a commitment and stay dedicated.
Insure your breeding alpacas!!!
Keep your herd as healthy as possible.
Research and study continuously.
Buy the best alpacas you can...not the most.
Get complimentary, fully guaranteed breedings.
Keep a future vision of alpacas in mind...uniform herds sorted by color and consistent color production...blacks produce blacks, etc.
There's more...give Laura a call!
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Within five years, we expect to grow to 50 to 70 alpacas and we will be focusing on top quality true black, gray, maroon and fawns.
By ten years, we expect to have more top quality blacks and will still be working on those other colors.
AlpacaNation: What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Some breeders might not like this, but for me it's not going with the flow and not making improvements happen too quickly for the sake of a show award. I set comprehensive breeding goals and very selectively choose matings to improve the body of the alpaca to create robust and correct structure along with a fleece you'll love next to your skin.
AlpacaNation: Describe your first alpaca purchase... would you do anything differently today?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: My first alpaca purchases were three maidens from three different farms...two had to be replaced and one of the replacements had to be replaced. The farms involved were wonderful and suggested very acceptable solutions as soon as I told them what was the problem. So yes...hindsight is 20-20 and I perhaps would have been better off in the long run with pregnant or proven females, but who knows. No regrets.
AlpacaNation: What has been the most helpful advice you have received from your veterinarian?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Too many to list! Give me (Laura) a call and we'll talk.
AlpacaNation: What unique challenges do you face as a small, mid-size, or larger breeder?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: I think that there is a unique challenge that is applicable to all alpaca breeders. This industry is not a pyramid scheme. Rather, it is a new and growing industry that requires new investors / members which will support price levels and to produce more alpaca fiber. There are less than 5000 tons of alpaca fiber produced in the entire world compared to tens of millions of tons of sheep fiber. At this point in time (4/09), I think we as an industry need to continue to advocate this agricultural lifestyle and to focus on alpaca breeding as a safe and desirable lifestyle with good profits and great tax benefits.
AlpacaNation: What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: The alpaca industry is still in the development and breeder's market (investment)phase and will be for many years because we have so few alpacas and so much to accomplish. I figure that possibly my great grandchildren may see in person my future vision of alpacas...job security!
AlpacaNation: If you could change one aspect of the Alpaca industry what would it be? Why?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: That's a tough one. I guess I'd like most to see the AFCNA give better returns to the producers.
AlpacaNation: How do you see the industry developing as the U.S. market grows rapidly?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: The industry will continue to evolve slowly because alpacas reproduce slowly and imports were stopped in 1998. It will continue to grow and we will logically see further broadening of prices with lesser quality alpacas selling for less and top quality alpacas selling for new records.
AlpacaNation: Do you have a favorite Alpaca? Why is it your favorite?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: I admit that I have had a few favorites, but I love them all. My favorites are not based solely on their fiber, but on the qualities of their instincts, intelligence and dispostions and how they react/respond/reciprocate to me. They are Trufflina, Megabuck, his incredible dam Jacira, Lady Monaco, Clarissa and Claresse, and Casimiro.
AlpacaNation: Any embarrassing moments you would like to share?
Kissin' Coussens Alpaca Farm: Plenty and I don't care to share them. ;>)
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