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AlpacaNation Q&A with Good Fortune Farms Alpacas
Marcus and Cathryn Whitman
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6385 Dee Highway, Mt. Hood/Parkdale, OR 97041
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541-352-7925
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: Prior to entering the alpaca industry we both worked as USCG boat captains and professional scuba instructors, spending many years in the Caribbean.
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We started Good Fortune Farms alpacas in 2000 and have been enjoying ourselves sever since. Marcus now works full time, while Cathryn continues to work as a magazine editor.
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We live on acreage in a rural area at the base of Mt. Hood. We wanted engage in some type of farming activity, and we agreed that we wanted to raise some livestock that we didn't have to kill -- and that wasn't likely to kill us. Alpacas fit the bill beautifully.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We've enjoyed many blessings, and have been very fortunate in so many ways. We've always had jobs that we've truly loved... we're each others' best friends... we're in good health and Marcus has survived cancer... we enjoy a large circle of friends and family... and we live in a beautiful place. We wanted our farm name to be a celebration of our Good Fortune.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We're very serious about our alpaca business -- making sure to provide the animals with excellent care, and we strive to make solid breeding decisions that will improve future generations. Yet, we don't take this business or ourselves so seriously that we forget to have fun. A good sense of humor is an important tool.
AlpacaNation: What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We failed to understand how important it is to perform regular "preg checks" on pregnant females -- behavior ("spit") and ultrasound tests should be performed on a regular basis, not just during the first 45 days of pregnancy. During our first two years, a few of our females absorbed their pregnancies and it went unnoticed. Now we check them regularly and rebreed as necessary.
AlpacaNation: Describe your first alpaca purchase... would you do anything differently today?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We paid a premium for a white Bolivian import female with male cria at side. She wasn't able to conceive again. Need we say more?
AlpacaNation: What has been the most helpful advice you have received from your veterinarian?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: There are no stupid questions.
AlpacaNation: What unique challenges do you face as a small, mid-size, or larger breeder?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We seem to always be able to use more money, and more time. But things tend to work out, even with less.
AlpacaNation: What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: This isn't a fiber industry. Not by a long shot. It's a livestock industry that wants to grow up to be a fiber industry.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We visited about a dozen farms of various sizes, run by people from all walks of life. We learned that alpacas are pretty hardy animals and that there are as many ways to care for them as there are people doing it. We also crunched a lot of numbers before we decided to make our first purchase.
AlpacaNation: What is your greatest achievement or favorite memory since you started raising alpacas?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: Our first born suri female, Accoyo Princess Liberty, won first place and Grand Champion of every show she was entered in -- AOBA, the Futurity, IAO, you name it. We were very proud to sell her to Greg Mecklem and Diana Yates of Pacific Crest Alpacas and send her out into the world as an example of our breeding program.
We were also very proud when our herdsire, Hornblower, took Reserve Champion at a major show, the 2004 Alpaca Western Extravaganza.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: Do a lot of homework first. Visit as many farms as you can, and put your hands on as many alpacas as you can. Attend shows, join affiliates in your area, and find ways to volunteer in the alpaca industry. You'll find it very rewarding and you'll learn so much!
Most importantly -- pick the sellers first, then the alpacas. In other words, buy from people you really like, who'll be there for you. Listen to your gut on this, not to whatever offer is greatest - whether it's the price, or financing, etc. You'll benefit the most -- especially as a new buyer -- by investing in a relationship with your sellers.
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Good Fortune Farms Alpacas: We've grown from 12 acres to 53 in the last year, and and our herd is growing, too. We opened a farm store -- Goodness! -- in April 2005 and we've it's been quite a success. We're amazed at how well our "homegrown" yarn and apparel has been selling. We've also entered into co-ownerships on herdsires and are enjoying those partnerships. In the next few years we anticipate having about 30-40 alpacas and several more herdsires. We've added brokering to our services offered. And Marcus is now trained as a professional shearer.
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