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AlpacaNation Q&A with Able Oaks Ranch Alpacas
Virginia Lyons
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6167 FM1857 S, Rusk, TX 75785
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903-530-1009
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Able Oaks Ranch Alpacas: I've always had a love of animals, and bred and showed dogs in AKC for 10 years. When I saw my first alpaca, I thought they were extremely attractive animals. After some research, I realized that alpaca ranching could be a very enjoyable and financially rewarding lifestyle after I retired from 20 years in Corporate America. I've never looked back or regretted my decision.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Able Oaks Ranch Alpacas: Able Oaks is a full-service ranch that is opening new "alpaca territory" in East Texas. It's conveniently located midway between Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Shreveport LA. My ranch is in the midst of traditional cattle ranchers. So I'm happy to inform and educate traditional ranchers about how alpacas can deliver a better financial return on their current ranching operations. And they are certainly a lot easier to raise than cattle!
I have a good eye for conformation, and as a weaver, I have a good feel for soft fiber. I'm focusing on breeding for softness and color. I've worked very hard to select nice foundation animals with great pedigrees, and I have enough genetic diversity to not be limited by a small gene pool.
I have 20 years marketing experience in Corporate and will work with you to market your alpacas and alpaca-related businesses. I'll help you make good choices and get started growing your own successful alpaca business
AlpacaNation: Describe your first alpaca purchase... would you do anything differently today?
Able Oaks Ranch Alpacas: I went to an alpaca halter show and looked at many animals. Then I saw a group of three siblings that just knocked my socks off. I shook hands with the breeder to buy the female, the lovely Venus. The next day she took the color championship!
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Able Oaks Ranch Alpacas: I read a lot on the Web and looked at many, many Web sites. I also visited several alpaca ranches to see the animals first-hand and to get a sense of how much acreage, type of barn, fencing, feed, etc. is required. Finally, I attended an alpaca halter show to see what was winning in the show ring.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Able Oaks Ranch Alpacas: Always buy and breed to animals of quality. Selet animals and/or their parents that have done well in the show ring. Select first for correct conformation, rather than fiber because fiber can be dramatically improved in one generation, but conformation problems can take many generations to eliminate.
Most importantly, don't get discouraged with a set-back. Like most adventures, breeding alpacas has its ups and downs--so always keep a balanced perspective. This is a great business with an open-ended future, limited only by one's own imagination.
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