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AlpacaNation Q&A with Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC
Darlene & Edward Geiser
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146 N. Honey Lake Road, Burlington, WI 53105
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262-534-4091
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: After 13 years in the Lawncare Business, we decided to sell. We new that we would have to use our profit for some type of business and decided that we have enough acres to start a farm. It was Darlene's dream to someday have a farm of her own & Ed thought it would be wise use our acres and get farm deductions for it.
We started researching animals, not enough room for horses & their hoofs beat up the lawn. Birds were interesting - chickens, ostrich, emu - but they just did not seem to fit into our plan. Rabbits, goats & sheep were not right either. I noticed the Llama & debated about it, but the market for llamas is not as good as I would like to see. Then we attended a fair in Juneau county & noticed a booth with alpacas. I loved them - they were perfect. Ed was not sure. I started attending shows, centered vacations around destinations where we could go to seminars/shows on alpacas (birthing in NM, CA,etc). Ed was now in for the long run & we decided to raise alpaca
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: We have been in the alpaca business since 2004.
AlpacaNation: How do you see the industry developing as the U.S. market grows rapidly?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: The US market has seen rapid growth. However, we are in a bull period now due to a poor economy. Alpaca breeders must adopt to the ups and downs in the market.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: We wanted Earthcare in our name because we believe in preserving our world for the next generation. We knew that Alpacas fit into this concept perfectly. They are easy to take care of, they use a common dung pile and their dung does not smell like other manure does. Hence, the manure is perfect for gardeners. The alpaca feet do not destroy grass the way other animals do, they chew the top of grass and
do not pull grass out from the stems. In this way they are earth friendly. To make profit from these animals we breed them. Once a year we shear them and use their fiber to make skeins, battings, rovings and products. We also belong to a North American Coop that uses part of our fiber to make alpaca socks. All of our alpacas fiber is used in some way.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: We think that our farm and herd are set apart from others because of our personal attention to each animal and follow-up care with our customers.
AlpacaNation: What is your greatest achievement or favorite memory since you started raising alpacas?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: Our greatest achievement since we started raising alpacas is the successful birthing our first 5 cria with relatively few problems. The birth of our first girl, Reana, is one of our favorite memories.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: We spent three years contemplating raising alpacas. We started by taking vacations in different states where relatives/friends lived and found alpaca farms in the area. Visits included checking out the different barn layouts, a day working on a farm, birthing seminar, health seminars and fiber seminars. Then we went to alpaca shows. We read lots of articles on the business aspect & tax advantages. Finally, we went to visit local farms and made the decision that I have never regreted. We had a few months before the arrival of our first alpacas.
This was the hard part! We had to erupt a barn, fencing and prepare the inside of the barn for animals (we did not own livestock animals before). With the help of our wonderful Son, Greg, we were ready and waiting for the arrival of our first animals.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: Compose a business plan, read articles on alpacas, visit many farms and shows, set a budget and know what your long term goal is.
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: We wish to grow slowly so we can keep a handle on things. Too rapid growth dooms a business to failure. We will most likely not exceed around 50 alpacas. I expect my animals will be high quality alpacas with great comformation and fine fleece.
I see the alpaca business growing with more high quality animals that have exceedingly high quality of fiber. I believe that the North American Cooperative will be doing much better and by 10 years everyone will recognize the alpaca as a fine livestock animal. Most people will own some type of alpaca clothing.
AlpacaNation: What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: Breeding is not as easy as you think! If it was, the US herd would be much larger than it is. Observe your females at each breeding and take notes. You can learn your females cycles that way. This information can be used for other females, as well, that you are breeding.
AlpacaNation: What unique challenges do you face as a small, mid-size, or larger breeder?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: I would say that number one is competition. You do not have the inventory or selection that the large breeders have. You can't afford to price lower like the larger breeders which offer package deals. Name recogniti9on is hard to come by. Small breeders can not buy in bulk to save money. But being small has its advantages. You can give more personal care to each animal. It is also easier to adjust feeding schedules and notice sick animals more quickly.
A small breeder has fewer clients, so they can spend more time with their clients and be more available to them.
AlpacaNation: What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: I tell prospective buyers that there are two types of alpacas available to them. The fiber animals are usually gelded males because gelding them helps preserve their fiber. These fiber animals sell for $1000 and under. This is a small price to pay for the wonderful fiber of the alpaca.
The females can go $10,000 and up, but they will pay themselves off with their offspring. Breeding is the way to make the most money because we do not have enough alpacas in the USA and many more are needed. The Suri are especially needed.
But a customer must decide if they are interested in a fiber farm or a breeding farm.
AlpacaNation: Any embarrassing moments you would like to share?
Earthcare Suri Alpacas LLC: My most embarrassing moment was the first time my vet came and I offered them a raincoat and bonnet before going to check on an alpaca with new cria. This was my first experience with birthing livestock and this girl was nasty! She was spitting anytime I went near her and screaming so loud. I was in my raincoat and smelling awful and I didn't want the vet to get soaked. She just did not want us near her cria.
Minera now has calmed down, but we know exactly when she is pregnant, as well as, when she is not. When she is not pregnant, she is the sweetest alpaca out there. And when she is pregnant, she is much better and spits at the wall instead of us!
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