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AlpacaNation Q&A with Legacy Alpacas
Michelle AuClair Hareid & Craig Hareid
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29353 Highway 7, Davis , OK 73030
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580-868-3339
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Legacy Alpacas: Craig and Michelle have been raising livestock and children together since 1991, when we blended our 4 children, 2 of hers and 2 of his for better or for worse! Raising livestock we found was a whole lot easier than raising 4 children, all within 5 years of each other.
The children are all grown now(the baby is still in college), and we are now raising a menagerie of Huacaya Alpacas, Angus Cows, American Quarter Horses, Great Pyrenees Livestock Dogs, Assorted Barn Cats and a flock of Guinea Hens. No time for the "Empty Nest Syndrome" around here!!
In August of 2003 we moved from our home of 25 years in Tucson, Arizona to the rolling prairies of south central Oklahoma. Mostly to pursue our dream of raising Alpacas and living a more fulling, yet much more simple way of life.
Three years later we are still settling in and improving our 115 acres of pastures and pecan trees. Come by or give us a call, we'd love share with you all the possibilities Alpaca ownership
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Legacy Alpacas: Animals have been a life long passion for both of us. Craig was raised on a farm in southern Minnesota, and Michelle wished she had been! One of the things that we most enjoy together is our love of animals and the outdoors.
We know what is involved in starting and running a livestock operation. This is a full time working ranch. We handle all of our feeding and animal husbandry tasks ourselves. Working with new breeders and others in the industry is one of the most rewarding aspects of our business. Our goal and breeding program focuses on breeding for good solid conformation and healthy animals, as well as improving on the density, crimp and fineness of the fleece.
We firmly believe, that for the continued growth and sustained health of the North American Alpaca Herd, we must as breeders, shepherds and humans, keep the needs and well being of our animals in the forefront of our decision making and marketing programs. While promoting fairness and goodwill in the industry
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Legacy Alpacas: 1. Develop a sound business plan, and re-visit it often. If you have a road map
to follow you will have much less chance of getting lost.
2. Always take what you hear at shows and from other breeders with a grain of
salt. What works for them may not necessarily work for you.
3. Find a good Veterinarian, if there aren't any close by, find one that will work
with you and learn as much as you possibly can yourself.
4. Don't let the political attitudes and nonsense of others affect your beliefs or
plans.
5. Remember, you will always know where you stand with an animal....
AlpacaNation: What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?
Legacy Alpacas: At present, we have a breeders market in the alpaca industry. There is more demand than there is supply of animals at present, which will continue to keep the purchase price of breeding stock high. As the annual alpaca fiber clip rises, the cost of breeding stock will stabilize. This won't become a realization for quite a few more years due to the slow reproduction rate of the alpaca.
To keep the alpaca industry strong and productive in North America, we must focus more of our efforts on developing the fiber aspect of this business. Ultimately the alpaca is strictly a fiber producing animal in this country. And we as breeders should pool, sell or otherwise use our annual clip, while encouraging other breeders to do the same. When the supply of alpacas has met the demand for them, we will still have one of the most valuable and luxurious natural fibers on earth.
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