Alpacas as Livestock
Livestock Model -- Modified!
So, what IS a LIVESTOCK MODEL?
(and why is it Modified?)
Since 2007, alpacas are considered livestock by the state
of Texas, and since 2008, alpacas are considered livestock
by the federal government.
Think of an equilateral triangle, with a point at the top,
and graduating sides angling down to the bottom points.
SEED STOCK
The top tier of this triangle is occupied by the smallest
group of suri alpacas, called SEED STOCK. This is the TOP
quality males and females used for breeding, that will improve
the future generations of both Fleece and Conformation. Fleece
produced from these animals should be quite fine, and be used
in next-to-the-skin garments or yarn.
MULTIPLIER
This tier is composed of breeding females, and some of the
nicer quality males, who have very nice conformation and fleece,
but don't reach the Seed Stock level of excellence. These
animals may still have lovely fleece. Also in this group are
some older-generation Seed Stock who are no longer the top
of the line, but still quite nice.
FIBER HERDS
This will be the largest group of suri alpacas, as our North
American suri herd grows. This will be the basis of the commercial
suri alpaca fiber industry. Suris in this group will be mostly
non-breeders (geldings, and a few non-breeding females). This
group of mostly males can easily have very nice fiber, but
have been gelded because they don't meet the highest standards
of density and/or conformation. Also, in general, these males
have less veterinary needs, and a bit less maintenance, as
there is no breeding involved.
MODIFIED!
The great MODIFICATION is that instead of a typical livestock
model that includes slaughter, the fiber is harvested every
year, and the suri lives on to produce more fleeces for years
to come.
As our suri fiber industry grows, there is room for all the
different levels of suri alpacas in the North American suri
industry!
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