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The kids are gone, the house is too big, and
we want a change! Does this sound like you? Let me add to
this if I have yet to describe you. We each have Graduate
Degrees, Sue as a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Professor,
and, me (Tom) as a Hospital Administrator. We have been in
health care for 30+ years and I am no longer excited by long
hours, corporate intrigue and a great income (pre-tax), and
she is no longer enamored with early morning clinics, late
night paper reviews, and income that is not commensurate with
her commitment. Sounding familiar? Sound like you? Read on.
In October of 2004 after considerable research, visiting
alpaca ranches, attending alpaca business seminars and drafting
business plans, we purchased two maiden females and in November
we purchased two pregnant maidens— we're in the business!
Well sort of, we next had to find a place to put them! Sue
has always had the better eye for the potential of a property
and after having looked at literally dozens of properties,
she convinced me that she had found the perfect place: 4300
Hansen Road in Loomis CA.
We bought it and in January of '05 moved in to the future
home of "Alpacas All Around." The first order of
business was to design the farm layout: how should the paddocks
be oriented, what kind of shelter would we need, where should
the shelter be sited, how would we move the alpacas from one
paddock to the other with minimal effort? After dozens of
drawings we came up with a plan that appeared to meet all
of our needs—now finding someone to build it. That person
was Lyndon Short. Lyndon is a master builder, familiar with
farm systems for sheep and cattle, and very patient—perfect
for two novice alpaca farmers.
We explained to Lyndon that key for us was ease of animal
movement and animal separation. Lyndon took our simple plans
and turned them into something that we believe is unique and
perfect for us. A 40 x 60 pole barn structure, fully enclosed
on three sides, with a four foot high wall on the remaining
(West) side, with loafing areas on three sides. The barn has
an office/vet room, hay and grain storage, 6 pens and the
ability to move animals from one end to the next by simply
opening and closing gates. We also designed a weighing station
between two of the pens to make routine weighing easier.
We now have nine alpacas, six adults and three cria, two
more cria are scheduled for mid November and a third in May
of 2006. The barn is now complete, as are all of the paddocks
(11 total).
What have we learned? We should have done this years ago!
Yes, it has been hard work, but it has been rewarding work.
We enjoy the lifestyle, and we have met many wonderful people
who share in our passion for producing quality animals. Curious,
do some research, visit a ranch, call or visit us! Take that
first step to a new and different life. We believe "Life
is better with Alpacas all Around." —Tom Petersen
It's been a little over a year since the animals arrived.
We and the girls are very happy with our completed barn and
pastures. With all of the storms and rain last winter, all
were comfy, warm and dry. My only complaint: they turned one
of our stalls into a poop box! We have not been able to stop
that, but we have discovered that framing a small area with
2 boards, they do make every attempt to confine their droppings
to the designated area.
Notice that I always refer to our animals as "girls".
That is because; we have had a tremendous year - 5 crias,
and 5 HEATHLY FEMALES!! We have had our trials; not making
sure the cria got all of the colostrum needed within the first
6 hours, so off to Michelle Ing DVM for a transfusion. But
what the heck, what's a few hundred bucks when you are talking
about a $20,000 animal? The older girls are now rebred. We
are anxiously awaiting our fall birthing season, with offspring
from ½ Accoyo male, Snowhawke, and the luscious black
Cherry Garcia of Alpacas del Valle Cereza, Royal Cappuccino
of Spring Hill Alpacas, and Sir Cinnamon, the gorgeous son
of the legendary 4Peruvian Legacy.
As we started having cria, we pondered over how we would
come up with distinguished and meaningful names. As I watched
the irises of "Yarda's Ditch Water Iris Farm" bloom
from my kitchen window, I learned that irises have registered
names the same as alpacas. So, we have decided to name each
cria after an iris. Hence the names, Princess of Pandora,
Devenshire Cream, Winter Pearl, Yosemite Sam, and Chelsea.
We will plant an iris for each cria born with the same name.
When the cria sells we will provide the new owner with an
iris of the same name as a token of our appreciation for their
business. Additionally, we will always have a way to remember
the miraculous cria that have come into our lives. It has
also been great having a means to integrate our new life with
that of our new neighbors, Eric and Yarda Hansen.
We will be forever grateful to our mentors in the alpacas
business. When buying our first alpacas we put our faith into
Lisa Shimeld and Brad Johnson, (Alpacas del Valle Cereza)
to find us the very best animals for our money, and that they
did. Dennis and Bea Miller (Alpaca Palms) were incredible
in showing us the ropes at the shows and making us feel safe
in this new and sometimes scary life of alpaca farming. Nat
and Jeff Bromstead of Alpacas de la Luna graciously gave us
the opportunity for hands on experiences before our girls
came home. Kevin and Lisa Newsome of Black Pearl Alpacas have
always been there to share the hiccoughs and laughter as fellow
newbies in the business. And last, but not least, our amazing
vet, Michelle Ing. We are truly blessed, and spoiled, having
the best camelid vet in California live so close to us. Our
animals are extremely healthy, and receive the finest medical
care whenever the slightest problem arises. Since joining
our local alpaca group Alpacas Gold Association, we have become
part of an incredible supportive family, who provides us with
constant ways to learn and love these breathtaking creatures
of South America. Life has been great with Alpacas All Around
in year 1.
Our original plan of breeding for color to develop a superior
herd of primarily black and white alpacas is becoming a reality.
Our second successful and profitable birthing season, gave
us two females, and two males. Our new females: Vanity's Child
is white; Brandy is a bay black. We finally had our first
male. And then were lucky enough to have a second to keep
the first company. Our first white male, we named Skyhawke.
He is from the stately sire, AVC Snowhawke. The second male,
a luscious deep dark brown, came from our black dam, Raindrop.
His name is Reignman, and he is out of AVC Domingo. With their
genetics, and all those curly shiny locks, they both show
promise as future herd sires. The only down side of this story
is that all of our purchase breedings are used; we have 10
breedings to pay for this year. OUCH!! Our attentions are
now aimed towards making breeding decisions that will enhance
and improve the quality of fleece with each generation. We
are off to a great start!
We still have much to learn and accomplish. Because there
are so many opportunities to gain knowledge and advance in
this business, it is hard to get discouraged. We have already
enjoyed many fruits of our labor. For the first time in years,
instead of writing a big check in April, we received money
back from our taxes! Agisting and providing birthing services
paid for a lot of hay. Our girls have grown and are now ready
to be sold. Being a fleece industry, we are presently challenged
with keeping the burrs out of our pasture, and from taking
over our animals' fleece. Hopefully, lush pastures and lots
of mowing, will take care of that this year. Witnessing the
miracle of birth is always mesmerizing. Out of 9 births, 8
have been healthy crias. We had one severe dystocia, but caught
it in plenty of time to get to Dr. Ing's and deliver a fantastic
female cria. Once recovered from the traumatic birth, both
mom and babe have done well and mom is again pregnant. I have
started making my own cria coats, with longer belly bands
so the cria don't grow out of them so quickly. Last summer
I put 2 of our yearlings in the van and drove to Bend, Oregon,
to attend a 4 day Marty McGee-Bennet clinic. I will soon have
my Camelidynamics Handler Seal to display with pride on the
web site. Showing has not been a priority because most of
our herd is pregnant, but we have gone to 2 shows. Our "wall
of fame", which shows off all those ribbons and trophies,
is still in the planning stage. We do have a small handful
of ribbons to get it started. Tom and I are enjoying participating
in many alpaca functions of our local and state organizations.
It is a pleasure to become involved with the people in this
business, which because of their varied backgrounds, make
this industry so rich in knowledge and expertise. We are looking
forward to many productive years ahead.
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