ALPACAS - “The Green Livestock”
Mother Nature has equipped alpacas to be one of the “greenest” animals on earth. You can raise a whole herd of alpacas without leaving much of a hoof print on the environment. Here are a few reasons why alpacas are so Earth-friendly:
Naturally Colorful – Alpaca fleece comes in more than 20 different natural tones. So artisans don’t need to rely upon harsh dyes in order to create beautiful clothing and accessories.
Surprisingly Clean – Unlike sheep, alpacas don’t have lanolin in their fleece. That means you won’t need to resort to chemicals to remove the grease before you take their fleece to market.
Weatherproof – Because alpacas were forced to adapt to a harsh climate in their native South America, they have developed fleece that repels water, protects against the sun and provides plenty of warmth on chilly nights. It’s hard to replicate this combination of features with a synthetic fiber. What’s more, alpaca fleece is lighter, warmer and softer than wool. This makes it an ideal substitute for wool and many man-made materials that require energy and other resources to manufacture.
Light on Their Feet – Alpacas have soft pads on the bottom of their feet. Their feet don’t compact the soil like heavy hooves. Softer soil allows young grass to flourish, which keeps America (and your pastures) green.
Neat Eaters – With teeth on the bottom front, a split lip and a figure-eight style of chewing, alpacas actually cut the grass as they eat, rather than pulling it up by the root like other animals. This means pastures are easier to sustain, without the need for frequent re-seeding and fertilizing.
Super Poopers – Speaking of fertilizer, alpacas place their dung in communal piles, which reduces parasite infestations in pastures. Plus, their manure is a rich natural fertilizer for gardens and other landscaping.
If you’re looking for livestock that’s easy to raise and easy on the environment, you can’t go wrong with alpacas.
