Research pays off for Indiana alpaca farmers

SEYMOUR, Ind. — When Juvonda and Ed Jones first considered raising alpacas, they wanted to do their research before buying the first animal.

“We visited probably 25 alpaca farms,” said Ed, who gives the same advice to others leaning toward the unconventional farm animal. “You need to do your research and find a farm to mentor you.”

The Joneses visited large and small alpaca farms and saw a range of farming styles and locations before deciding how to approach their venture.

They have been raising alpacas for almost two years and have 16 animals, but it’s still a part-time business that they hope can become more.

Ed, 52, works full time for North Vernon Beverage, and Juvonda, 55, works 20 hours a week in the office at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Seymour.

Their 26-acre farm is in the far western portion of Jennings County, not far from the Jackson County town of Reddington.

The Joneses say they gave up their dream home to buy the farm and build a barn so they could raise the alpacas in a setting with a large, fenced-in pasture, pond and guard dogs to protect their investment.

“We fell in love with the alpacas,” Juvonda said. “This is what we want to do.”

The Joneses liked the idea of having a small farm together in their retirement and raising the alpacas.

They found the alpacas to be docile and curious. Ed and Juvonda can step into their pens and the alpacas will gather around, nudging them or softly humming, the only noises they make.

Daily work includes about an hour in the morning and hour at night feeding and watering, plus general cleanup and making sure the animals have clean bedding and surroundings.

They are sheared once a year and need occasional medical care and nails trimmed. When babies, called crias, are born, the mothers might need assistance. The crias also might need to be bottle fed for a time.

Tom Flanagan, president of the Indiana Alpaca Association, said the recession brought down the price of alpacas, but the industry is still growing.

Indiana has about 125 registered alpaca farms with about six in Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Brown counties.

Nationwide, about 225,000 alpacas are registered, and Ohio has the largest number of farms with 1,700, Flanagan said.

Flanagan, who lives in Fortville and raises alpacas, agrees with the Joneses that doing research upfront is essential before starting an alpaca farm.

“Visit as many farms as you can and be absolutely clear about your business plan,” Flanagan said.

Alpacas have a growing appeal for many, Flanagan said, especially now with the sustainability movement, since alpacas are easy on the environment with soft, padded feet and manure that can be used for fertilizer. Their fiber also can be used for many textile products.

The Joneses see several options for making money with the alpacas.

They can sell the fiber, which draws a higher price than wool because it doesn’t have lanolin, making it hypoallergenic.

Juvonda also is a spinner and weaver, turning the fiber into yarn and crafts that she sells at a small shop inside the barn at their home business called Hoosier Heartland Alpacas.

Alpaca owners also sell their animals and offer breeding services.

The cost of the animals varies greatly, but the Joneses currently have animals for sale from $400 to $8,000. Costs can increase if the animals earn honors at alpaca shows.

Juvonda said it’s important for people wanting to get into the alpaca business to network with other alpaca farmers.

She and Ed correspond with other alpaca owners on various alpaca websites and on Facebook and talk at various shows and breeder gatherings.