Hummer Country Cover Story

Mary Ann English of Sandy Ridge Alpacas was interviewed by
HC Writer Joanna Manning

With gorgeous long limbs, heavy-lidded eyes and slightly aloof expressions, they are the Greta Garbos of the camelid family.

“They are rather shy and usually prefer to be alone, but every one has a different personality, part of their attraction,” says Mary-Ann English of the 50 alpacas she owns at Sandy Ridge Alpacas, near Ottawa, Ontario. These natives of the Andes, from Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia, are gaining in popularity in Canada as an entrepreneurial farming enterprise. A long-term investment, for breeding or for fibre production, they do not need elaborate housing or feeding. Depending on the quality of pasture available, one acre can support up to eight animals.

Mary–Ann has been a fan of these gentle animals for many years, first managing a herd, now for seven years the proud owner of her own growing ‘family’. “My reason for getting into alpacas was their appeal and potential. It ’s a serious business for me, “ she says. “I’m constantly looking for new stock, aiming to improve, to breed better females for better quality fibre.”

Alpacas are very popular in western Canada, increasingly in Ontario and Quebec. Currently many are imported from their original countries via New Zealand.

Intelligent, curious and observant, alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years. Never beasts of burden, alpacas were cherished by the Incas. Only royalty was allowed to wear garments made from the fleece and depictions of them are found in Inca art. Their soft fibre is one of the world’s most luxurious. Warmer and stronger than wool, comparable to cashmere, it can be knitted and woven and comes in 22 natural colours or shades.

Mary-Ann and husband Jim moved to Curran in the rolling countryside of the lower Ottawa valley to leave urban life. The 26-acre alpaca farm is basically her ‘job’; Jim works in Ottawa and shares alpaca duty on weekends.

Alpacas are quite easy to care for. One remarkable feature of these intelligent animals is their utilization of communal dung piles. The females tend to all “go at the same time”; one uses the heap and the rest come along and join her. Cleanup is very easy. The manure is eco-friendly and can be spread on vegetable and flowers gardens without additions.

Housing needs are minimal. A three-sided shelter providing shelter from cold winds and hot sun fulfils basic needs. Because alpacas tend to stay with their herd they do not require heavy fencing. With their soft, padded feet, they do little or no damage to pasture, another environmentally friendly plus.

Although Mary-Ann’s main focus is as a breeder, she also sells the alpaca fleece. “They are graded and any under 20 microns are as soft as cashmere”, she says.
“The fibre makes wonderful sweaters, blankets, duvets and can be felted for floor coverings.”

Alpaca females are induced ovulators, ovulating only when approached by a male. First pregnancy is usual at 14 to 24 months of age. As each pregnancy takes approximately 11 months and they are bred yearly, this means they are pregnant for most of their reproductive life.

Because of induced ovulation, alpacas can breed in any season. In Canada the babies, called crias, are generally born in September, enabling them to be ready for shearing in the spring before the hot weather. Crias are usually born between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This goes back to their origins in the Andes, when it was important for the babies to be dry before the cold nights set in. Healthy babies can be up and nursing an hour after birth.

Caring for a herd is relatively trouble-free. During winter each animal needs 700 to 850 grams of good quality hay a day, plus a special supplement to ensure health and fleece quality. With the exception of rabies inoculations other health care, including toenail trimming and de-worming, can be done by an owner.

Not all alpaca owners purchase them for breeding. Many are looking to the growing fibre industry, choosing to market unprocessed fibres to weavers, spinners or fibre artists, spinning their own or having it commercially processed by a local mill. Others own alpacas for companions. With their gentle disposition alpacas get along well with farm and domestic animals.

Alpacas can be boarded for owners without sufficient acreage. Another service Mary-Ann offers, currently having about 40 alpacas boarding at Sandy Ridge. Tours are available and WWOOF-ers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) are welcomed.

Well into her stride with alpacas, Mary-Ann’s plans include experimenting to produce her own felt to create more products such as finer clothing and rugs, combining creativity with good business practice.

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Sandy Ridge Alpacas
1301 Concession 7
Curran, Ontario.
e-mail: sandyridgealpacas@hotmail.com
phone: 613.673.4285 / 877.231.4395

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