Re: [AlpacaTalk] Marketing
Hi John! Welcome to AlpacaTalk!
Right now, most of us are in the same boat. The economy stinks and
there's no telling when it will improve. I'm proud to say that I have
never purchased from a large farm. On my family's combined family farm
we have 50-60 alpacas at the moment, and we're at full capacity in
space and the amount of labor we can actually do. I have sold a few
animals, but that hasn't been for a few years. Each of the animals I
sold went to small farms and a couple of fiber boys went to a fiber
artist's fiber herd. That's the best scenario I can imagine for my
babies. I would hate for them to go to large factory/mill farms where
they don't get personalized, individual attention each and every day.
We personally bowl feed each of our animals, I know if something is
different about them from one day to the next. That's the advantage of
small farms. And, our production dams are every bit as good or better
than those you see on some "large farms" sites for sale at $20k+! I'm
not kidding.
My apologies, that was really walking the tightrope on advertising.
Back to the point. :) I do expect the economy to improve. I do expect
more new breeders to come into the business, especially after the WSJ
story.
In my opinion (and many others who I've been speaking with) part of the
problem is AOBA. They make it so hard for small breeders to compete.
The yearly dues is tough enough for some to part with, now we don't get
Alpacas Magazine as a benefit of our membership like we used to, we no
longer have access to the membership directory in an excel sheet, you
have to pay $1500 or $5000 for that benefit. If we don't participate in
FRG or Herdsire edition, we have to wait 45 days for leads, and then we
have to 3 times or more, what those breeders with deep pockets pay, and
they get them fresh and new! That system was set up by greedy selfish
"old boys network", it's just like so many other industries where the
little guy is squeezed out. It makes a lot of people really angry, and
many people refuse to do business with those greedy bullies who set up
the system to benefit themselves and their pals. And, I say we all have
that option.
We have really nice animals who do well at shows, and we don't pay
$2500-10k on breedings. We do invest in our own sires, and we trade
breedings to get the bloodlines we want. I have so many offers for
breeding trades to really nice boys, that I will go another year
without using my own DRG boy!
I am outspoken and it gets me in trouble sometimes, but I get so many
private emails in support whenever I do speak up on an issue. I know
what "the masses" are thinking and feeling. And we want fairness in the
pricing of membership benefits from AOBA. We want AOBA to work for us,
like it's supposed to!
Gosh, sorry for the rant! So, I guess my answer is wait out the
economy, do business with small farms who know each animal by name and
who care for each one every day.
I'm sure we'll hear from the large farm POV, but the little guys are
"tired of paying for the rich man's party" as one small breeder related
to me just a few days ago. And the thing is, we don't have to. We can
support other small farms. We can help each other in building and
running our businesses. We don't have to shop at Walmart, we can
support the local family owned grocer, drug store, hardware store.
And, I'm finally committed to making my own products from my alpacas'
fleeces. I will have good income from my studio, making one of a kind
art pieces and handmade garments...
Heather
Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Creswell, OR
541.895.0964
Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece
http://www.whitelot
http://tech.
On Nov 7, 2008, at 8:25 AM, John and Cinda wrote:
> We have built a small herd into an average size herd (33) and now need
> to sell. That is the rub; where do you find potential buyers? Are
> there specific sites? I know this is asking to "cut into" your
> possible sales but we need to get our numbers down and bills caught
> up! Thanks for any help you may have. We are in west central Ohio and
> it seems the buyers always drift north and northwest to the huge
> farms. How does a small farm compete? Perhaps we have something you
> are looking for?
>
> Thanks so much,
>
> john
> JOHN and LUCINDA LEUGERS
> WINDY MEADOW FARM
> Suri Alpacas and Great Pyrenees
> New Bremen, Ohio 45869
> 419-394-3880
> www.windymeadow.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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posted by Chaddo at 9:13 AM
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