alpacas: Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Help, I need advice on replacing my girls after the dog ...

not debating here, just listing some of our experiences....

At least half of our animals sold have been to buyers living outside of Ohio. Several have been west coasters looking specifically for Ohio farms, knowing that we have plentiful full Peruvian and different full Peruvian lines that are not common out west. Many of them sold sight unseen over the internet and some to buyers who traveled to Ohio knowing that they could visit many farms in a short period of time.

I realize that port of export means nothing as to the quality of an animal or to its actual country of birth...but the bottom line in some marketing is the 'label' printed on the ARI. Just like 'Nike' or Addidas.....some people are all about labels. Of course even with a label, the quality must also be there to a discerning buyer.

Carolyn

In a message dated 6/17/2009 9:40:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, mam2@wi.rr.com writes:

Carolyn - after experiencing what I did during Nationals I can commiserate with you that for you Peruvians are the only way to go. The stigmatism associated with Peruvian in that area is epidemic. One of the greatest advocates of the Peruvian myth is Anthony Stakowski. A likable guy but adamant that Peruvian is the only Alpaca the rest are dinner fare. Why do I bring him up? Well his whites lost the all show color grand champion to a black. After Anthony was certain he lost to one of the first all black Peruvians. He was dismayed to find out it was Chilean. To keep me honest the animal was Dark Shaddow.

Now I agree you are not using inferior animals for breeding and would not suggest that, but to dismiss the quality of an animal based strictly on is Port of Export is a poor breeding selection in anybodies book.

Let's be real about this, Country of Origin and Port of Export mean the same thing as terms, but the marketing is based upon Port of Export as the same as Country of Origin and that may most likely not be true especially if you understand the Altiplano and the real lack of confinement and marked borders. Animals move between countries in that area very fluidly. Again we are down to one or two disciplined breeding programs in these countries.

So when we talk about a niche of "Peruvian" Alpacas let us understand that it is only a niche, a marketing perception, and not a trait of quality or of the Alpaca, just the Port of Export....:) I would go out on a limb not having seen your animals, but would bet that your perception of attaining a higher average price for Peruvians is simply a representation of finer animals compared to others that happen to have a different Port of Export.

I know Chilean and Bolivian animals that sell very easily and command higher prices than their Peruvian kin. But I must agree, in Ohio, if you want to make an easier sale you better be selling Peruvian, otherwise you have some real work ahead of you. The rest of the country is not quite that prejudiced.

Thank you Carolyn for the insights, Michael
Michael and Margery A. Morack
Greenbriar Farm
Waukesha, WI

--- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com, sesamedame@... wrote:
>
> I can only speak from our farm's personal experience. We live in
> 'little Peru' and have sold nearly 200 animals in our 9 years of business.
> We've sold locally as well as across the country. We've sold full Peruvians
> as well as mixes, both suri and huacaya. We have found that full Peruvian
> on the average sells easier and for a premium compared to equal quality
> mixes that we've sold. We've actually seen considerably fewer 'hits' on our
> AlpacaNation listings that are not full Per. as compared to similar animals
> that are full.
>
> Do I think full Peruvians are better quality.....NO. Have I seen mixed
> males that I admired, but have passed over them because they are not full
> Peruvian .....yes.
>
> Does that mean I used an inferior full Peruvian male instead......don't
> think so. There are plenty of full Peruvian bloodlines out there with
> excellent qualities to breed my girls to.
>
> We are full time alpaca farmers and must sell animals and breedings to
> make a living. We find more marketing opportunities with the full
> Peruvians. Perhaps that's just our particular 'niche'. It works for us and we
> certainly don't 'bash' non full Peruvians. We have 4 mix suri females.
>
> If mixes sell for you......that's a good thing and I'd go with it. For
> us, we obviously go with what has been easier and more successful for us.
> We figure our animals will appeal to a broader market. Haven't met
> any customer yet that will turn down an animal just because it's full
> Peruvian, but we certainly have had customers that WILL turn down an animal if
> it's not. Whether you're into full anything or mixes......I think quality
> is HUGE! With today's economy and the competitive market, good looking,
> high quality will appeal most to customers.
>
> There's a huge range of customers out there.......go with whatever works
> for you.
>
> (reading this before posting.....I use the term mix, but I actually mean
> non-full-Peruvian be it Chilean, Bolivian or mix)
>
> Carolyn Marquette,
>
> PartyLite Gifts _PartyLite.com_ (http://partylite.com/en-us/Default.aspx)
>
> _Carolyn Marquette`s personal website_
> (http://www.partylite.biz/sites/carolynm)
>
>
>
> The AlpacaRosa _www.TheAlpacaRosa.com_ (http://www.thealpacarosa.com/)
> 2251 Sesame St
> Mogadore, OH 44260
> 330-699-2182
> 330-618-9769 cell
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