Re: [AlpacaTalk] WAS: spring mating/WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

 

I know this won't change anything, but it may make you feel better to know that ALL farmers are having similar problems today.  I took part in a really lengthy (and I mean it took me 6 weeks to fill out) survey for the USDA recently - actually, the survey taker and I completed it on Tuesday.  When she left, she told me that 97% of all the farms she'd surveyed (which, of course, would only be those in our WNY region) were running in the red and had been doing so for over a year.  It is her impression from what she has heard from other USDA surveyors that this is pretty  much the case throughout the country.  Alpaca breeders are not alone in trying to gouge out a living in this economic climate.  Only the largest commercial farms are profiting to any great extent and, in general, mid-size farms are minimally profiting.  Keep in mind aswell that THOSE farms - including the large commercial operations - have the advantage of fairly significant government subsidies to which we are not entitled.

 

I guess all I can suggest is that we keep on keeping on to the best of our ability, help one another as much as possible, and work together to contribute to an infrastructure that will enable our future to be more stable and sustainable than out present.  FWIW.....
 

Judith Korff

LadySong Farm Bolivian Suri Alpacas

Suri: Silk Without the Worm

Randolph, New York 14772 

Cell: (716) 499-0383

www.alpacanation.com/ladysong.asp

 

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From: "hrpufnstuf13@yahoo.com" <hrpufnstuf13@yahoo.com>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, March 9, 2011 3:31:27 PM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] WAS: spring mating/WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

 

I'm right there with you all...
I've already sold all my goats, the horses go this Sunday. My Komondor will have a new home in April, and the list just gets longer.
It seems as though all I do is wake up and cry.
I have a herd of 27, and by next fall I'll have 32. We're done breeding at this point.
We have booked farm visits already ( thank goodness ), but if they don't buy... We rarely get calls anymore or emails in regards to fiber or potential alpaca owners.
The shame of it all is that we have such exciting animals who are bred to some outstanding herdsires, and I'm no longer excited to see the results because I'm so consumed with finances.
The matching making, the research, the seeing the results of your own decision making has always been the fire that keeps me going. And on a personal level, it's been harder, and harder each year to be enthused.
It's a tough time for us all and we each have our stories. And still somehow I have faith that in some way, once the dust settles, the few of us who are able to maintain our herds, will slowly pick up the pieces and begin again.
Not sure if that'll be me, but I'm sure trying.

Wow, talk about flood gates... Geez.
Dede Crout
Dragonfly Alpacas LLC
Marydel, MD

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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From: Pia Al-Ubaidi <fioridelcamposuris@yahoo.com>

Sender: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com

Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 08:06:18 -0800 (PST)

To: <AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com>

ReplyTo: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [AlpacaTalk] WAS: spring mating/WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

 

Ah Janice, I do certainly feel for you.  I am in EXACTLY the same place as you with respect to your angst and worries about the business.  I too have had to come to the realization that I simply cannot afford to continue in the alpaca business and am looking at selling off my herd, or at least most of it.  I cannot tell you what that is like - it is almost like asking me to sell off my own children.  I am devastated, extremely depressed and am an emotional basket case.  Yes, things are bad for many breeders right now... and yes, if the economy doesn't begin to improve soon, it will become even more devastating to our industry.  Which is a darn shame, especially in light of the evolution that is taking place with the strong shift towards FIBER and the development of the North American commercial alpaca fiber industry taking place.  Look at what we are doing at CIABA with starting a whole new concept in showing fiber, judged solely on its merits for commercial purposes... and the Build A Tent Initiative... and the many other small organizations that are focused on fiber sorting, grading and processing.  Yes, it is a horrid time for us alpaca business people, but a horrible time to get out of the business as well as we see the sprouting of our commercial processing industry.   Oh what to do.  I know for a fact that many of us breeders are feeling the same way.  And I wish there was an easy answer... :-(   Peace and blessings, Pia Best regards,   Pia M. Al-Ubaidi, Owner Fiori del Campo Suri Alpacas, Cincinnati, Ohio Fiber Sorting and Grading Services Fiber Arts Instruction Artisanal Yarn and Garments www.fioridelcampo.com  Join us on Facebook - search Pia Masotta Al-Ubaidi Just a quick note to share my angst. <<snip>>I simply cannot afford another mouth to feed. <<SNIP>> I love my alpacas. But I just keep hanging on thinking surely things will pick up any day now. It has been years since my income was sufficient to justify having all these animals.  Janice

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