Re: [AlpacaTalk] Alpacas...........beyond fiber

 

There is a very lively market for alpaca meat, which is extremely lean, cholesterol free and very healthy food. While I haven't tasted it myself, the repeat customers of those who are selling it would seem to testify to its high quality and flavor. I know that older animals are typically harvested for ground meat, sausage or jerky. Younger animals yield steak, loin, sausage, ground and jerky. The average size adult alpaca apparently dressed out at around 90 pounds. 

To date, the majority if the alpacas slaughtered in our area have been culled primarily because of behavioral issues rather than lack of productiveness. As the meat market grows, however, and input costs to raise and maintain adults fail to decrease, the farmer must weigh the benefit of maintaining that animal for fiber over culling it for meat sale and making room for a better producing animal. 

Judith Korff

LadySong Farm

Randolph, NY

(716) 499-0383

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 10, 2013, at 4:46 PM, Laura Roberts <lauraroberts518@gmail.com> wrote:

 

     If I were to buy alpaca meat or have any of my older, non-producing animals processed for meat, it would be for pet food, most likely.  I would never knowingly have a diseased animal processed, but even an older or infirm animal has meat to be had on it. I am thinking the end product may be similar to deer meat........but I don't know for sure.

     I can't see anyone raising these animals primarily for meat, but as a secondary outlet.  

     As with any animal.........be it horse, alpaca, goat, sheep..........I would rather they be processed and fed to those wanting/needing it then to see them suffer due to inadequate feed, care, shelter, etc.  

Laura

On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 3:41 PM, Suzi Dubay <powderpuffpacas@gmail.com> wrote:

 

I have remained mute on this topic so far, but now I have to begin asking questions.  I understand the whole livestock plan and lifecycle.  While I'm not a meat-eater, I understand and support it, as long as the animals are treated humanely.

 

My question revolves more around the issue of slaughtering those animals that are older or infirm, not producing young, not producing great fiber.  Are those animals appropriate for the meat industry?  Wouldn't you have a much better meat product using those animals that are younger, healthier, and less................grizzly for a lack of better description?

 

And let's say that you are producing alpacas for each of the alpacaworld facits, show, fiber, manure, meat, etc., wouldn't you be selecting those animals that don't product the best fiber as your meat offering?  And that being the case, that still leaves us the old and infirm.

 

You can see that I go around and around about this in my mind -- Your thoughts?

 

 

 

Suzi Dubay

Powder Puff Pacas

Lenox, MI

586-295-7105

On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 12:49 PM, Laura Roberts <lauraroberts518@gmail.com> wrote:

 

 am not trying to start a war, but we have to be realistic about animals that need to be fed and many farms inability to do that, due to job losses, illness or whatever.

     Alpacas have been classified as LIVESTOCK, which is why we are able to make them an agriculture business venture, however, many alpaca breeders want to consider them "Exotics" yet take advantage of the "Livestock" classification.  

     I personally think many alpaca breeders have a romantic view of alpacas and can't/won't even consider them being used for food livestock, yet sheep and goats are considered fiber and food all the time.

     My friend has been researching different meat processing businesses to learn more about alpaca slaughter.  For some, feeding animals that no longer produce young or good fiber, is folly and despite the sentiment, must make unpopular decisions. 

     I have nothing against slaughter, provided it is done as humanely as possible and in an environment that does consider animal welfare.

     I raise chickens, turkeys and guineas and five years ago, intended to keep every animal on our farm, despite its age or contribution to our farm.  TODAY, I am more realistic and realize we cannot afford to feed turkeys until their old age, or roosters that do nothing but cause havoc.  My dh and I processed our first turkeys this year and believe it or not, it was not the horror I thought it would be.  In fact, taking care of old, sick, injured or debilitated animals is a much more horrific task.  We were calm and treated our birds with respect and compassion.  They were calm and not frightened when the deed was done and while I will NEVER enjoy killing an animal, I felt a certain amount of pride that I hatched them, I fed and raised them in a healthy environment and they free ranged happily for many months of their life--they were sheltered and taken care of until the day they died and they died being respected and cared about.

     So, I guess the point I am making is that slaughter does not have to be the evil many think it is.  Their lives served a purpose and so did their deaths..........and that is an honorable thing, imo.

    Also, btw, I feed my dogs raw and we buy from a company out of Conn.  They have many products for sale and one regular item is llama meat.  I have not seen alpaca meat, but possibly sometime in the future.  

Laura

R Half Pint Farm

Spotsylvania, VA

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