By Lauren Wanko
Correspondent
They need to cool off in this hot weather like the rest of us. At Arrow Acres Farm alpacas are getting a shower of sorts.
“They love the water! They love the sprinkler they love the hose,” said Co-owner Dee Sherman.
Nearly four dozen alpacas roam the Wall Township farm, feeding on grass and munching on carrots. The Alpaca Owners Association indicates there are 5,105 registered alpacas in New Jersey. They’re members of the camelid family, which includes camels, llamas and a couple other varieties.
“There are two types of alpacas — these are huacayo, or the fuzzy ones, and then the other ones have long dreadlocks, they’re the suris,” said Co-Owner Don Sherman.
“It’s surprising how many people actually think emos are alpacas. They always get them confused. Of course alpacas and llamas, they get confused as well and they don’t know what they’re for. That’s what most people ask me — what do you do with them?” Dee said.
The family-run farm uses the animals for their fleece, which comes in a variety of natural colors.
“White to black and everything in between,” Don said.
Their daughters manage the knitting and retail operation. After an alpaca’s sheared — typically in May — its fleece is sent to the fiber mill. Roving is often sent back to the farm, which is spun into yarn.
“With my feet, I’m treadling, spinning the wheel. That is putting twists into the fiber and you can see when I let go, the twists run right up the fiber and this is making yarn,” said Liz Alvino.
Leanne Coppola knits hats, gloves, sweaters and more.
“It’s different than wool because it doesn’t have lanolin in it, which sheep has lanolin, that’s what people are usually allergic to. It’s fine material, it breathes better than wool, it’s very warm but you don’t get hot in it,” said Coppola.
Arrow Acres began breeding their alpacas when they opened their farm in 2010. Dee and her family say they’re trying to reproduce a popular, sought after color — rose gray. Smoke Ring here, who’s very hungry, is one of their sires and he’s father to about 10 alpacas. He’ll start breeding again this fall.
How much do Alpaca’s go for? “A good breeding animal on average, averages between $10,000 and $20,000. There are some that are a lot more than that,” Dee said.
Others can range from $500 to a couple thousand dollars, says Dee. They typically live for about 20 years. There are six babies on this farm. Many of the alpacas have won first place and championships in shows. Their ribbons are proudly displayed.
“A lot of people just find it to be really, really fascinating. They are really nice animals, they’re easy to take care of and you get a great product from them,” Don said.
These babies should have another alpaca to play with soon. A mom-to-be is expected to give birth this fall.