Are you just new to alpacas? If so click here.

Dear Alan and Jude,  

"I was recommending your “Thrive or Survive in the Alpaca Industry” Seminar less than 24 hours after returning home.  The seminar was fast-paced, enriching and concise.  Whether a seasoned breeder or a person in the decision making stage, the weekend was filled with valuable information.  Sharing the joy of laughter, fabulous food, meeting old friends and making new ones was an added bonus."   Thank You   Juanita DeSisto

www.alpacasbydesign.com
Featuring SuriSculptures
Renton, WA
425-432-1138

OUR SEMINAR PHILOSOPHY:

We think people coming into the alpaca industry have five main questions that need solid answers before they will commit to one of the largest financial outlays they will ever make. They are:

1. What do I buy?                                                    Linda Buttolph
2. How do I select and breed it?                          Stoneyridge Alpacas
3. How do I sell it?
4. How do I run an alpaca business and farm?

And last but not least:

5. How long will it last?

We believe we have the answers to all of these questions. We have been farming alpacas now for 15 years. We have participated in the Australian industry since 1991. In the US since 1994. We have exported alpacas from Australia to New Zealand, Canada and the US.

We’ve visited the home of alpacas in Peru several times. We have witnessed the industry in all the alpaca countries grow. We have participated at the highest levels of politics in Australia. Jude has judged all over the world. In short we’ve seen thousands of alpacas and know hundreds of alpaca breeders all over the world. And even more importantly we have participated in and have not been afraid to look at other livestock industries to evaluate what it takes to succeed in those industries.

Jan 2006 Thrive Seminar ......all pics this page

       Alexis Secka                 Class time                  Dave De Groot

  Sweet Water Alpacas                                       Double Dutch Farm

Those industries are hundreds of years old, are commercial and are far, far, bigger than our small alpaca world. How can Wal Merryman of Merryville Merino Stud in Australia get the highest prices for his rams and ewes (often in excess of alpaca prices!), although there are 200 million merino sheep in Australia! How does Te Mania Angus Stud and their US affiliates dominate that angus industry world wide?

Yes, you are right we are not breeding sheep or cattle. BUT! Whether its fish and chips, a hair dressing salon, or a farm, it takes skills esoteric to the industry guided by good fundamental business practice to succeed.

We can show you, through our series of seminars, especially the "Thrive or Survive in the Alpaca Industry", how to choose a niche within our industry based on business principals that will give you a chance to thrive in this industry. We’ll show you how to select to that niche and breed to get the best results. And we’ll actually show you how to market the animals and sell the animals.

We'll show you in the "Planning For Profit in the Alpaca Industry" seminar, with expert help via CPA's and financial advisors who own alpacas, how to organise and structure your alpaca business. How to breed and farm alpacas to make the most of the opportunities in this immature but exciting industry.

            Cindy Harris                     Fleece classing!

        Alpacas at Windy Hill             

         Steve Hall                 

Music to the Ears Alpacas

More importantly than any of this we will show you why you might want to use us and our netwrok farms as your mentors. How we can actually help you succeed in an industry that does require a particular set of skills to master the trade! We’ll introduce you to our client support package.

We will help you put together herd plans that just may help you thrive – not just survive - even if these current high prices do not last! There are examples all over the world. You just need to know where to look and who to listen to!