Tehachapi News

Local alpacas shorn

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The Field Of Dreams Alpacas ranch in Cummings Valley held their shearing on May 30, 2009.  The annual event is free and open to the public and enjoyed this year by visitors from Tehachapi, Bakersfield, Lancaster and even the Los Angeles area.

The family ranch is owned and operated by Amy and Quint Stewart, with their delightful children pitching in to do many of the chores.  "They're hard workers and really do their share," Amy reported.

This year's shearing team included men from Hemet and Fresno.  Graciano was the main shearer, and he used the most common method of shearing which was absolutely fascinating to watch.

In this method, each alpaca is led into the barn and then gently laid down on its side.  The legs are extended front and back and secured by small holding straps fastened just above the hooves to provide effiency and safety for the animal and the shearer.

Graciano first took a sample of the fiber from the center of one side, which was put into a lableled bag to be sent to a laboratory.  A test called a histogram will be run on each sample, giving a micro count of how fine the fibers are along with the health history and overall fitness of each animal.

Next, Graciano began shearing at the base of the neck, working down and back and then coming up and over to the other side removing the "blanket fleece."  This is the area which would be covered by a blanket draped over the animal's back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.  It's the most highly prized part of the fleece, with the highest quaity of softness and length of fiber. 

The neck and upper legs were shorn next, for a slightly lower grade of useable fiber.

Finally, the lower legs, center belly and tail area were shorn.  The fiber from this last part of the alpaca is usually discarded.  It tends to be more soiled and has a lot of what is called "guard hair."  Guard hairs stand out from the surrounding fibers and are likely to be longer, straighter, coarser and sometimes more brittle.  With extra work, these fibers can be used for practice projects, or for yarn to be used in articles in which high grade softness and quality are not an issue.

Each grade of hair is bundled or bagged seperately for accurate labeling and later use.

After the shearing was done, any needed shots were administered and the animal was gently helped to it's feet and led back to the pasture.

When asked how tired he is at the end of a day of shearing alpacas, Graciano grinned and replied, "Not as tired as when I shear sheep.  Sheep take more muscle."  The average alpaca weighs around 150 pounds and tends to be relatively relaxed during shearing.

Amy explained that in milder climates alpaca can be shorn several times a year, but here in Tehachapi, the alpaca ranchers only shear once a year in late spring to allow the animals to re-grow their coat for warmth during the winter.

Many of the participants also visited the ranch store (open Sat. & Sun. 10-4 or by appoinntent) where they found items for sale, including alpaca yarn, rovings (fiber for spinning), knitted items, some knitting supplies, jewelry, stuffed animals, aromatic air mists and homemade apple butter.

Most of the yarn in the store is imported, as Amy has a waiting list of buyers for the yarn she spins from their own alpaca's fleece.

Visitors were also treated to an introduction of the newest member of the heard.  Newborn alpaca are called "cria," and this one was born just the night before, weighing in at 16 pounds, 4 ounces.  It's birth was unusual as most alpaca deliver their young in the morning or daytime hours.

Around noon, a huge potluck lunch was enjoyed by all. 

I first learned about this annual free event when I met Quint at Tehacahpi's Farmer's Market.  When I first touched the alpaca yarn I drew in my breath, sighed and exclaimed "It's so SOFT!"  Quint laughed and said "That's everybody's reaction!"

A few more fun facts: There are about 150,000 alpaca raised in the U.S.; Peru has 52 classified colors -- the U.S. has 16; alpacas are in the camel family; they are sometimes confused with llamas which are their cousins but alpacas are considerably smaller, have straight ears compared to the banana-shaped ears of llamas and are more gentle than llamas; alpaca fiber is of the highest quality, similar to cashmere; alpaca fiber is hollow which is why garments and blankets made from it are not only extremely soft but also very warm; alpacas generally live for up to 20 years, occasionally longer.

For more information about the Stewart's free ranch tours and events, you can visit their website at: www.fieldofdreamsalpacas.com/RanchTours.html, or call them at 661-557-5737.   There is also a lot of information at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca.