Rumen8tions - D8 Blog Sunday, November 15 2009
The following is an excerpt from the NAAFP website: Profitable Fiber Producer Spotlight
Summer Breeze Ranch ( We would like to introduce you to Frank and Beverly Koerperich who started raising alpacas just a few years ago and now have 10-15 alpacas. Upon moving to
2006 was the first year Frank and Beverly participated in sorting and using the NAAFP cooperative. All their fiber was sorted by a certified sorter, but the cooperative had limited fiber runs at that time. They chose to have Lopi yarn made from their WL4 (woolen grade 4 fiber) and have sold all but one skein to date. They also had a Throw made from WR4 (worsted grade 4 fiber), selling it as well. Instead of throwing away their leg, belly and chest fiber, Frank and Beverly had several "Texas Rugs" woven. They have sold 2 - 2x 3 rugs, a 3 x 5 rug and 8 energy mats. They saved the remainder of their fiber for processing in 2007 when there would be more options for products through the NAAFP cooperative. They were paid $614.50 for their limited products in 2006
In 2007, Summer Breeze Ranch realized the following for their fiber harvest, which included the fiber they held over from 2006
* does not include shipping. Processing costs are different on each grade as they are processed at different processors. ** These items are being processed and will go to several retail outlets NAAFP has available to its membership. *** some of the items from this grade have been processed and returned to be retailed but balance is awaiting to be processed so the actual amount of fiber processed cannot be determined yet.
Contribution factors in the 2007 fiber harvest for Summer Breeze Alpacas: Frank and Beverly moved several of their alpacas to their own ranch which had new pastures. This affected the amount of total usable fleece as it resulted in significant loss due to excess vegetation (mainly weed heads). This happens quite often with new pastures as they tend to have more seed heads, weeds, and contaminates. Their 2008 fleece harvest should be much higher as they have improved their pastures and reduced contaminates. Frank is learning how to shear as well, which will improve their profit margin by eliminating that cost.
A few words fromBeverly: "I was raised on a farm in the - Beverly Koerperich |