Alpaca Breeders Connection

Alpacas in the News!

Alpacas Give Fleece for Oil Clean-up

Ladyhawke and her herdmates donated their 3rd-quality fleece to the Gulf oil spill cleanup. (photo by Megan Higgens)

Eugene (KMTR) - Local alpaca breeders are packing up fleece to send to the Gulf Coast clean up.

Just in time for shearing season, the Alpaca Breeders Connection in south Eugene got the idea to donate fleece after watching news reports about the oil cleanup efforts in Louisiana.

They contacted the group Matter of Trust and already have 50 to 70 pounds ready to ship to the relief effort.

Breeder Ann Dockendorf says that 3rd-quality fiber is perfect for the job. “Alpaca fleece doesn't have any lanolin in it,” she says. “Since there is no oil in it, so it makes it very absorbent for oil.”

The alpaca’s hair can be woven into mats or stuffed into pantyhose and used like a sponge. More members of the Alpaca Breeders Connection will shear their animals next month so they can contribute fiber again. Other breeders are being encouraged to do the same.

May 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jackie Lucas
Ridgeview Alpacas
(541) 345-5560 eves
Ridgeviewalpacas@comcast.net

ALPACA BREEDERS CONNECTION PARTICIPATES IN

GULF COAST CLEANUP

Eugene, Oregon - This week, seven local alpaca farms will be doing their part to help with the oil spill cleanup efforts in the Gulf Coast region.  Raw alpaca fiber is highly absorbent so alpaca farms throughout the United States, including our own local breeders of the Alpaca Breeders Connection, will be shipping their leg and neck fleece to the “Matter of Trust - Hair for Oil Spills” program.   This program is collecting hair, fur and fleece which will be stuffed into nylons and tied together to make “booms” that surround and contain as well as soak up oil spills. 

This is just another example of the “green” aspect of alpaca farming – something the Alpaca Breeders Connection is working hard to inform the public about.  Since it contains no lanolin, alpaca fleece can be prepared for yarn and garments without harsh chemicals or soaps.  There are 22 natural colors, and light-colored fleece is easily dyeable.  Alpacas themselves are very friendly to the environment with their padded feet, light grazing and nutrient-rich manure.  In fact, many gardeners seek out the manure because it can be mixed directly into the soil without composting.

Alpaca Breeders Connection is a collaborative group of seven small farms working together to educate and market alpacas and alpaca products to the public.  More information about alpacas and the Alpaca Breeders Connection can be found at www.alpacabreedersconnection.com.