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Alpacas
Magazine
physical characteristics of the fiber
scales. Most alpaca, by contrast –
particularly the low-micron (very fine)
grade known as “baby alpaca” – is
hypoallergenic, because of its smooth
scale structure that does not irritate
the skin. Additionally, alpaca fleece
contains no grease, and is a joy for
hand spinners to process raw, virtually
right off the animal. The shearing
weight, or yield per animal, is com-
parable to many breeds of sheep, but
more land is necessary to graze sheep.
Will wearing alpaca instead of wool
stop global climate change? Sounds
a little like a question best suited for a
high school debate competition. Alpaca
lovers claim nothing that profound
of course, but every little bit helps.
The way alpaca can help us most may
actually have nothing to do with any
of the above conclusions. The alpacas’
most significant contribution to the
Earth may be as simple as our just
wearing it. There is nothing softer or
more comfortable than an alpaca
sweater, nothing warmer than a pair
of alpaca socks, or cozier than an alpaca
throw. When the chill of winter hits
the air, turn down your thermostat,
get into some alpaca, and enjoy.
You look good in green.
Jeff and Rita Merrifield own and operate
Campo Feliz Alpacas, home to a herd of
40 white huacayas in Oregon. As the former
owner of a metal fabricating business,
Jeff takes a production-oriented approach
to breeding alpacas and the future of the
industry. Jeff is also a show announcer and
is an active alpaca volunteer at both the
local and national level. He can be reached
in care of
Alpacas Magazine.
1. According to the Environmental Justice Foundation, cotton is considered the world’s “dirtiest” crop due to its heavy use of insecticides, the most
hazardous pesticide to human and animal health. Cotton covers 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land, yet uses 16% of the world’s insecticides, more
than any other single major crop. Aldicarb, parathion, and methamidopho, three of the most acutely hazardous insecticides to human health as deter-
mined by the World Health Organization, rank in the top ten most commonly used in cotton production. All but one of the remaining seven most com-
monly used are classified as moderately to highly hazardous. Aldicarb, cotton’s second-best selling insecticide and most acutely poisonous to
humans, can kill a man with just one drop absorbed through the skin, yet it is still used in 25 countries and the U.S., where 16 states have reported it
in their groundwater. Source: “The Deadly Chemicals in Cotton,” Environmental Justice Foundation (2007).