• Investigating - ask questions no charge to you,
we love to educate, visit with folks, and generally talk about
alpacas, the alpaca business, alpaca products even alpaca
poop...so ask away. Call us today.
• Ranch Visits - bring the kids,
bring the camera - but please call and schedule first. We
don't charge for visits to the Double "A" Ranch.
Farmers, families, school outings, church groups, vacationers, all are welcome.
• Purchasing Animals - whether it is your first
purchase or your twentieth - if you intend to keep alpacas or
want to invest and agist (board) them here, we can help
you find what you are looking for. Tell us the type, color,
and bloodlines you are interested in and let us be your broker.
• Registration - All animals purchased from us will be ARI registered, DNA analyzed, and certified for your protection and peace of mind. Microchips can be implanted if requested.
• Upbreeding - to better your
herd and increase their value breed to champion herdsires - we
will help you locate the proper male and negotiate stud fees to
suit your breed program as well as your budget.
• Sale of Fiber (with micron count and analysis)
Fiber is the future of the alpaca industry We'll help you locate where and how to
process and sell your fiber
and even introduce you to local artisans who make fine alpaca
products right here in the U.S.A.
• Agistment - short term or long
term- Our ranch is a work in progress but the 121 acres of
secluded land has 30 acres of pasture and half of that is ready
for alpacas today. We have separate barns for temporary
quarantine of visiting animals or long term agistment animals
till they can be integrated into the main herd. Our hands
on herd health practices along with careful attention to bio
security and
clean pastures make it a safe and wonderful place for your
alpacas to stay.
• Stud Service - we guarantee
live births from all breedings at our ranch. Bring
your girls here or we'll transport the macho to her. We
even offer to transport your female if she is properly insured.
• Financing - Double "A"
Ranch, LLC will custom tailor finance packages on an individual
basis. Talk to us, we're flexible and fair.
• Free agistment -(boarding) at
Double "A" Ranch for up to 12 months with the purchase of any Double "A" Alpaca
or brokered ARI registered breed stock animals transported to our ranch. No charge
for crias at side till weaned. Owners are responsible for
veterinary bills and alpaca life insurance. No additional
charge for regular "herd health" maintenance such as nail
trimming, or "doctoring" done on premises by us.
• Fertilizer - Alpaca beans are
very low odor (practically none!) moderate nitrogen and high in other
nutrients that make a fantastic fertilizer. No mixing or
processing needed we use it "raw" on our garden and have seen
the results first hand. Ask us about Double "A" Paca Poo,
prices vary depending on delivery. Come pick up a sample
pack!
• Education - We think this
subject is so important that we start our service list
(Investigation) and end our service list (Education) with this
item. We will help you
locate alpaca associations, seminars, universities, (known for
their camelid expertise), aid in research of other reputable
broker/breeders, recommend books, periodicals and generally share our growing body of
knowledge. If we don't know the answer to any
question, we will never "fake it"
we'll find out together. There is no business, hobby, or
venture that doesn't allow for growth of knowledge, exchange of
ideas or change of opinions as time and experience moves
forward.
Fiber is what it is all about.
The aim is to start with a heavy fleece of dense fiber with good coverage and improve it with each successive breeding. Hence the term ‘up-breeding’. Luster, or sheen, adds a dimension, as does Lock (its cleanliness and appearance). Crimp, or waviness, indicates greater length. Handle (how it feels) and Strength (its general health) also play an important part. Color is less important and micron counts are important to some, but not all, fiber buyers.
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Snowman's fiber: note the luster |
Domino's fleece: an abundance of crimp |
We considered the alpaca industry carefully before we
decided to get involved. Too many people's savings had gone down the drain with 'flash-in-the-pan' fads. Emus, ostriches, oil drilling, Enron, dot.com stocks, and the Nasdaq index; had all seemed great investments - until circumstances suddenly and drastically changed.
It appears the shakier real estate and stock markets
get the more stable a tangible investment like alpacas
become.
We
consulted with alpaca experts and camelid specialists all over the country -
we visited farms, talked to universities, breeders' associations,
and veterinarians. We went to seminars, conferences, and
researched on the Internet. We learned many of the pitfalls, caveats, and areas of concern.
After all it is a business. There is risk. That risk
isn't so much whether the alpaca business "works" it's
whether or not you do.
We may not know it all, but we have
owned other successful businesses and know that "the harder
you work the luckier you get". As a passive investment
alpacas have incredible tax advantages and create compound
tax deferred income, to breeders in it for the business
alpacas are a true labor of love. If you get up and
enjoy what you do everyday then everyday is like a vacation.
Why not call us today and see if you agree?
OUR VERY OWN MILL!!
West Virginia is proud to announce our very own dedicated
mill for the manufacturing of finished yarn, rovings and
felt using 100% alpaca. There are very few mills in
the U.S. dedicated to strictly to the alpaca industry.
AllAlpacaFiberMill.com Owned and operated by
Kocher Farms, LLC
KocherFarms.com in on the cutting edge with the latest
in processing equipment and procedures. Please visit
their website and find out just how easy it is to make use
of that beautiful fiber. Ask for BJ and he'll tell you
all about their operation and upcoming store.
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Natural fibers are a renewable
resource! Use your purchase
dollars to support natural,
renewable fibers that are not
made from synthetic materials or
petroleum products. Natural
fibers are warmer, breathe
better, are naturally fire
retardant, require less
chemicals for production which
means less chemicals in our
water sources and they are naturally
biodegradable.
Thank
you for supporting American made
alpaca products, people and
services! |
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Double "A"
Alpacas
