LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES Registries Following are links to the websites of the two main registries in Canada & USA, respectively. The CLRC link will take you directly to our CLRC page where you can review the genetics of our herd. The ARI registry has the same info but you have to be a member to access it. The ARI link will take you to the ARI website where you can obtain more information about this registry.    CANADIAN LIVESTOCK RECORDS CORPORATION    ALPACA REGISTRY INCORPORATED     Associations We are members of the following associations & we encourage you to visit their websites as they contain a wealth of information on all aspects of the alpaca industry.   Alpaca Canada   Canadian Lama & Alpaca Association    Alpaca Ontario   Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association   Favorites The Alpaca Business Planner   This business planning tool was created, by Mike Safley of Northwest Alpacas, to help you through all of the decisions that a prudent person would make prior to committing their hard-earned capital to start an alpaca business. Even though it is written from a USA perspective, most of the information is universally applicable. The exception is tax law, which is slightly different in Canada, in that, the capital cost of animals is only deductible from the money received from the sale of animals and not deductible from other  income. This is a good guide to assist you in developing your own personal business plan as it makes you think about all the key areas of the business. Please feel free to use it to consolidate your goals and objectives.     Business Planner   ****************************************************   Canadian National Alpaca Sale & Futurity   Organized in 2001 by a group of dedicated Canadian Alpaca Breeders for the promotion of Canadian alpacas worldwide   ****************************************************   Alpaca Atlantic   Lisa Olsen & Bill Fletcher of  Alpaca Alantic Of TN have been raising alpacas for over 10 years. Lisa has quite a sense of humour which we really enjoy. She has also amassed a wealth of information on all aspects of the alpaca business & we would encourage you to visit their site for some fun & enlightenment.    Alpaca Atlantic of TN   *****************************************************   Alpaca Fibre Information   Snowmass Alpacas has put together two documents on alpacas and their fibre. We have read these documents and found them to be extremely interesting and highly informative. If you would like to get a glimpse at where this industry may be headed, we would highly recommend you review these documents.   Click below to download  brochures (PDF)   The Making Of Champions    Part 1   The Making Of Champions    Part 2 *****************************************************   Toxic Plants   If you are concerned about poisonous plants and the effects they may have on your animals, here is a reference that you may find useful. This material is for informational purposes only, not as a guide to home treatment. Contact a veterinarian or poison control center in any case of suspected poisoning! .  Guide to Toxic Plants in Forage    **************************************** Minimum Standards of Camelid Care   The Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group is proud to present the results of the charge by Lama Community to define Standards of Care for llamas and alpacas – one document stating minimum standards of camelid care for animal welfare officials and another educational document of recommended practices. These two final documents reflect broad-based consensus on both Minimum Standards of Care for Llamas and Alpacas and Recommended Practices in Caring for Llamas and Alpacas. Camelid Care     ***************************************************************     The free art shop guide Truly Canadian Made is proud to present sites which feature the finest arts and crafts made right here in Canada. Publications We have found this magazine to be very informative.   International Camelid Quarterly Fibre Testing Labs Here are links to Canadian &  USA fibre testing labs where fibre characteristics are measured. Measurement data can be very useful in your alpaca breeding & fibre marketing programs.   Olds Natural Fibre Centre    Yocom-McColl Fibre Co-operative Canadian Camelid Fibre Co-operative is a service Co-op that provides education, quality control standards, arranges attractive processing rates and standard product specifications as it collects and processes both alpaca and llama fibre on behalf of its members. End products made from the raw fibre are distributed back to members for marketing. City Information This link will take you to a weath of information about our wonderful city, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.   City Of Saskatoon Saskatoon Area Guide AOBA Survey Results   Some interesting facts from AOBA's Alpaca Survey*     Did you know? . . .  The greatest concentration alpaca owners in the United States is in the East North Central area (IL,IN,MI,OH,WI) with 23%. The top 5 businesses respondents were engaged in prior to becoming an alpaca farmer: 1.  Medical 2.  Education 3.  Manufacturing 4.  Government 5.  Computers 70% of those completing the survey, are female. Of those completing the survey, 60% have college degrees or graduate degrees. The top five most important reasons a particular farm was selected to provide the first alpacas purchased: 1.  Owners very knowledgeable 2.  Full reproduction guarantees 3.  Breeder had good reputation 4.  Farm well maintained / barn clean 5.  Promised superior service & support The top five most important factors in the decision to purchase alpacas: 1.  Investment potential 2.  Tax advantages 3.  Fell in love with them 4.  Retirement option 5.  Change of lifestyle - prior to retirement Almost 80% of respondents have been aware of alpacas since  2003 or earlier. Television (20%)and word of mouth (14%) were the most often cited ways in which people initially learned about alpacas. Almost 82% of alpaca purchasers visited two or more farms before making their first alpaca purchase.  65% visited three or more farms. 50% of initial alpaca buyers board their alpacas for free at the seller' s farm. In the first twelve  months of alpaca ownership, 60% of buyers purchase between 2 and 5 alpacas. 81% of alpacas purchased in the first twelve months are adult breeding-quality females. The most common herd sizes is between 10 and 14 alpacas. 42% of respondents have purchased alpacas without inspecting them personally, i.e., sight unseen. 30% of respondents have purchase alpacas at a live auction and almost 17% have purchased on a website. In the past twelve months, the top five uses for alpaca fleeces: 1.  Used a mill to process fleece into yarn 2.  Sold fleece to spinners or craftors 3.  Used a mill to process fleece into rovings or batts 4.  Contributed fleece to a fiber Coop 5.  Spun yarn within my household 89% of respondents attended at least one alpaca show in the past 12 months.  51% attended 3 or more shows. *Alpaca Owners and Breeders Asociation 2007 survey.  Click here for the complete results