Arkadia Alpaca
appreciation of the finer things in life
Arkadia Alpacas
BREEDER OF CHAMPION ALPACAS IN BLACK, GREY & BROWN
Arkadia Alpacas at Great Ground Farm was started by author & former circus ringmaster Drew Thomas in 2015. Recognising the immense possibilities offered by these mythical creatures from South America (not least their remarkably low impact on the environment SEE BELOW), he set about acquiring the genetics to develop a small herd specialising in coloured alpacas to produce fine fibre in a range of natural colours.
The herd now stands at over 50 alpacas and their breeding & show success has secured their future.
You can visit ARKADIA ALPACAS to take some of the delightful, well-trained alpacas for a walk around the farm or see the cria (baby alpacas) in the paddocks with their mothers in the summer months.
BOOKINGS ARE OPEN on the WALKING WITH ALPACAS page
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE TO BUY ONLINE
Impact of Alpacas on the Environment
There is a large push to be more user friendly in what we do on a daily basis. This includes farming and everything that goes with it. There have been a variety of investigations on the environmental impact of camelids, including their containment, shelter, feed intake, water intake, faecal output, faecal examination for pathogens and pasture management.
Containment and Shelter
Camelids are easily contained and rarely challenge fencing. These species do not perform activities that are destructive to fencing and wooden structures and rarely jump through, over, or under fences. Shelter must be provided for protection against adverse weather conditions. Three-sided shelters with a room are usually adequate for the requirement.
Feed and Water Intake
Camelids consume approximately similar amounts of water as do goats (approximately 5 to 7 litres per head per day for alpacas). Daily urine output of alpacas (average adult body weight 60 to 75 kg) are similar to that of sheep (average adult body weight 60 to 135 kg) and goats (average adult body weight 57 to 90kg). Thus, the biological equivalency to sheep in approximately equal.
Faecal Output
Camelids consume a relatively low percentage of their body weight in dry matter (hay) on a daily basis as compared to sheep and goats. Sheep and goats are expected to consume approximately 25% of their body weight per day. For example, a 90kg sheep consumes 22.5kg of grass per day (assuming 30% dry matter of grass). Alpacas and llamas are expected to consume approximately 1.8% of their body weight per day in dry matter e.g. a 90kg camelid would consume approximately 1.6kg of dry matter or 5.4kg of grass per day (again, assuming 30% dry matter of grass). Faecal output is proportional to dry matter intake. Thus, the biological equivalency to sheep in approximately 0.72. Based on these findings, we consider camelids to be a low risk for ground water contamination.
Urine Contamination
Urine is a necessary by-product of life. Water is a vital nutrient for digestion and metabolic processes. Marcilese et. al. (1994) determined water turnover in llamas. In winter, body water was estimated at 659 ml/kg, while non-lactating llamas was 260 ml/kg. In studies of water consumption, alpacas consumed similar water on a body weight basis as compared with goats. Rubasamen et. al. (1975) determined that llamas consumed 62 ml/kg/24 hours and goats consumed 59 ml/kg/24 hours. Thus, a 60 kg alpaca will produce approximately 600 to 900 ml) of urine per day.
Pesticide Use
Pesticides are uncommonly used in alpacas because the limited need to do so. Thus, the potential environmental impact is negligible.
Faecal Pathogens
Compared with traditional livestock species, camelids are not known to be carriers of important pathogens (e.g., Johne’s diseas, Salmonell sp., E. coli) and are uncommon carriers of secondary pathogens (e.g. Cryptosporidium sp., Giardia). In our studies involving random samplings of farms with camelids, we have not found Salmonella or Johne’s disease organisms. In a study performed by the University of California at Davis, they did not find E. coli or Crypotsporidium in camelid faeces. Compared with traditional livestock species, we do not consider camelids to be a source of concern for potential pathogens to the human population.
Pasture Management
Camelids have a unique instinctual trait with respect to deposition of faeces and urine, as compare with “traditional” livestock. The camelids form “dung piles” in pastures. These dung piles are the animal kingdom equivalent of “community toilets”. Thus, these animals are extremely hygienic as compared with horses, cattle, sheep and goats. These dung piles allow pastures to be cleaned effectively and efficiently on a regular basis. This is rarely done in other livestock because of the necessity to clean the entire pasture, not selected areas. In our research, dung piles will consume approximately 10% of the pasture if cleaned on a regular basis. Without cleaning, pasture consumption increases to approximately 20%. Thus, the pasture contamination equivalency of camelids as compared with other livestock is approximately 0.1 to 0.2. Cleaning of dung piles with composting of manure allows for further limitation of risk of ground water contamination.
Summary Statements
Based on our research to date, we consider camelids to be one of the lowest risk species in agriculture with respect to potential human exposure to pathogens or to by-products of the animals’ waste. Therefore, this species seems to be ideally suited to “urban farming” settings.
CLICK HERE TO
BOOK NOW
Fully inspected & licensed by WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL in line with Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) 2018 LICENCE NUMBER: LN/201900041
Arkadia Alpacas, Great Ground Farm, Farndon Road, Woodford Halse NN11 3TT
07831550118
