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 Probably
the most important aspect of good care and management of lamas
(llamas with two “l”’s the big ones- one “l”
refers to alpacas and llamas) is their pasture, its layout and
maintenance. One of the first planning decisions to make is
how many alpacas you expect to have and whether your current
farm has enough available pasture to handle them. Most breeders
will tell you that you can pasture 5-10 alpacas/acre. 10 are
only realistic if you have outstanding pasture with fast growing
forage varieties, use rotational grazing and are able to provide
regular irrigation. Rotational grazing requires the use of interior
fence lines and multiple gates to allow you to move the herd
from one pasture to another so the previous pasture can be allowed
to grow without grazing. 5 alpacas per acre is more reasonable
and that, to some degree, is determined by where you live. In
many Canadian areas, the ground stays frozen until at least
early April so forage doesn’t reach grazing height until
usually mid-May or later. By mid-October the days are short
and the temperature has dropped so much that forage growth has
almost stopped. In other words, plan on feeding hay for 6 months
out of the year.
Proper
layout of your available land increases efficiency reduces cost
as well as reducing your daily labor input- this is one of many
services we can provide. You need to consider that you’ll
require at least 2 fenced pastures: one for males and one for
females, with a means of getting the respective sexes to their
pastures. Ideally, you want at least 3 as weanlings should really
have their own so they are not competing with adults; 4 allows
male and female weanlings to be separated. Of course, the more
pastures you have, the more fence expense as well. Portable
fencing can be employed to break larger pastures into smaller
ones for this or rotational purposes at lower cost than fixed
fencing.
 The
forage varieties you plant are extremely important. The types
you select should be determined by your area as well as palatability
to lamas. Your local Agricultural Service can tell you what
types do best in your area. Get to know your agent well - they
are an invaluable source of information. Your agent will probably
recommend doing soil testing twice a year to determine what
soil amendments your particular pastures will require. Tests
are inexpensive and it’s wise to test each pasture individually
as topography affects soil nutrition. Hilly areas experience
rain runoff and thus nutrient leaching while low lying areas
receive that runoff which means they require fewer amendments.
Nearby alpaca or llama breeders can tell you the forage types
their animals prefer. We at Kelowna Alpaca Farm have chosen
to plant primarily orchard grass with a small percentage of
alfalfa. We have found clover mixes too invasive and will choke
out the grasses.
In
our area where the soil is very sandy and heavy with clay we
need to dramatically improve the organic properties. All ‘poop’
that is collected is designated to an area slated for improvement
that year. We spread it thinly, disc it in and then seed with
oats, buckwheat & alfalfa allowing it to grow to about 6
– 8 in. Once it reaches the desired height, we then disc
it in again, let it ‘rest’ for 2 weeks and then top
seed with orchard grass for it’s final seeding. This method
has proven to be highly successful for us.
In
general, a mix of several grasses and a legume (legumes like
clover and alfalfa are higher in protein and “fix”
or put nitrogen back into the soil) is usually best. Timothy
grasses, orchard grasses, certain fescues, ladino (or white)
clover and alfalfa are the typical choices. Avoid rye grasses
in general - they carry endophytes (bacteria) which can cause
“staggers” which is a condition that looks like it
sounds. It affects the central nervous system temporarily unless
the rye is not removed in which case it can become permanent
or fatal. There are “endophyte free” varieties but
given so many other choices I see no reason to recommend them.
Some regions have suitable mixes prebagged; in other areas you
may have to mix your own. Keep in mind that types like alfalfa
require periodic reseeding while others like clover can be invasive;
use small quantities of invasive types relative to slower growing
varieties.
If
you have existing pastures with the right varieties you’re
in luck. If not, you may be faced with raking and over seeding
or even plowing and replanting if the wrong types are present.
If you don’t already have tractors, plows, rakes, mowers
etc., there is usually a farmer nearby you can hire to do this
work for you- get to know them irrelevant of what they grow
or ranch as they are usually another great source of information.
You also need to plan on regular maintenance of your pastures
as well. In most areas you’ll need to fertilize in the
spring and fall. Some areas require liming to sweeten the soil
if irrigation is used or rainfall is high. Alpacas will not
eat pasture when it gets more than 6-8” high (they must
think something is hiding in it to get them) so unless you are
intensively grazing or in a slow growth area, you’ll also
need to mow on a regular basis.
Finally,
you should do a forage analysis of your pastures on a regular
basis. We do it at least once per year. Again, consult with
your local agricultural agent or nearby college for local testing
resources. An analysis will give you information like % protein,
fiber TDN (total dietary nutrition) which will affect how you
supplement your animals feeding with grain, minerals and other
nutritional supplements. In the Okanagan, for example, there
is very little selenium in the soil so there is very little
in the forage. Selenium is critical for good health (although
like most minerals toxic if over fed) so breeders in this area
use a mineral supplement high in selenium.
Analysis
of hay should also be done for the same reasons. Some hay dealers
will pretest their hay and can readily provide printed results
from a reliable laboratory. If not, require a written contract
that includes a clause that states you will have the hay tested
and that it may be returned if it does not meet pre-agreed upon
dietary requirements. Most hay dealers know their hay so if
you tell them you need a certain protein level, fiber level
and type (for palatability), they usually can match the right
hay to your needs.
A
couple of serious notes. If possible, invite your local agriculutural
agent to visit your farm and walk the pastures with you. This
is a free service. Ask them to take note of the weeds and any
trees growing in your pasture. They can point out those that
are toxic to livestock and make recommendations for their eradication.
That beautiful cherry tree in the middle of your pasture is
aesthetically pleasing and provides shade for the alpacas (always
desirable), but the dried old leaves on the ground may be toxic.
Likewise, rhododendron, milkweed, most yews etc. are deadly.
In general, a well fed lama will not browse on toxic plants,
trees or shrubs - but cria are always chewing on everything
they find. Eradicate such dangers or if a favourite plant, fence
it off.
As
with all other aspects of alpaca care and management, good planning
beforehand will make your life easier, your lamas happier and
healthier - and your business more profitable.
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