Llama shearing today

[John K Jordan]

Llamas and alpacas have to be sheared every year before it gets too hot. Got the llamas done today, the alpacas soon.

This is my llama Nika, before and after. Her mother Ixchel is also in the after photo. Every time a llama is sheared the others come and stare!

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This picture from a few years ago is one of our alpacas - compared to llamas their coats are typically thicker and denser with finer fibers. I weighed one alpaca before and after and found we had cut away 6 lbs of fiber!

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JKJ

[Michael Weber]

Where the like button when you need it?

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Do you save the fur? I bought an alpaca blanket in Peru and wore it as I trekked across the country. I loved that thing. I still have it, but seldom need it in my climate.

[Thomas Wilson]

I hope the wool finds a new use. The animals will be thankful it is gone in a month or less. Tennessee has had a cooler than normal month of May.

[John K Jordan]

I have almost 10 years of fiber. I hope someday to process it into roving for spinning yarn but for now I've just given a little for gifts.

Alpaca fiber is wonderful, has properties which make it better for spinning too. Sometimes llama fiber is blended with either alpaca or sheep to make it easier to spin.

JKJ