SuriPaco farm (a Suri Alpaca farm) is situated on 25 acres of farmland bordered on two sides by the sleepy Royal River in North Yarmouth, Maine. SuriPaco’s herd of approximately 80 animals lives on 12 acres of pasture supplemented with additional feedings of hay and grain. The farm’s first four alpacas—three females and a juvenile male—were purchased in 2001. The barn and fencing were completed in 2002, at which time the alpacas and a guard llama (Shitake) moved in and operations began in earnest. Since then, through breeding and additional purchases, SuriPaco’s herd has grown to 60 alpacas, requiring the addition of 3 permanent, smaller barns as well as expanded pasture and fencing. We participate in 4-6 local and National Alpaca shows as well as commercial events yearly.
THE HERD
SuriPaco’s herd consists of mostly white and fawn alpacas with a large percentage of Accoyo and Peruvian genetics. In the fall of 2009, seventeen SuriPaco females were bred to Snowmass’ Silken Gold. These beautiful juveniles made a splash in the 2011 Futurity and National shows and will be selectively bred in 2012 as part of our expanding Accoyo program. One example is SuriPaco’s Tormenta, a dense well-locked, white, full Accoyo Torbio son. Tormenta’s skin density biopsy revealed a remarkable 63 follicles/mm2 with a micron count of 19, placing him in the top 10% of the U.S. Suri breeding herd.
OUR HUSBANDRY PRACTICE
At SuriPaco Farm, yearling females undergo a pre-breeding evaluation. All females are “hand” bred and pregnancies are confirmed by ultrasound at 21, 60 and 90 days. In addition to routine neonatal care, all new cria have IGG levels checked 24-48 hours after delivery to ensure adequate passive transfer of immunity.
SuriPaco maintains an active parasite prevention and management program. Stools are checked routinely for parasites and the affected animals treated accordingly. All animals receive monthly Ivermectin injections for prevention of meningial worm infestation. All animal records are maintained on “Alpaca Ease”, a well recognized herd management program. SuriPaco is in compliance with the Cumberland County Water District waste management “best practice” guidelines.
THE FIBER
Since first acquiring the animals, Claudia, always fascinated with weaving, began to take an interest in producing yarn, first for personal and later for commercial use. At the present time, SuriPaco Bodega is home to a line of SuriPaco commercially produced, alpaca/natural fiber blended yarns, socks, hats and throws. Additional product development is underway. All products are sourced from U.S. produced alpaca fiber that is washed and processed in the U.S.
Visit: www.suripacobodega or click on the link above (our bodega) for more details.
AND WINE TOO
Four years ago, SuriPaco planted 400 vines of St. Croix grapes (a red, cold-hardy varietal). The grapes grew extremely well in the Farm’s microclimate, encouraging the planting of an additional 400 white, cold resistant vines in 2010. SuriPaco grapes are blended with similar Maine grown grapes from Maine Coast Vineyards, processed into wine and distributed by a local vintner, Maine Coast Vineyards.