2025/2026 Alpaca Owners Guide

F or alpaca owners, harvest season is one of the most satisfying times of the year. Each fleece represents a year of care, nutrition, and genetics coming together in a single blanket of potential. With a little preparation, that harvest can yield beautiful fiber ready to sell, spin, or transform into handmade goods.

lavender as natural deterrents rather than mothballs, which leave stubborn odors. Good planning keeps your fleeces in top condition.

Good handling from the start helps you make the most of every fleece.

 From Start to Finish: Skirting Skirting—the removal of coarse or contaminated fiber—is a simple yet vital step that raises fleece value. Not all fiber on the animal is equal: coarser fiber grows toward the belly and legs, while debris collects around the edges. Removing these sections makes the fleece more appealing to buyers and easier to process. As in all fiber work, “garbage in, garbage out” applies—the cleaner the fleece, the finer the finished product.  From Start to Finish: Sorting and Grading Sorting and grading adds further value by grouping fiber by color, micron, and length. While often used by larger farms, small producers can also benefit when preparing fiber for spinning or commercial collection. Uniform batches spin better and yield a softer hand. You can learn this skill from mentors or workshops, or hire a certified sorter to assist. Consistent grading improves both product quality and profitability.

This guide walks you through the basics— planning for shearing day, storing your fleeces properly, and learning simple steps like skirting and sorting that can make a big difference in quality and value. Whether you’re processing your own fiber or selling it to others, careful handling from the start helps you get the best from every fleece.  From Start to Finish: The Harvest Shearing marks the beginning of your fiber harvest. Book your shearer months in advance—schedules fill quickly. Confirm expectations clearly, including price per animal, travel fees, and whether the shearer provides helpers or handles toenail and tooth trimming. Share your goals for maximizing fleece use, and ask other owners for trusted recommendations. Plan for extra hands on shearing day and make sure everyone understands their roles. Keep fleeces well-labeled for histogram testing or participation in AOA’s EPD program. The shearing area should be clean, debris-free, and spacious enough for safe handling. Sweep or vacuum between animals to prevent contamination. Decide in advance how to handle the fleece: bag each section separately, “noodle” it for organization, or skirt and sort immediately. Preparation and cleanliness directly affect fleece quality and value. Some owners even vacuum their alpacas before shearing. Dry fleeces are essential—damp fiber can mold. Shearing day is busy, rewarding work that ends with the satisfaction of a clean harvest ready to sell, show, or process.  From Start to Finish: Storing a Fleece Proper storage protects your fiber’s quality. Use paper bags or wrapping to let the fleece breathe and absorb moisture. Plastic traps humidity and can lead to rot. For long-term storage, choose a climate-controlled, pest free space. Moths can devastate a harvest—use cedar or

Attention to detail during shearing, storage, and sorting pays off long after the season ends. Each careful step protects the integrity of your fiber and builds the foundation for higher quality products, satisfied buyers, and a stronger reputation for your farm. The more care you put into the harvest, the more value your alpacas give back. 

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