2025/2026 Alpaca Owners Guide

Why alpaca fleece testing matters: build better herds with trusted fiber data Softness, warmth, and durability are what make alpaca fiber stand out but how do you know which animals are producing the best fleece? At SGS, we provide precision testing that helps you improve herd genetics, support the AOA’s Estimated Progeny Differences (EPD) program and make smarter business decisions.

Objective data leads to smarter decisions

This type of program run by the AOA is used in many other livestock systems around the world for informed, data driven decision-making. EPDs estimate genetic potential for traits like fleece weight, MFD, and uniformity. With this information, you can: • Choose sires and dams with confidence • Speed up genetic improvement in your herd • Reduce trial-and-error in your breeding program • Benchmark your animals against national and international herds In today’s market, buyers and breeders want proof. A fleece backed by accredited lab results and EPDs is more attractive. Whether you’re selling raw fiber, breeding stock, or finished products, it shows that you’re committed to quality and transparency. Having data on your animals also helps you set fair prices, negotiate with confidence, and stand out in a competitive marketplace. It’s not just about science, but business. Regular fleece testing can reveal early signs of nutritional or health issues. If fiber quality suddenly drops, it might be a sign that something is amiss with a particular animal, your feeding program or overall herd management. Jeremy Wear, SGS When you participate in fleece testing and EPD programs, you’re contributing to a stronger alpaca industry. More data means better benchmarks, clearer standards, improved values for North American fiber in the global market, and a more professional reputation for all of us. Fleece testing isn’t just for elite breeders, it’s a practical tool for every alpaca owner. Whether you run a large operation or a small family farm, objective data helps you breed better, market smarter, and grow stronger. This data is available as a continuous record from along fiber profiles measured at 2mm (approx. 6 day) intervals.

When you send your fleece samples to an accredited lab, you get back more than just a number. Along with guaranteed control over accuracy and precision, you receive a full profile of each fleece, including:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

MFD: Mean Fiber Diameter or Average Diameter

Standard deviation (SD) & coefficient of variation (CV): Indicators of uniformity

Medullation: The percentage of hollow fibers in the fleece which won’t dye uniformly

“

Comfort factor: Percentage of fibers under 30 microns

Average Staple length: The average length of a single fiber, measured from the base to the tip

Average Curvature: Similar to crimp, which relates to handle and resilience

Other hereditable characteristics: Can optionally be measured to complete the picture: • Washing Yield • Color measurement • Grid sampling report (shows the variation in MFD over the fleece) • High resolution fiber diameter profiles (record of animal stress and health) These measurements give you a clear, unbiased picture of the fleece quality. Whether you’re comparing animals, tracking changes over time, or selecting alpacas for breeding, this data helps you make informed, confident choices. It takes the guesswork out of fleece evaluation and puts you in control. Estimated Progeny Differences (EPDs) go a step further. They’re not just about what an alpaca’s fleece looks like today, they’re about what that animal is likely to pass on to its offspring.

At SGS, we’re proud to support alpaca farmers with reliable testing and genetic insights.

46 | ALPACA OWNERS GUIDE 2025/2026