| PREPARATION OF ALPACA FIBER FOR COMMERCIAL PROCESSING |
As we have been sorting and grading the first donations to the Alpaca Blanket Project we have seen alpaca fleeces come
to us in various states of shearing and preparation. There is no doubt that as the American alpaca industry continues to
grow, standards will need to be set that will benefit both the grower and the commercial processor. Understanding the
roles of each should help us maximize the net return to the alpaca fiber producer and provide minim standards for quality
control from the fiber producer to the manufacturer.
Below we have prepared some guidelines that we hope will be helpful in the preparation of your fleece prior to sorting,
grading, and ultimately arrival to the processor.
As a grower, keep in mind there are several criteria a fleece must meet in order to achieve maximum benefits in final
production. Micron is only one factor. In conjunction with micron must be handle, style/character, length, and lack of
medullation (guard hair). Uniformity within each of these characteristics is the ultimate goal of the breeder. Spinning
problems are caused by significant deviation in micron and length. Similarly, excessive short hairs cause noils and a
decrease in yarn yield and quality. Guard hairs create prickle factor. Many of these problems can be eliminated through
the careful shearing, sorting, grading, and handling of fiber as it is harvested from the alpaca.
SHEARING
While good sharing will not improve the fleece of your alpaca, poor shearing can ruin it. Shearing should take place
regularly every 12 months at the optimum time for the climate in your area.
* Plan well to reduce stress!
* Keep animals to be sheared dry.
* Clean shearing area of all sources of contamination, including twine,
hay, straw, manure, gravel, sand, cigarette butts, toenail clippings or
other debris that does not belong in alpaca fiber.
* Clean the alpacas prior to shearing to minimize debris.
NOTE: Use great caution to avoid second cuts in the usable fiber. If the shearer needs
to go back to clean up an area, this should be done after all the firsts and seconds are
cut and bagged. Second cuts are the major reason for our being unable to utilize fiber
for the project.
For commercial processing the fiber will be sheared in the following order:
> Short (lower) leg: Coarse fiber from the knee down to the toes and under the belly; include apron area if it consists of
strong guard hair. USES: Compost. (Cannot be used by the ABP)
> Long (middle) leg: From just above the knee to the start of the Butt (britch) and skirting from the belly and into the
apron. If the apron area is very much stronger than the long leg, then the apron fiber should be shorn with the short leg
and discarded. USES: Compost, felting. (This can rarely be used for the ABP and will only be accepted if it is at least 2
inches long and free of guard hairs).
> Butt (Britch):
> Blanket (Saddle) or prime fleece.
> Neck (Neck hair can be used in the ABP if it is at least 2 inches long and
free of guard hairs.)
Since alpaca fiber is not yet uniform across the entire usable fleece, sharing in
this order ensures that the better quality fiber is not contaminated with coarse
fiber and the micron spread for each grade of fiber is closely followed.
Eliminate all guard hair as much as possible. In addition, fiber stronger
than 35 microns currently has no commercial value and should be discarded.
SORTING AND BAGGING
* As sections are shorn, DISCARD heavily soiled and/or stained fiber and second cuts. Bag the coarse, straight, and too
short fiber, such as belly, apron, lower leg, and short, coarse neck fiber from all animals and keep it for compost or pet
pillows, etc.
* Bag the blanket separately for show or submission to the ABP.
* Bag “off sorts” with the upper leg/shoulder and/or butt but only if they are of
similar quality. If not place into separate bags. Bag neck fiber separately.
* Submit only fiber that is 2” or longer.
* Use clear, plastic bags identified with your name and farm name. A business
card in the bag works great. DO NOT store your fiber in polypropylene bags, which
will contaminate the fiber.
By using this system, your fleeces are easier to sort and are more ready for
grading when they arrive to us. Your comments on this system are appreciated
and welcome.
THINGS TO REMEMBER!
> Animals will vary. Some may have a big blanket area, including butt and shoulder areas, some may have a large apron
area with lots of guard hair.
> Off-Sorts: These are portions of a fleece that are skirted off the prime fiber area or a specific section that may still have
some processing value to them and can be placed with a section of the fleece that is of similar quality. If they are of
strong micron, too short, too long, or contaminated, put them in your mulch/compost bag.
> “Second Cuts” are the short, little pieces that are formed when the shearer makes a second pass over an area that was
shorn previously. Try to keep these out of your fiber! Any fleece ridges that do occur can be left on the animal and do
grow out to a uniform look in several months’ time. Alternatively, the ridges can be cleaned off after the entire fleece has
been removed from the shearing area.
> “Seconds” are typically what most people call the usable fiber NOT
INCLUDING the prime fleece, or blanket. ABP can use seconds if they
are at least 2” long and are not of strong micron or full of guard hair.
> Consider contacting a sorter to assist sorting and skirting your fleeces
as they are shorn from the alpacas. Apprentices are required to sort
200 Huacaya fleeces and 50 Suri fleeces to achieve their certifications
and would probably welcome the opportunity to help you on your
shearing day to meet their required quotas!
We appreciate your working with us to achieve the goal of a prosperous American alpaca fiber industry. What you do on
your farm affects the quality of product all the way to the consumer. Let’s give them our best and make them want more!
to us in various states of shearing and preparation. There is no doubt that as the American alpaca industry continues to
grow, standards will need to be set that will benefit both the grower and the commercial processor. Understanding the
roles of each should help us maximize the net return to the alpaca fiber producer and provide minim standards for quality
control from the fiber producer to the manufacturer.
Below we have prepared some guidelines that we hope will be helpful in the preparation of your fleece prior to sorting,
grading, and ultimately arrival to the processor.
As a grower, keep in mind there are several criteria a fleece must meet in order to achieve maximum benefits in final
production. Micron is only one factor. In conjunction with micron must be handle, style/character, length, and lack of
medullation (guard hair). Uniformity within each of these characteristics is the ultimate goal of the breeder. Spinning
problems are caused by significant deviation in micron and length. Similarly, excessive short hairs cause noils and a
decrease in yarn yield and quality. Guard hairs create prickle factor. Many of these problems can be eliminated through
the careful shearing, sorting, grading, and handling of fiber as it is harvested from the alpaca.
SHEARING
While good sharing will not improve the fleece of your alpaca, poor shearing can ruin it. Shearing should take place
regularly every 12 months at the optimum time for the climate in your area.
* Plan well to reduce stress!
* Keep animals to be sheared dry.
* Clean shearing area of all sources of contamination, including twine,
hay, straw, manure, gravel, sand, cigarette butts, toenail clippings or
other debris that does not belong in alpaca fiber.
* Clean the alpacas prior to shearing to minimize debris.
NOTE: Use great caution to avoid second cuts in the usable fiber. If the shearer needs
to go back to clean up an area, this should be done after all the firsts and seconds are
cut and bagged. Second cuts are the major reason for our being unable to utilize fiber
for the project.
For commercial processing the fiber will be sheared in the following order:
> Short (lower) leg: Coarse fiber from the knee down to the toes and under the belly; include apron area if it consists of
strong guard hair. USES: Compost. (Cannot be used by the ABP)
> Long (middle) leg: From just above the knee to the start of the Butt (britch) and skirting from the belly and into the
apron. If the apron area is very much stronger than the long leg, then the apron fiber should be shorn with the short leg
and discarded. USES: Compost, felting. (This can rarely be used for the ABP and will only be accepted if it is at least 2
inches long and free of guard hairs).
> Butt (Britch):
> Blanket (Saddle) or prime fleece.
> Neck (Neck hair can be used in the ABP if it is at least 2 inches long and
free of guard hairs.)
Since alpaca fiber is not yet uniform across the entire usable fleece, sharing in
this order ensures that the better quality fiber is not contaminated with coarse
fiber and the micron spread for each grade of fiber is closely followed.
Eliminate all guard hair as much as possible. In addition, fiber stronger
than 35 microns currently has no commercial value and should be discarded.
SORTING AND BAGGING
* As sections are shorn, DISCARD heavily soiled and/or stained fiber and second cuts. Bag the coarse, straight, and too
short fiber, such as belly, apron, lower leg, and short, coarse neck fiber from all animals and keep it for compost or pet
pillows, etc.
* Bag the blanket separately for show or submission to the ABP.
* Bag “off sorts” with the upper leg/shoulder and/or butt but only if they are of
similar quality. If not place into separate bags. Bag neck fiber separately.
* Submit only fiber that is 2” or longer.
* Use clear, plastic bags identified with your name and farm name. A business
card in the bag works great. DO NOT store your fiber in polypropylene bags, which
will contaminate the fiber.
By using this system, your fleeces are easier to sort and are more ready for
grading when they arrive to us. Your comments on this system are appreciated
and welcome.
THINGS TO REMEMBER!
> Animals will vary. Some may have a big blanket area, including butt and shoulder areas, some may have a large apron
area with lots of guard hair.
> Off-Sorts: These are portions of a fleece that are skirted off the prime fiber area or a specific section that may still have
some processing value to them and can be placed with a section of the fleece that is of similar quality. If they are of
strong micron, too short, too long, or contaminated, put them in your mulch/compost bag.
> “Second Cuts” are the short, little pieces that are formed when the shearer makes a second pass over an area that was
shorn previously. Try to keep these out of your fiber! Any fleece ridges that do occur can be left on the animal and do
grow out to a uniform look in several months’ time. Alternatively, the ridges can be cleaned off after the entire fleece has
been removed from the shearing area.
> “Seconds” are typically what most people call the usable fiber NOT
INCLUDING the prime fleece, or blanket. ABP can use seconds if they
are at least 2” long and are not of strong micron or full of guard hair.
> Consider contacting a sorter to assist sorting and skirting your fleeces
as they are shorn from the alpacas. Apprentices are required to sort
200 Huacaya fleeces and 50 Suri fleeces to achieve their certifications
and would probably welcome the opportunity to help you on your
shearing day to meet their required quotas!
We appreciate your working with us to achieve the goal of a prosperous American alpaca fiber industry. What you do on
your farm affects the quality of product all the way to the consumer. Let’s give them our best and make them want more!
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