Alpaca Country
Paul with one of his alpacas.
1. What is your occupation and for how long have you been doing it?
I own and run an alpaca farm in Long Melford, Suffolk called Melford Green, where we breed and sell pedigree animals and companion or pet alpacas. We also produce and market a range of Suffolk-Spun alpaca yarns and fashion accessories. Melford Green has sold animals as locally as the next village and as far afield as Qatar in the Middle East. Our first three animals arrived from Peru in September 2005 and our herd now numbers around 120.
2. Can you tell us what a typical day is like for you?
Actually it’s hugely variable, which is one of the joys – but it would always start at “first light” with feeding the animals (around 120 in total, on two farms) and checking that they are all OK. Then, depending on weather and time of year, there will be general animal husbandry work to be carried out (toe-trimming, etc.), keeping a careful eye on animals that are due to give birth (this is during the summer months and almost always between 8.00 in the morning and 2.00 in the afternoon), shearing (late spring), paddock and fencing maintenance or showing customers and visitors around the farm.
If the weather is not quite so good, we might sort some fleece ready for spinning or there is always the website (melfordgreenalpacas.co.uk) to update and general paper work to catch up on.
At the end of the working day we take another wander around the fields to check all the animals are OK.
3. When did you first become interested in working with alpacas and what are they like to work with?
Me and Jude (my wife) went on holiday to Peru in 2004. It was whilst we were there that we first came across these rather endearing animals and had the first thoughts of farming them here in Suffolk. Each one has its own character and temperament but, in general, I would have to say that they are very quiet, gentle creatures that have the ability to make you smile and occasionally laugh out loud.
4. How demanding is your job? Does it involve early starts? Is it physically demanding? Is it mentally challenging?
We have pretty much got the husbandry work down to a fine art now and this has been greatly helped since Viki our full time herdsperson arrived last year, but that doesn’t mean to say that every now and then we know we have put in a hard day’s work. I guess shearing days are the hardest of all. It takes a team of around ten of us to ensure the two New Zealand shearers always have an animal ready and waiting. They usually shear around 35 - 40 animals per day. It’s quite hard work physically handling the animals, and we have to all work together and keep calm to ensure the animals are not stressed. Making sure the animals arrive in the shed in the right order and that all of the fleeces are sampled, sorted and measured is a bit like a military exercise and keeps me on my toes. As the sun goes down, we head to the pub for a well-deserved break before starting all over again the next day.
If you are thinking of keeping alpacas, please remember one thing: they are addictive – look what happened to me!
Seeing a new born cria (baby alpaca) take its first steps or watching the older cria run around playing are both sights that warm the heart and make you smile. Having that as an integral part of your working day is just great.
6. Are there any difficulties/challenges?
As with any livestock business, the days when animals are unwell are the hardest. However, our vets are very good, which helps.
7. Do you work with any other type of animals?
At the moment we have purposely stuck to farming alpacas, but we do have a few free-range hens that wander around the fields. These are protected from the foxes by the alpacas. Other than that, we have a couple of dogs, Dolly and Beth, that try to help – though hinder is usually the better description.
8. If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I have always been involved in farming and before setting up the business, I worked for a plant breeding company – so if I wasn’t breeding alpacas, I would probably be doing that.
I was brought up on the family farm in Lincolnshire and have a degree in agriculture, so that’s a very useful background. I have also attended a number of alpaca husbandry courses. Other than that you need to be willing to learn and work seven days a week in all weather (or get someone to help) but, most of all, you must enjoy working with animals.
10. What is the best way to gain experience in this area of work?
Viki first started with us one day a week as part of her work experience whilst studying at one of the local technical colleges. Others students have joined us for a week or so over the summer. The best way is to ask!
11. What would you advise someone interested in working in your role?
Don’t forget that sometimes it can be heart breaking but, on the flip side, if you want a career that offers fresh air and huge variations in daily routine, what could be better than working with 120 or so alpacas that are always pleased to see you and never cease to make you smile?
12. Is there anything else you wish to add?
If you are thinking of keeping alpacas, please remember one thing: they are addictive – look what happened to me!
The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.
