"Mountain Lion Sale"

Well, 2008 has been a troublesome year thus far. Bad winters, hot summers, predators, and the economy! Sadly, we are reporting that all of our hard work to the perimeter of our 40-acre ranch, and the interior fences has failed us. For years, just the two of us have spent countless hours building high perimeter fences, building for housing, and making multiple trips for hay. In addition, we recently hired a man to help with all the daunting workload. All in an effort to provide the best triple “A” service to our herd of over 40 alpacas, horses, goats, chickens, and numerous other creature who call Around the Peak Alpaca home.

While we feel we are not running a wild life buffet, a recent intrusion by a mountain lion seems to validate that we are! While we do not blame the lion for doing what lions do, we feel that it was not a justifiable attack on our life stock. There is other more readily available choice for food. A 6 ft. high perimeter fence that is more than a ¼ mile away from our herd, and then an addition 5 ft. fence, is not exactly normal. Never mind the enclosed chicken area. The lion reached through and pulled the little chicks out and played with them until death. Not even eating the little things.

Wireless cameras, 6 ft, perimeter fences ¼ mile away from all livestock, numerous outbuilding for shelter, 5ft and 10 ft. interior fences, motion sensor lights, and many other deterrents did not protect one innocent, beautiful alpaca girl from a horrible predator. And I mad? No, just very sad for the loss of a wonderful life we so deeply cherished.

When you have livestock, you have dead stock too. However, this is a bit un-expected. When you put so much effort and hard work into going above and beyond the norm to care for your herd this kind of loss is harder to except.

Our initial goal when we began switch over to alpacas as our livestock choice we wanted to making yarn. No show them, or sell them. Making yarn has always been a passion of mine. We selected the very best stock and genetics and began our breeding program with the sole purpose of making the very best, high quality yarn we can. In addition the alpacas, we purchase our own fully equipped processing mill. With over 20 piece of equipment we can make all kinds of fiber products, and have. Each year we have sold out of products quickly. In fact, we also are able to process small lots of products for other farms.

After more than 20 year without a vacation we finally could take one. Having a farm manager you can trust is not easy. We have done all the work ourselves over the years, so handing over the reins was not easy. Then came the phone call. “Something got into the chicken pen, and scared the alpacas! The Buter, the guard llama, had jumped a 5 foot fence and is pacing back and forth!” Everyone else is in the barn and won’t come out into their pasture.” My heart sank. I thought, oh no a bear found his was in. How can that be? We just finished the perimeter improvements!” The phone conversation continued until he said, “I have to go…they are alerting!” Many heart pounding moments passed. Then the phone rang, “It’s a mountain lion! He nearly jumped on me!” “Are you okay?” “Yes, just very scared! We’ve never had a lion!” “Go around and re-count. Someone is missing.” “I counted and counted already!” “Just for me, please!” The phone rang back,” I covered up in pine needles and leave at the edge of the fence in the pasture pen. I’m so sorry!” My heart fell. I already knew, as I have been farming and ranching this country for many years. However, in all the years, perimeter fence or not, we have NEVER had intrusion from a mountain lion. There was always the possibility, but not in more than 20 years had we ever seen one. Even so we had been prepared, or so we thought. It is our belief that the lion followed the fawn deer in. How we still are not sure. Time will tell. There are some many twin fawns this year, more construction of houses depleting the habitat, and hunters that there are many explanations. For now all we can do is protect what we have, until we can find a proper solution that is better than our current one.

Does this stop us? No! We have decided to GREATLY reduce our prices to help eliminate the losses. As we make changes to our interior fencing, and structures we need to reduce our herd size. This means that I will not have a much yarn for sale next season, but I would rather see my kids happy and healthy in a safe place than to become food for a predator.

I’m sure there are many questions and suggestions. Trust me…we know what we are doing. This is not new to us. I worked on a ranch as a hunting guide as a youngster, and Terry as well. We have years of farming and ranching experience, but things happen. Right now we are happy to accept any inquiries on the purchase of our alpacas. However, it is just too upsetting to discuss the “lion” incident. No other alpacas were harm, save the one, thankfully. All are healthy and capable of proper sale.

We are putting all funds to additional updates to the farm. Seems like we will never get it right. As far as any more vacations…I’m sure we will eventually feel comfortable to get away. As a mentor farm we tend to experience more than most. Obviously, one of the reasons we can mentor so confidently to others. We been there, experienced it, learned from it, and are making lemonade!

Our bloodlines are vast and very genetically sound. We have faith in our breeding program, and we are confident in our animals. Should you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact us. We don’t believe in pressure and never have.

Thank you for taking the time to read all the way through my cathartic ramblings. We always hope that our loss is someone’s gain. If these have to happen we prefer there to be a legitimate reason.

Take care all and happy spinning!

Sincerely,
Annie

Shearing season is in full swing!

Well, here it is....that dreaded shearing season again. If your like us you have begun the task of dragging out all the equipment to find that the rush from last season finds you un-tangling a mess of cables, cutting yourself on loose cutter, and so on. However, if you are about your business then you know that this is just part of the many task on the farm. 

We have begun shearing and are part way there. I am excited to have new fiber for processing in our mill. I always get so excited as if there is some kind of prize at the bottom of the bag. Sometimes there are...yikes...spinder can get in weird place! Eeeekkkk!

Anyway, if you find yourself at a loss this time of year and need a little encouragement have faith! Many of us are struggling with the same backaches and fluff up the nose and are here if you need a shoulder. 

Happy Shearing!

Annie