Heritage Farm Suri Alpacas

One of the topics at the Suri Network Summer Symposium was marketing Suri Alpacas to the traditional livestock industry. A dynamic and very well qualified speaker by the name of Bret Kaysen presented a very interesting and provocative talk. Bret is a hog farmer, livestock judge and Colorado State University extension educator that has been immersed in all aspects of livestock since childhood. One point Bret made was that the alpaca industry needs to do a better job influencing various livestock groups that alpacas are a legitimate and sustainable livestock industry in American agriculture. He stated that the establishment of the Suri Breed Standard is a step in the right direction but we also need more representation in various breed councils at National and state levels. Bret also stated that another way to legitimize our industry is to influence the rural youth of today as the farmers and livestock breeders of the future. Although many areas of the country have had alpaca 4-H programs for a number of years, we have not done this well at the national level. Getting youth involved in educational and social events and showing and judging competitions as are done with other livestock breeds will go far in preparing future alpaca industry leaders. Many livestock breeds, such as the American Hereford Association, have very robust youth programs that encourage young people to develop breed loyalty through regional and national events and scholarships geared exclusively toward the kids involved in the breed. Attendees of the symposium capitalized on the excitement surrounding this concept and raised over $8,000 to be used toward the creation of the Suri Network Youth Program. For its inaugural activity, The Suri Network Youth Committee will have a booth at the National FFA Convention to be held in Indianapolis the last weekend of October. This event attracts nearly 55,000 of the nation's future farmers, ranchers and livestock breeders and will present a great opportunity to introduce the qualities and benefits of raising suri alpacas to thousands of our nation's best and most talented young people. If we get just of few of those kids energized about raising Suri Alpacas, it will be worth the effort.