“Pacapu” A New Alpaca Byproduct

“Pacapu” A New Alpaca Byproduct LIVESTOCK Exotic Animals We’ve printed several stories about raising alpacas how their fiber is processed and the creative things people make and sell from it So we were interested in hearing about “Pacapu” from FARM SHOW reader Paul Brooks in Cheboygan Mich Brooks got the idea of selling alpaca manure from a Georgia alpaca producer who sent him a “poop sheet” on the value of alpaca manure according to a University of Idaho study With about 1 7 nitrogen 69 phosphorus and 66 potassium it ranks higher than other livestock manures And because of its lower organic content it won’t burn plants The rabbit-like pellets make it easy to side-dress without the need for composting Alpacas tend to drop manure in one area which makes it easier for Brooks to collect “I use a leaf rake and snow shovel to fill breathable fiber feed bags and zip tie them shut ” Brooks explains noting that alpaca manure has very little smell Because of that he dries some of the alpaca “beans” and grinds them in an old food processor to sell in quart bags $3 50 for household plant fertilizer about 1 tablespoon/plant He also packages alpaca beans in gallon bags $1 secured with 2-ft lengths of twine that can be steeped in water for about 6 to 7 gal of nutrient-rich manure tea The Brooks sell the feed sacks of Pacapu $6/bag about 40 lbs and the other fertilizer products along with the yarn and items Brooks’ wife Susan makes at local farmers markets Repeat customers for Pacapu include vegetable gardeners heirloom rose gardeners and flower growers The Brooks also use it in their own garden to raise vegetables for themselves and to sell at the farmers market In their 70’s the “retired” couple added alpaca to their sheep herd about 10 years ago for Susan to have more fiber variety for her spinning and fiber arts creations The couple currently has 20 sheep six Huacaya alpacas and two Suri alpacas Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Paul and Susan Brooks Brooks Alpaca Ranch 11374 W Hill Rd Cheboygan Mich 49721 ph 231 597-9510; pbrooks 1227@gmail com

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