Get rid of the
notion of competition in the alpaca/llama industry all we do is hurt
each other and turn off potential buyers. It is better to work
together and build partnership, if at all possible when it comes to
farm management, marketing, and sometimes chores (especially shearing
and sorting).
Working together regarding farm management
includes the sharing of tips and ideas that have worked for you with
other farms like yourself. This way you both can grow stronger
together, faster. Get together on a monthly or quarterly basis by
phone or in person and talk about the industry, your farms, and other
points. You will be surprised what each
of you can learn. If you live close enough together you can even
help with farm design and giving ideas that may be beneficial to each
other on better organization on the farm. Issues like where and
how to put a catch pen, where to shear, how to rotate your pasture,
etc. you could even share studs and save a bit of money.
There are a lot of issues on farming that you can help each other
with. By working together you also promote a positive energy with
potential buyers.
Save money with
marketing, get a group of farms together and advertise together
promoting all the groups farms. This is amazing at saving money
as if there are three farms involved the cost of advertising is cut by
33%. Who wouldn't like this, getting more bang for your
buck. I am sure you can work this out with other farms, just talk
and communicate and you will be well on your way. You can even
advertise open farm days at all the included farms and heavily
advertise to maximize the number of people that will come to your
farm. This also includes going to farmers markets and shows and
taking turns who goes, this allows more time to get other things
done. What a wonderful thing working together can do.
Helping each other with chores, is also
very important, this not only helps the farms get their work done
faster with more people, it also becomes and excellent selling point
for potential buyers that are new with farming.
Buyers will see the sharing as an added
advantage to purchase from you and your partners. Go for it, you
will be surprised as the positive results.
By the way I would like to find some partners in
Eastern/Atlantic Canada. Give us a call at 506-434-3302 and we should be able to come up with some excellent
partnership approaches to llama/alpaca farming.
Margot Roode
