Classification of colors in alpaca fiber

In raising alpacas for fiber is sought that animals have the same color all over your body, this is a desirable gene expression and determining the selection of breeding animals.

The colors of the fibers are determindas to market with the textile industry, to which producers adjust their production.

The textile companies seeking white animal fibers, because its fiber may be colored with dyes according want to make fabric.

Other times, we seek a range of more colors.

Within the classification of solid colors in alpaca fiber, we have:

B: White

LFX: Beige

LFY: Vicuna

LFZ: Vicuna intense

CC: Light Brown

COM: dark brown Cafe

CON: Dark brown black

GP: Silver gray

GO: Dark gray

N: Black

There are also so-called graying Colors:

BMC: White stained clear

BMO: White stained dark

GC: Light gray with white gray

NM: Black stained

Color Clasification Table (Made by Prosur)

Good practice in the shearing process

• The animals must be dry. The fiber length must be 8 to 10 cm in alpacas.Be measured in the loin or rib half
• Cleaning should be complete in the place where it is to make shearing. This must be done before shearing and with each color change sheared alpaca.
• Avoid contamination of the fleece. Cleaning should be performed on the animal, can use brushes to remove all kinds of impurities.
• Stretch the animals side on a mat, placing obstacles or "mancuerdas" four paws and hold them to a stake.

• It starts at the chest and thigh. Be fleeced by an even cut, you should avoid short cuts and double cut.

• Once completed the process of shearing the fleece separates the mantle at a separate table. It classifies the fleece and eliminates any contamination that may have.

• Continue cutting of low quality fiber and short fiber (head, neck and legs). He pockets to separate and properly identified.

The fleeces are identified, bagged and labeled.

Such signs must contain the following information:

- Style / Color alpaca fiber fleece

- Zone / Producer

- Batch number

- Number of bundle

- Gross weight in kg