About
The blog called, “Texas Alpaca Ranch,” is produced by the owners of Timber Lodge Alpacas in Kaufman, Texas. Intended as an outlet for communication between the owners and people interested in starting an alpaca operation of their own, simply conducting their own research into the industry, or even as an exchange of ideas between experienced alpaca raisers, this blog welcomes readers and contributors.
Alpaca ranching is many things to many people. The Ogilvie’s view of the industry is a way to build a home-based, family business, in a comfortable setting outside the noise and time constraints of urban living. While the Ogilvies never owned livestock, they have lived in rural places during their lives together, and look forward to developing a long term rural lifestyle. Alpaca ranching offers a opportunity for a sustainable agricultural business, as well as an enjoyable rural lifestyle.
The word “sustainable” is emphasized here because there has been much debate about alpaca ranching and how it is supposed to work as a business as opposed to a hobby. Alpaca ranching is a sustainable agricultural business, because it can pay for Operations through sales of products generated from the annual harvest. The alpacas themselves are not slaughtered to harvest their annual production, so in that way it might seem alpaca ranching is less sustainable than some other ranching businesses. However, as we work on this blog, you will see the advantages of raising alpacas, and the various ways they provide a sustainable agricultural business model. Also, keep in mind, that alpaca ranching is enjoyable, so it does resemble a hobby. That does not mean alpaca ranching is only a hobby.
Please come back for more as we add to the information in this blog. Feel free to submit your own comments and articles to add to the depth and breadth of the interest and value this blog offers.
Troy Ogilvie
Co-Owner of Timber Lodge Alpacas,
and Founder and Editor of Texas Alpaca Ranch