How many times have I seen that as the subject line on an e-mail in the last month or so?

Now what picture does it conjure up in your mind when you this kind of headline?

Alpaca Herd Dispersal

To my mind it is not a positive image. Now don't get me wrong there are many valid reasons for selling off your alpaca herd and doing something different. Because as those of us in the business realise alpaca breeding/ farming is not an easy life by any means its hard work and long hours...if you want to be successful that is.

So I can only assume that by using these words the sellers are trying to convey that there are bargains to be had.....now if they are bargains surely a few quiet words in the local AOBA alpaca affiliate network and they will be snapped up by some lucky local farmers......

My guess is that they are fairly run of the mill (a good old textile phrase) alpacas and nothing wrong with that. But are they any different to the other 10,000 run of the mill alpacas advertised on Alpacanation...? I doubt it.

Now the owners will no doubt think they are special in some way and to my way of thinking that is what they should be concentrating on...what makes them special.....not what makes them ordinary.

Well that's my thought!

and today I had an e-mail from Lazy J Alpacas which was entitled

NOT an alpaca herd dispersal
Wow, there sure have been a lot of "herd dispersal" deals and "going out of business" sales this year huh?
I'm not an economist or anything, but if the Alpaca industry as a whole keeps giving its money to those who have given up and are retiring and all that capital is leaving the industry never to return, isn't that a bad thing?
Why not help a new kid get started in this industry? My name is Jason Hughes and I'm 31 years old. I started Lazy J Alpacas in 2004 with my father Jim. I plan on being in this industry for the next 40 or 50 years...
If you're breeding for grey huacayas, this is the email you've been waiting for. Help a new operation get started at herd dispersal prices!

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