PIKE LAKE, Sask. – A Canadian male alpaca has been sold to a United States buyer for a record high price of $70,000.
Jericho 69i is a three-year-old, black alpaca stud that was sold to Snowmass Alpacas of Sand Point, Idaho. He carries some expensive genes. The black colour and a fine, highly kinky and dense fibre are traits for which wool millers are willing to pay a 30 percent premium.
For the past 40 years, South American millers didn’t want the black traits. As a result, the colour was bred out of the herds.
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Today it is the most desired colour but as a result of the breeding bias to white animals, there is a shortage of high quality black animals and a tight North American gene pool.
Rick and Evelyn Derksen of High Plains Alpacas at Pike Lake, Sask., say they will miss their prize animal, but are happy with his selling price.
“It is a shame to see him go but hey, this is a business and this is what pays for the business … we’ve bred many of our animals to him and we should have some all-black crias that carry his genes,” Evelyn said.
The couple own 70 alpacas and board an additional 60 on their ranch southwest of Saskatoon.
“After 10 years in the business it is a great feeling to know you are on the right track with your breeding and are being recognized by buyers from both Canada and the United States,” said Rick Derksen.
The couple also had the high selling weanling male in Canada this year. HP Javelle was sold to Windy Ridge Alpacas of Strathmore, Alta., earlier this spring.