Western Farm, Ranch & Dairy Magazine - Ritz Family Publishing, Inc.

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22 • Northwest www.ritzfamilypublishing.com SUPERSURIS ALPACAS When Dick Walker, an emergency room doctor, suggested to his wife Nancy that they raise alpacas, she bristled. Dick had grown up on a farm raising horses and cattle, but Nancy was a city girl. Dick felt this was an opportunity to return to the country lifestyle he had known in his youth, as well as a way to supplement their income. Both Dick and Nancy were looking for a business in which they could both participate. “At the time I was working at the hospital 50-60 hours a week and Nancy was full time at the dental office. We didn’t see each other much.” The Walker’s wanted a better lifestyle with more income, and Dick felt strongly that alpacas could provide that. Nancy was especially attracted to the lifestyle and felt the country would be healthier for their four children. Seven years ago they traded their life in Spokane for a 44-acre farm north of the city, where they built a 3-level log home just a pasture away from the barn. They started with seven alpacas, which have now multiplied into a herd of 50, and have sold several dozen more. Dick and Nancy breed and raise suri alpacas. The suri is the less common type of alpaca, with silkier fleece that hangs in dreadlocks. Nancy initially balked at making such a large investment. She and her husband Dick paid $25,000 for their first breeding male and $15,000 each for six females. Like any new business the first couple of years were challenging. It was hard work, but Dick enjoyed teaching his sons the finer art of building fences, barns and corrals. We soon learned that crias (baby alpacas) arrive on their own schedule. Our first Thanksgiving on the farm was unexpectedly interrupted by the birth of a newborn cria. We happily ate our Thanksgiving dinner at 10:00 that night after a crash course on alpaca birthing. Along the way, the Walker’s have developed a deep and abiding passion for SCHUTTER seed farm Virus Tested Russett Burbank and Russett Norkotah Try our LINE SELECTIONS on Russett Burbanks/Russett Norkotahs • Derived From Meristem Culture • Very Uniform And High Producer • Rigid Sanitation Program In Field And Storage • Long Rotations On Isolated Fields • Modern Air And Humidity Control In All Storages • All Available Seed Generation II And Generation III • A Beautiful, Smooth Crop 3627 Wooden Shoe Road • Manhattan, MT 59741 Office: (406) 284-3718 • Warehouse: (406) 284-3346 Sid, John Jr., Carl, Nick and Cliff Schutter these lovely, exotic animals from South America. Alpaca lovers also say the animals have a natural calming effect on stressed people and are low maintenance. After a late night shift in the hospital emergency room, Dick often stops by the barn to decompress. The value of suri alpacas has increased substantially due to the small population and high demand in North America. Nancy is now retired, and Dick is a part time doctor. “The alpacas are providing a lifestyle and income that has far surpassed our expectations.” PRO TRUCK & EQUIPMENT www.pro-truck.com We Specialize In Quality Used Trucks & Trailers Tractors • Vans Flatbeds • Dumps We Cater To <strong>Farm</strong>ers & Small Businesses In Seattle (253) 863-8782 In Portland (503) 285-0452
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Page 35 and 36: West 35 INDESTRUCTIBLE RUBBER WATER
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