Alpaca Informaton Courses at Inca Alpaca
How to make money from alpacas and the amazing lifestyle they offer!
This alpaca specific course has been designed for those who are interested in learning more about keeping alpacas, the business behind breeding, making money, gaining planning permission and the global alpaca industry.
We also offer an advanced alpaca assessment course for existing owners who would like to learn more about maximising their investment through improving their breeding programme and alpaca assessment skills.
The alpaca courses that we offer are friendly, informative and above all, are designed to teach skills and pass on knowledge about all aspects of alpaca ownership and the lifestyle and financial opportunities they present.
The courses are delivered by Inca Alpaca owner Tim Hey. Tim has been farming alpacas for over thirty years and is currently a British Alpaca Society (BAS) judge and judge trainer.
To find out more about Tim click here
NEXT ALPACA COURSE
An Introduction to Alpacas: Saturday the 27th of September 2025
Programme for Introductory Course:
9.30am
– Welcome to Inca Alpaca, Amberley Farm, coffee/tea
– Overview of the UK, European, Indian, Middle Eastern and World alpaca production. Why we keep and farm alpacas here in the UK.
– Alpaca assessment and overview, both huacaya and suri – conformation and fleece characteristics: coverage, density, fineness, crimp (huacaya), lock structure (suri), brightness/lustre and colour uniformity.
– Introduction to the alpaca, understand how to handle them and recognise and assess conformation and fleece traits. What to look for when selecting alpacas to buy.
– Show classes. Why we attend shows and what the judge is looking for.
12.30pm – Lunch
– Husbandry overview: health assessment and body scoring, toe nail trimming, worming, vaccinations, ear tagging, micro-chipping, keeping records. Halter training.
– Farm layout – grazing requirements, paddock care and improvement; fencing, catch pens, sheds/shelters, watering system and handling procedures.
– Alpacas’ nutritional requirements – feed, hay and supplements.
– Alpaca fleece – it’s value: shearing and processing through to finished garments.
– Financial commitments – running costs, tax advantages and financial returns.
– How alpacas qualify for agricultural planning permissiion for a dwelling.
3.30pm – Close. Coffee/tea
Cost: £85 + VAT per person: includes workshop, lunch and course notes. (£68 + VAT each, for two bookings).
Please note:
Minimum number of attendees for this course – six. Course open to adults or accompanied children over twelve years of age. Warm clothing and boots that can be dipped in disinfectant are essential.
Advanced Coloured Alpaca Assessment and Breeding Course.
Date not set. Please contact us to register your interest.
Programme for Advanced Coloured Alpaca Assessment and Breeding:
9.30am
– Welcome to Inca Alpaca, coffee/tea
– Overview of the UK, European and World coloured alpaca production. Why we farm coloured alpacas here in the UK.
– Alpaca assessment and overview in the classroom.
– Huacaya conformation and fleece characteristics: coverage, density, fineness, crimp, brightness, primary and secondary follicles, primary fibre assessment, skin testing and colour uniformity.
– Assessing the above traits on the live alpaca.
– What to look for when selecting alpacas to buy.
12.30pm – Lunch
– Herd Sire Assessment and Selection
– Breeding examples: The impact of different sires on selected females.
– Cria quality assessment.
– Adult alpaca assessment. Alpacas between 4 and 12 years.
– How to select alpacas for the show ring.
– Breeding and marketing tips and techniques.
3.30pm – Close. Coffee/tea
Cost: £95 per person: includes workshop, lunch and course notes. (£75 each, for two bookings).
Please note:
Minimum number of attendees for this course – four. Course open to adults or accompanied children over twelve years of age. Warm clothing and boots that can be dipped in disinfectant are recommended.