In 2004 she began looking for a new passion and lifestyle change when inspiration struck in the form of a commercial about alpacas. Soon she was researching the animals online and took a class on alpaca ranching with her husband, Tom Buttitta.
Four years later they have created Desert Mountain Alpaca Ranch and have more than 20 alpacas, with a few babies, a new store and their own classes about the business on the way.
 Janice Buttitta, owner of Desert Mountain Alpaca Ranch LLC, brushes the coat of Dominique, an 11-month-old alpaca. (Beatrice Richardson•Herald/Review) |
Although Tom Buttitta, an engineer, has kept his day job, he has been able to create the shelters and new store, at their home.
As a former supply chain manager, Janice found her business skills useful for negotiating deals, marketing the ranch and creating their Web site.
Alpacas are not only relatively new to the Buttittas but to the U.S. and the rest of world, since they began being imported in 1984.
It’s not a surprise if consumers haven’t started seeing alpaca burgers on the menu, because these relatives of camels and llamas are just bred for their fleece in the U.S.
“It’s stronger than wool, more water resistant, has more shine and is as soft as cashmere,” Janice said.
Both varieties of alpaca, the Suri and the Huacaya, are bred with the goal of producing an alpaca with silky, shiny fiber that is used to create clothing, blankets and other products.
“Huacayas look like teddybears and the Suris have longer hair, almost like dreadlocks,” she said.
The Buttittas’ alpacas are all Huacayas. The most recent addition was born Nov. 24. The light fawn colored cria, or baby alpaca, was named Royal Peruvian Princess.
“RPP for short,” Janice said.
Each of their 23 alpacas have a name — from Apollo, their first alpaca — to White Russian, whose coat reminded them of the drink.
“We don’t want them to become a number,” she said.
When alpacas are happy, they’ll give kisses. When they’re mad, they might spit. Male alpacas like to neck-wrestle too, but they are gentle creatures most of the time.
Alpacas won’t crawl into your lap, said Tom, but they are kind of like cats.
“They’ll come to you when they want to,” he said.
“They’re stoic animals,” Janice said.
Besides not being raised for their meat, alpaca ranches differ from others because they don’t need much space, and all the Buttitta’s alpacas live within 1.5 acres. They’re also easy on the land, because they have padded feet, she said.
One of the surprising things about alpaca ranching is how low-maintenance they are most of the time, she said. They give them fresh water and hay and clean up their waste each morning and evening.
The Buttittas also get a little help from their Maremmas, white Italian livestock guardian dogs, which stay with the alpacas to protect them from coyotes or stray dogs — the most common killer of alpacas, Tom said.
Alpacas require attention for the occasional toe nail trim, vaccination and other health needs. Their health can sometimes deteriorate quickly if they aren’t treated quickly, so Janice has made their health a priority by taking veterinary-assisting and neonatal classes.
In the summer they work to keep their alpacas cool with fans, plenty of shade and a hosing-down every now and then for their legs and bellies. The routine generates kisses from all the herd, Janice said.
Besides selling products made from the fibers of Arizona-raised alpacas, including their own, and imported goods from Peru, the Buttittas have been breeding their herd, boarding and transporting alpacas for other ranchers, to grow their business.
“Now we’re at the point where we can start selling part of the herd,” Janice said.
Typically females are sold for about $12,00 to $25,000, and top quality males are sold for about $20,000 to $50,000, according to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association.
The Buttittas also attend shows to have their alpacas judged, give tours of their ranch, visit festivals and are getting more involved in the industry as members and board members of the Alpaca Breeders of Arizona. This year the Buttittas are also managing the 2009 Southwest Regional Alpaca show in Phoenix.
Across Arizona there are an estimated 40 alpaca ranches, so there seems to be room in the market to grow, Tom said.
There are about 80,000 alpacas across the U.S.
In January they will begin their “Alpaca Know How Seminars” to teach others about topics, from buying alpacas to the tax benefits of the business.
The willingness of other ranchers to teach them the business helped them to create their own business, and allowed her to find a new start, Janice said. Now they’re also ready to share what they’ve been able to learn.
For more information, visit desertmtnalpacas.com or call 803-9569.
Herald/Review reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at svhnews@transedge.com.
