What are llamas useful for?

There are mainly four reasons why you could buy llamas: for their fibre, to have them as pets, for their meat and to have them as sheep guards.

Fibre production is an interesting option. Shearing takes place between October and November. You can obtain around two and a half kilos of gross fibre from a 2-year-old or older mother llama. From a male, you may get up to three kilos. 70% of this gross fibre is lost after it has been washed and spun. The remaining 30% accounts for one and a half kilograms of spun fibre. So that you can get an idea, a well-woven poncho takes nearly two and a half kilograms of spun fibre.

There is a small market, in comparison with the fibre one, whose aim is to sell llamas as pets. This option is convenient and satisfactory for those who own a farm and want to add a little colour to it. It is estimated that up to fifteen llamas can live within 40 acres. For this purpose, it is recommended to buy at least two llamas. Llamas are docile. After a-week taming, llamas become in loving and obedient animals. It will only take you a while to fall in love with the softness of their wool and the calmness of their being.

Consume of Camelids meat is increasingly gaining ground in the local market. Llama meat is generally consumed in rural and suburban areas for its cholesterol-free high-protein content. It comes fresh or dehydrated (charque). Camelid meat transformation into charque allows farmers to conserve meat and transport it. Most of charque production is consumed by the families of farmers.

The last reason why you could buy llamas is the most innovative and prosperous option. After various scientific studies, llamas showed that they can protect sheep from predators. That is why they are called “guard animals”. Thanks to this quality, sales have grown beyond borders, prompting us to establish a llama farm in Uruguay.