In Odessa, Florida, Golden Spirit Alpaca Ranch holds an annual shearing week during which about 120 alpacas are shorn over three days, shedding 3-7 pounds of fleece each. Rancher Brenda Crum describes the fiber as hypoallergenic and luxurious, separating fine strands for sweaters and coarser material for household items. Professional shaver Chad Bryan emphasizes the animals’ fragility and the need for careful handling, warning that alpacas can be unpredictable. The event showcases sustainable, animal-friendly fiber harvesting and allows visitors to enjoy the ranch’s gentle creatures despite a slight reduction in animal numbers after shearing.
Odessa Alpaca Ranch Annual Shearing Week Yields Sustainable Fiber
