Alpaca Registry, Inc (ARI)

The ARI is a huge asset for the alpaca industry.

They maintain our national alpaca database composed of most alpacas in the United States. Since our borders are closed to alpaca importation, this registry is vital in keeping track of our alpacas.

Essentially, you can find family tree information about any registered alpaca. You can trace the blood line backwards to the imports. And you can trace the bloodline forward to the progeny.

You can view alpaca colors as well. These facts are important in figuring out the dominant and recessive color genes of the particular alpaca. You can then determine the odds of getting crias of various colors – if you remember your high school math! I just love color genetics!

By the way, ARI also offers color charts so you can properly determine the color of your alpacas.

The data that you can find is phenomenal!

ARI also provides guideline for alpaca names so each alpaca has a unique name.

There are lots of reasons to register your alpacas. All alpacas that participate in alpaca shows must be registered. Dams and herdsires must first be registered before breeding if you ever plan to register their progeny. Alpaca buyers just do not want to purchase an alpaca for their breeding program unless the alpaca is registered first.

However, not everyone registers their alpacas. Pet alpacas that will not ever be used in a breeding program, do not need to be registered. Also, male crias that do not have herdsire potential also do not need to be registered.

So how do you register an alpaca at the ARI?

First, you purchase a DNA blood card from Alpaca Registry. Most alpaca breeders have their veterinarian put a small blood sample on the card at the same time that BVD is checked. Then, you just mail it in to ARI! Simple! You get your registration papers in the mail a few weeks later.

ARI is now offering BVD testing to make life easier for alpaca breeders.

They are also collecting expected progeny difference (EPD) data using fiber testing data from Yocom-McColl. An EPD is essentially the anticipated difference between an average alpaca for a given trait, and the actual progeny of an alpaca (usually a herdsire) for that same trait. An EPD is helpful is assessing the genetic heritability of that trait.

Whew! That made me think way too hard! Good thing that the folks at Alpaca Registry know what they are doing!

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