About this podcast
The Alpaca Podcast for all things alpaca. Alpaca Tribe is for anyone who feels a connection with alpacas. It is for existing owners, everyone interested in keeping alpacas, people working with alpaca fleece or providing alpaca services, or those who are just alpaca mad.
With our guests, we will look at getting into keeping alpacas; making the most of the ones you have got (and enjoying it); ways to use the fleece, not just store it; opportunities to develop business activities relating to alpacas; and growing in your experience, wherever you are starting.
Each week we will be talking to people like you and to breeders, vets, producers and professionals.
The Alpaca Tribe Podcast is your place for wisdom, guidance and great stories about all things alpaca, from people who know because they have already done it.
Join the tribe at alpacatribe.com
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Episodes
The newest 50 of 369 episodes
- More changing of the old-guard · 20 min · Episode 368This is the podcast for alpaca people! Having a group of elderly alpacas means you sometimes lose one. Last week this was Alys, who was just short of 18 years old. A long life…
- When things get back to normal · 14 min · Episode 367This is the podcast for alpaca people! Things are returning to normal. The clocks are no longer on summer time. The big birds have left the lake. The little birds are still…
- When it is time for alpacas to grow up · 15 min · Episode 366This is the podcast for alpaca people! There comes a time to move on, or at least not be so dependent. This is true of all forms of life, including our own. Happenings in the…
- Choosing our alpacas with height and Jules in mind · 16 min · Episode 365This is the podcast for alpaca people! This episode is dedicated to Jules, who recently passed away and always loved seeing the alpacas - at a distance, and on his terms. We…
- The range of things alpaca farmers get involved in · 18 min · Episode 364This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, a quick roundup of the lake filling, the sheep leaving, the fox being seen off by the alpacas and the ducks in…
- Special Alpaca moments to look out for · 15 min · Episode 363This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, hidden among the everyday ordinary, we sometimes bump into a special moment with our alpacas. We need to watch for them…
- Revisiting a visitor · 22 min · Episode 362This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we revisit episode 241 from three years ago. Craig Constantine, a good friend from the US, called in to visit and met the…
- Alpaca breakfast is a great time · 28 min · Episode 361This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, after the rain, my alpacas came out to eat the willow leaves. I say rain, but it was more of a shower. Join me for…
- A new normal · 14 min · Episode 360This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I consider what we call normal. Understanding what is normal helps with expectations and preparations. With climate change…
- Back to routines and rhythms with the alpacas · 18 min · Episode 359This is the podcast for alpaca people! Sorry, there have been a few gaps recently - I have been capacity-challenged on a number of fronts, but I am pleased to be returning to…
- Shearing is completed for another year · 13 min · Episode 358This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, a quick update on shearing and valley news, including the swans, with a background soundtrack of alpacas feeding. Thanks…
- Far flung friends meeting the alpacas · 14 min · Episode 357This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I meet up with Danny from Boston. We have known each other for almost 8 years, but met for the first time recently. I got…
- Do you focus on the big picture or close up? · 10 min · Episode 356This is the podcast for alpaca people! If we focus only on the big picture or only on the close-up, we will miss something. We need to do both, just not at the same time. Be…
- Spring arrivals and departures in the valley · 24 min · Episode 355This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I reflect on the intricate dynamics within our alpaca herd and the wildlife that shares our farm. Observing their…
- What could your lifetime journey actually be? · 18 min · Episode 354This is the podcast for alpaca people! How did we get to be where we are? The answer is a series of small, potentially inconsequential choices and actions. We can't plan for all…
- Slowing down to an alpaca rhythm · 28 min · Episode 353This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I try to share the rhythm of alpacas. There is time for everything when you are an alpaca. The days, weeks, and more…
- A half hour holiday with the alpacas · 16 min · Episode 352This is the podcast for alpaca people! Spring arrives with ragged edges. Winter has not fully left the stage, but flowers, buds and birds are all busy. Alpacas like the spring…
- The best plan is an alpaca plan · 17 min · Episode 351This is the podcast for alpaca people! I had great plans - but was beaten by the weather. How often does this happen to you? Plans are never fixed when you have alpacas. And any…
- Alpaca breakfast is my favourite meal of the day · 21 min · Episode 350This is the podcast for alpaca people! In the last episode, I promised breakfast with the girls. So here it is, as it happened. Enjoy the noisy birds and the mostly well-behaved…
- Areas of alpaca growth · 21 min · Episode 349This is the podcast for alpaca people! Growth of and with our alpacas has different aspects. From growing numbers through adding to the herd or multiplying by breeding…
- And so the alpaca new year begins · 19 min · Episode 348This is the podcast for alpaca people! The new year begins, but is hardly noticed by the alpacas. Just another day. Wet weather turned cold, then snow and ice. The alpacas loved…
- A Christmas walk with in the valley with the alpacas · 27 min · Episode 347This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, join me as I walk around the valley. Enjoy breakfast with the girls, then head out and about up the valley. There is also…
- A welcome from the alpacas · 17 min · Episode 346This is the podcast for alpaca people! Welcome to all of you, wherever you are listening, but especially my listeners from Brazil. Thank you. I appreciate it. Alpacas are curious…
- How alpacas can teach you to be flexible · 18 min · Episode 345This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Steve recounts a chaotic food delivery for the alpacas, reflecting on resilience and how to handle frustration in animal…
- Alpacas in the reservoir valley · 19 min · Episode 344This is the podcast for alpaca people! The rain has been abundant. I guess that is what made the valley a good site for a Victorian reservoir. Now it is home to our herd of…
- A walk and talk in the valley · 22 min · Episode 343This is the podcast for alpaca people! The tide of vegetation is receding as fall continues to arrive. The alpacas are enjoying the season and so am I. Join me for a walk and…
- Catching up with visitors to the valley · 20 min · Episode 342This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, the welcome early fall sunshine makes it easy to spend time out in the valley with the alpacas. Velvet mites, foxes and…
- Food water and mucking out - the daily alpaca chores · 18 min · Episode 341This is the podcast for alpaca people! Join me for a typical day with the alpacas and the associated chores. It is a delight on a sunny autumn morning with so many Robins singing…
- Have you worked out how alpacas sit down? · 16 min · Episode 340This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I want to talk about how alpacas sit and why. Alpacas love to sit, which is called cushing. They gather their legs…
- Fall arriving in the valley with the alpacas · 13 min · Episode 339This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, the season change has come quickly here in the valley with the alpacas. Listen to catch up on what has been happening with…
- What is a good number of alpacas to have? · 15 min · Episode 338This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I'm considering what a good number of alpacas is. Probably the first answer is going to be... more! They are somewhat…
- A beautiful morning for breakfast with the alpacas · 17 min · Episode 337Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! We had a named storm pass through, but today is calm, still and sunny. A perfect day for breakfast with the girls. Why don't you join…
- What to ignore with your alpacas · 23 min · Episode 336Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I offer a tip for dealing with overwhelm, suggest ways to learn more about alpaca behaviour, and explain looking out…
- How to prepare for cria birthing season · 15 min · Episode 335Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I continue reflecting on the cria birthing season and how we can be prepared. This includes talking to some people…
- Fond memories of cria watch and alpaca birthing season · 17 min · Episode 334Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Memories abound of the magic of alpaca births. Mostly straightforward, but I always liked to be around to be available to help when…
- Hunting flies and growing your alpaca herd · 17 min · Episode 333Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! The weather has warmed, bringing some flies. Including an early appearance by the large horseflies usually reserved for a week in July…
- That was a close shave · 19 min · Episode 332I am delighted to report that the shearing is finished for another year. It was physically demanding but less so than in some previous years. The alpacas have just about forgiven…
- Some alpaca jobs just need two people · 17 min · Episode 331Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I consider the difficulty of doing some alpaca jobs alone. There is also a valley update about the new ready-made…
- Chilling in the sun with the alpacas · 20 min · Episode 330Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Beautiful spring mornings with the alpacas are a delight. Recognising that we are all connected to the life around us is an important…
- How to speak alpaca - or at least try · 17 min · Episode 329Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! We don't really know what is going on inside the head of an alpaca. What are they thinking? What do they think of us? It doesn't stop us…
- Valley update and podcast news · 20 min · Episode 328Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Podcast update The frequency of the Alpaca Tribe podcast will be changing from May 2025. It will become every two weeks rather than…
- Alpacas get old too · 20 min · Episode 327Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, following on my conversation with Rita of Campo Verde Alpacas and Llamas, we turned to ageing alpacas and owners and…
- A Spring/Autumn catch up with Rita Soares in Australia · 26 min · Episode 326Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Listen in as I catch up with Rita Soares in Victoria, Australia and hear about the arrival of Llamas at Campo Verde…
- An update in the valley with the alpacas · 24 min · Episode 325Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Spring continues to arrive. Which makes you think of Spring cleaning and updating tools and equipment. How are things…
- Rate limiting factors for growth · 14 min · Episode 324Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I have been musing about growth. How soon the grass starts growing is a prime factor in judging when spring has…
- One way to help your alpacas trust you · 27 min · Episode 323Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Confident and fulfilled owners of happy and healthy alpacas. It is why I do the podcast and I know it is a work in progress. One of the…
- Great opportunities to spend time with your alpacas · 19 min · Episode 322Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, you can join me as we talk Spring, field shelters and things that make you smile. Thanks for listening, and I hope you…
- Providing appropriate shelter for alpacas · 21 min · Episode 321Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Today was a weather day with a bit of everything. Very Spring-like. What kind of weather protection do alpacas need? In addition to…
- Creating the best expectations with your Alpacas · 14 min · Episode 320Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Listen in to this episode as I consider expectations. Everyone has expectations including you and your alpacas. What we do and how can…
- What alpacas need and like · 15 min · Episode 319Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Like all of us, alpacas thrive on familarity and the expected plus variety now and again. What kind of variety could you bring to the…
