Paco-Vicunas at the Estes Park Wool Market
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Paco-Vicunas...a new breed that combines the fineness of the vicuna with the better staple length of the alpaca. The vicuna is the wild ancestor of the alpaca, meaning that alpacas were domesticated from the wild vicuna. And llamas were domesticated from the wild guanaco. Both the Vicuna and Guanaco possess the finest fleeces in the animal kingdom. True vicuna fineness measures 10-12 microns, but is a very short staple fleece, often measuring less than 1.5 inches. By searching for alpacas in remote areas of Chile, Phil Switzer was able to find many alpaca that appeared to have a greater expression of the vicuna traits of extreme fineness, extreme fleece density, as well as a much more delicate bone structure and a more vicuna-like color pattern, thereby hoping that those animals reflected a greater concentration of vicuna genetics than the average alpaca expresses.These alpaca were imported into the USA and continue to be bred to concentrate the expression of those vicuna traits. The end result is the Paco-Vicuna, a more primitive alpaca that produces fleece as fine as 12.5 microns and has the genetic traits of maintaining that fineness as they age. PVs can also produce a staple length of 2.5-3.5 inches on average even with this extreme fineness and density. There is a marked difference in fleece structure and style with PVs as compared to alpaca or llama. With less than 1000 PVs in the USA, take the opportunity to come see the Paco-Vicunas on display at the Estes Park Wool Market! There will be an “ see and feel” educational comparative exhibit of most fiber types on display in the paco-vicuna area.
Anyone interested in more information about the show or to reserve Paco-Vicuna stalls for this year’s Wool Market should contact Jane Levene at jlevene@comcast.net. The deadline to reserve stall space is May 23, 2023. You may place your order of hay, alfalfa, or straw for the 2023 Wool Market by contacting BigHorn Sheep, LLC. Send your order to kaylaestsp@aol.com.
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