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Dear AOBA Member,
THE TIME HAS COME Over the last several months most of you have received our updates from American Alpaca Fiber Federation, LLC (AAFF) regarding our developing for the first time in history a major textile market for American Alpaca fiber. I want to share with you now the most important update. We are now ready to purchase your fiber!! Before I get into the purchasing details, allow me to recap a few highlights: · American Alpaca Fiber Federation, LLC (AAFF) was created by Fantasy Farm Alpacas for the single purpose of marketing American raised Alpaca fiber. We were not happy with our current options. Fantasy Farm Alpacas is the largest and oldest Alpaca breeder in Texas. It is our personal belief that all Alpaca breeders must find a viable end use for their fiber or our industry will ultimately collapse. For those who are pleased with their current Alpaca fiber market, we encourage you to continue with it. There were several good options available. But for the masses like us, we needed a more viable option. We needed cash for our fiber. · In early 2008 American Alpaca Fiber Federation, LLC (AAFF) was formed as a limited liability corporation for the single purpose of locating a major textile market for our alpaca fiber. · AAFF began searching the world for a major end user for our Alpaca fiber. · AAFF has set out to design a Cotton/Alpaca denim blend for a high end fashion jean. · Results from mill testing showed us that the 5” - 6” Alpaca fiber must be cut. The textile mill could not accept fiber longer than 1.5”. It had to be similar to cotton lengths. AAFF began the long process of searching the world for a production machine that could cut and process tons of Alpaca fiber in a production operation. Such a machine was located, the only one known of its kind. It was purchased and restored (click here for pictures). A baler was also purchased so as to bale the cut and processed fiber (click here for pictures). · AAFF worked diligently with our Advertising and Marketing firm so as to develop our initial advertising and marketing campaigns. On July 9, 2008 those initial campaigns were completed. AAFF targeted a high end fashion conscious demographic group with an age range between 16 and 21 years of age. This group has the most expendable income for a high end fashion jeans. (Click here for a look at this ad campaign.) · In July AAFF began to work on finalizing the method with which we would purchase the fiber. It was decided that the best method would be to create a mobile Alpaca fiber processing unit. The idea was that our mobile unit would travel across America stopping at major Alpaca events and farms to purchase, cut, process and bale fiber. This would allow most Alpaca farms access to our unit without incurring shipping costs. On July 3, 2008 AAFF purchased our custom made 44’ long trailer which was converted into AAFF’s Mobile Alpaca Fiber Processing Unit. (Click here for pictures.) · Initial tests proved out that Alpaca fiber could be used in an (approx.) 80% Cotton / (approx.) 20% Alpaca high end denim product. More importantly initial tests showed that when cut to the 1.5” lengths, Alpaca fiber could be milled into fabric in conventional textile mills. That meant that the Alpaca industry no longer needed to wait on a special Alpaca mill to be built. It also meant that Alpaca fiber could be used in fabrics sold to the masses and not just woven goods. In late July fashion retailers such as GAP and others worldwide indicated to AAFF a great interest in our new high end Alpaca/Cotton denim fashion jean.
WE ARE NOW READY TO START Inordinate amounts of time and money have been spent to create AAFF and bring it to this point. On September 1st of this year we will take to the road and begin purchasing Alpaca fiber nationwide as we take our Mobile Alpaca Fiber Processing trailer to major Alpaca farms and Alpaca events. The following is the basic information you will need. 1. Membership in AAFF is required. The membership fee is $250.00 for a 5 year term. Click here for a copy of the membership form for your reading and signing. All those wishing to sell fiber to AAFF in 2008 must sign the membership form and return the form along with your $250.00 membership fee. Forms and payment should be sent to 215 W Bandera Rd, Ste 114-459, Boerne, TX 78006. All farms selling to AAFF must be an active member, no exceptions. It should be noted that the membership calculates to $50 per year which is less than what it would cost to ship even a small amount of fiber to another venue. Also, we are able to take the fleece directly off of the animal with out the breeder having to sort, skirt or scour the fiber. 2. Prices paid by AAFF for Alpaca fiber will vary with the posted world market prices each week. AAFF uses the largest reporting service in the world (Wool Record Weekly) to determine Alpaca fleece prices. To view today’s current Wool Record Weekly click here. Note all prices listed are in kg., not lbs. The posted price on the Wool Record is for White Adult Tops (Blankets). Because AAFF will purchase all Alpaca Fiber, the price paid to members will vary between current adult top prices to the low end neck and leg prices. AAFF will list weekly the price it is paying for adult tops and adult neck and leg fiber. Click here to view current AAFF pricing. This price will also be listed at our Mobile Alpaca Fiber Processing Unit daily. Although AAFF will purchase all alpaca fiber it will not pay a premium for fine spinning or baby alpaca. We leave those fibers to specialized markets if the breeder chooses to market in that way. All price docks will be posted as well. Examples of price docs would be for abnormally dirty fiber or a heavy concentration of vegetable matter in the fiber. It is AAFF’s intention to grow the price paid to members for fiber as our new products grow in demand. The current price is simply a starting point. Market demand will dictate everything. 3. AAFF will purchase all Alpaca fiber, both Huacaya and Suri, in all colors. 4. Most members of AAFF will not need to ship their fiber to us. Click here to see our web site proposed locations we intend to stop at in 2008 with our Mobile Alpaca Fiber Processing Unit. Since members are joining daily this map is only the beginning and will grow from this point. For those isolated farms that will not be near major farms or will not be attending some of the major Alpaca events, those members will need to ship their fiber to our unit near San Antonio, Texas. Those shipping costs are the responsibility of those members. 5. Settlement for Alpaca fiber sold to AAFF will be made the day the fiber is sold to AAFF in the form of a Payment Voucher. Click here for current AAFF pricing. The Payment Voucher will have listed on it the type of fiber sold, weight, posted price, docs. , etc. The member receives a copy of the Payment Voucher. The original is forwarded back to the AAFF main office for processing and then on to our textile mill for payment. Average turn around time for your check should be 90 – 120 days. We encourage you to visit AAFF’s web site, www.americanalpacafiberfederation.com, for more information, a pictorial time line and necessary membership forms. You are also welcome to call our office in Texas at 210-792-3442 for additional information by phone. Please remember, all memberships must be finalized within the next 30 days for fiber to be sold to AAFF. Although AAFF desires to purchase only American raised alpaca fiber, should sufficient quantities not be found, AAFF is prepared to purchase alpaca fiber from other countries so as to meet its contractual obligations. AAFF does not have the only answer to America’s alpaca fiber dilemma. Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America as well as many cottage industries all offer viable options. The single purpose of AAFF is to turn alpaca fiber into immediate cash and in so doing preserve the American alpaca breeder while creating greater public awareness for our animals and our industry. Look for our full page announcement in the Sept. 1st copy of AOBA’s “The Alpaca Magazine”. On September 1st, AAFF sets out to make history in our industry. While it may only be the beginning ….nonetheless it is a step, a gigantic step. We trust you will become a member and step out with us. Barbara Laird
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