At Southern Iowa Alpacas we have invested in the highest quality female foundation herd with genetic roots from Estancia Accoyo in Macusani, Peru. The owner of Accoyo, Don Julio Barreda, practiced the most rigid selective breeding of alpacas in all of South America. His selective breeding produced a herd famous for its uniform density and fineness. We are breeding our foundation females to Accoyo Herdsires from across the country. The resulting full Accoyo offspring are outstanding and represent the quality of his extensive breeding program.

It is estimated that less than 500 alpacas of the approximately 100,000 in the United States are full Accoyo bloodlines. Full Accoyo herdsires and dams are highly sought after as a means to upgrade the fiber quality of the North American alpaca herds.

Why are Accoyo genetics superior?

Don Julio managed a herd of approximately 2,500 alpacas. Of these only about 20% made up his plantel or elite breeding herd. He rigorously culled and refined his bloodlines for over 50 years. At Accoyo, if a yearling male was sheared and he did not produce six pounds of fleece hewas culled. At two years of age the potential herdsire had to produce ten pounds. The potential herdsires had to have a refined elegance, Accoyo's trademark head, large stature, and fine uniform fleece.

Don Julio was the first breeder in Peru to introduce fencing. This allowed him to develop his herd with certainty of lineage. Today his ranch maintains two herds of huacaya alpacas. One herd produces a fine, but less dense fleece of 20 microns or less. The other herd produces a very dense fleece of up to 24 microns. Most of these alpaca produce over 10 pounds of fleece annually.

Be sure to include a visit to Southern Iowa Alpacas in your search for alpacas. You will be able to see and feel the quality genetics of Accoyo in our alpacas.