Close shave: Shearing time

A llama grimaces while Marty Hoffman, a journeyman shearer from Malta, MT, shears the fiber around its' head.

A shaved alpaca stands in the barn while it's fleece gets put into bags in the shearing room.

by NATE CHUTE/ Daily Inter Lake
| July 18, 2010 2:00 AM

A shaved alpaca stands in the barn while it's fleece gets put into bags in the shearing room.

Great Northern Ranch south of Columbia Falls, owned by Steve and Sue Rolfing, recently held its annual shearing session for dozens of their alpacas and llamas.

It takes about 10 minutes to shear each animal, during which time they are also vaccinated.

The upper back area of the alpacas is shorn first, as that is where the softest fleece is found. The softer fiber is used for hats, sweaters and scarves. The rest is used for rugs or other fiber goods.

Alpaca fiber is usually warmer and softer than wool from sheep.