There is really nothing more to say . . . the commercial says it all. This couple is awesome and it was so fun to see them in this commercial. Our path in life may take many twists and turns . . . it is fun to see how the friends we make along the way got from point A to B. Jeffrie Sue Carver and Clinton Brooks own C & J Alpaca Ranch in Fort Collins, CO.
http://fittoboom.msnbc.msn.com/?source=permalink#/home/video/9/0
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Business Start Up Package under $100,000--CASH
5 females bred for 2009, 1 comes with her 2009 cria at side, 6 females ready for breeding for 2010. Contact us soon and you can select their breedings from the males available on our farm. All (but the female cria) are or will be bred to Studmaster™ herdsires. 9 of them are Studmaster™ progeny. The purchase of each of the males in the package represents a 1/2 interest. You have full possession--we retain 1/2 interest so we can maintain our breeding rights.The purchase entitles you to the full benefits of the Ideal Alpaca Community--the only operational Alpaca EPD program in the country. Your purchase also includes a fully operational website and inclusion in our mentoring program. This price does not include transportation charges. Package includes agistment until all adult females are bred and ready for transport to your farm. And, don't forget, 90 days qualifies as a cash sale.Price: $98,750
Alpacas included in package: (15 alpacas) (click alpaca name to view details)
Bella - Huacaya, Female, White
Strong, beautiful and second generation Studmaster™. Buy her today and even though she is a 2009 cria she comes with a breeding to any of the herdsires available on our farm when she is ready (not including transport charges). She is also available in a package with her mother, Tucker Creek's Cheyenne....Read More
Cheyenne - Huacaya, Female, Pattern
Beautiful female from elite lines. Cheyenne's fiber has a soft silky handle with 4 to 5 crimps per inch. Her fiber continued to be in the low 20's for the 2008 shearing season. She stands proud and tall and has proven to be an incredible first time mom.Cheyenne comes with a breeding for 2010 and is also...Read More
Clearwater - Huacaya, Female, White
Clearwater is a perfectly white female out of a gorgeous dark brown dam. Her grandsire is El Toro and her sire is Hemingway's Bogart. She is an incredible second generation Studmaster™ female capable of bringing color, density, crimp and great conformation to your herd.An early August breeding to Glacial...Read More
Destiny's Child - Huacaya, Bred Female, Light Brown
Strong, energetic female with half Accoyo pedigree. Her fiber is dense, crimpy and fine. Her blanket is solid . . . the only white is on her head and chin. Her half brother was 2007 Fawn Color Reserve Champion at the California Classic. She can bring the same quality to your herd.She is currently bred ...Read More
Elana - Huacaya, Female, Dark Brown
Elana is a beautiful chocolate brown female. Fantastic coverage with a gorgeous head and a dense fleece. She is a wonderful proven mom having delivered four incredible females to date . . . one dark chocolate and two perfectly white and the fourth a lovely toffee color. Elana has given us four gorgeous fe...Read More
Jewell - Huacaya, Female, Medium Fawn
With the gentle spirit of Eloisa and Sun Tzu and the quality genetics from each of her parents Jewell will be a wonderful addition to your herd. As a second generation Studmaster™ progeny you will find in her the density, crimp and fineness we all seek....Read More
Katrina - Huacaya, Bred Female, Medium Silver Grey
What a beautiful grey female with a sweet disposition. She is an excellent mother. Her fiber is consistent throughout and she has a good handle. She is currently bred to EC Sun Tzu for a estimated July delivery. ...Read More
Loki - Huacaya, Female, Medium Fawn
Loki is a beautiful fawn greatgranddaughter of Peruvian Hemingway. She has a bit of color in her background including grey. She has a nice soft handle with ample staple length. She is scheduled to be bred in late June to Sun Tzu. That is the same breeding that last year produced Tucker Creek's Heath. H...Read More
Milagro - Huacaya, Bred Female, Medium Brown
Another gorgeous female out of Octavia . . . with Glacial Storm as dad. ...Read More
October Fest - Huacaya, Bred Female, Medium Rose Grey
October Fest is stunning with soft handling fleece. Interesting mahogany/coffee roan gray with beautiful profile. October Fest is currently being sold along with 1/2 interest in her 2008 male cria, Tucker Creek's Rocky Road. This includes full possession of the male cria. At his current age it is too soon...Read More
Tiffany - Huacaya, Female, Dark Silver Grey
Tiffany is a flashy dark grey female with light grey polka-dots. Her fleece is a rich color with high frequency crimp, super nice handle and the brightness you'd expect coming from two suri parents. Check out her histogram . . . pretty good, especially for grey!Tiffany delivered a beautiful male cria out o...Read More
Victoria - Huacaya, Bred Female, Medium Brown
An incredible Hemingway granddaughter. Victoria is a beautiful girl from Award Winning Studmaster™, Hemingway's Tequila. She is a wonderful mother. Her 2007 cria, Tucker Creek's Revival, is currently available as a young herdsire. Each year we select the male cria we feel have the most potential and Revival made...Read More
Revival - Huacaya, Male, Medium Brown
Another excellent example of the success of the Studmaster program. Revival is a second generation Studmaster progeny. His dam is out of MSA Hemingway's Tequila and his sire is EC Sun Tzu. He already is exhibiting many of the personality traits of Sun Tzu along with the density and crimp you would expect from h...Read More
Revolution - Huacaya, Male, White
Revolution has all the characteristics you hope for in a male--square conformation; low micron count; good staple length and a great attitude. He is strong and has the ability to bring rose grey into your herd along with the Accoyo attributes of his sire, Pacific Crest Accoyo Paul Revere.The photo of his ...Read More
Rocky Road - Huacaya, Male, Medium Fawn
Another gorgeous Sun Tzu male--vigorous and curious.1/2 interest in Rocky Road is currently included in a package with his dam for the current list price of the dam. This includes full possession of the male cria. At his current age it is too soon to tell if he will have a future as a herdsire. This is a g...Read More
Thursday, June 18, 2009
What Does a Herd Dispersal Sale Mean to YOU?
This topic was created out of a question asked by a new breeder in the midst of creating his business plan. To be perfectly frank, I hadn't given it a great deal of thought until he posed the question. AATC currently has room for more alpacas but buying alpacas doesn't fit in our current business model. We are currently fortunate to be agisting 35 alpacas for our clients, are planning on 17 more cria (about half of those for clients) for the 2009 birthing season, have 17 members of our foundation herd and 23 alpacas for sale.So, I sincerely had to give it some thought. Bottom line there is no simple answer. Dispersal sales are designed to sell off an entire farming operation or group of livestock in an expeditious manner generally brought about by an event such as retirement, health issues, death of an owner, financial necessity, market fluctuations--the list can be endless. Whether it is a good opportunity for the buyer remains to be seen. Nothing can take the place of your own due diligence. A great deal is no deal at all if you have registry problems; if the herd has health issues; if you can't get them bred--and there is no one left at the farm to honor the contract. The dispersal sales you see on-line and in your mail box are an opportunity and a risk. You are the only one who can define what level of risk you are capable of withstanding. As with any purchase of breeding livestock you must make sure the animal is registered, that the seller you are buying from has a right to sell the animal, and that the breeding animals come with live birth and reproductive guarantees. If there is a guarantee will the seller be in a position to honor that guarantee after they retire from the business?
Do not get me wrong--there are many reputable alpaca breeders out there selling their herds--and you can be comfortable in buying from them. But be sure to do your due diligence. Being a retired CPA, I like a good deal. But a good deal could be the purchase you make from a breeder who is not going out of business; who may be charging a bit more than the dispersal farm; but will still be in business after you have taken the animals home. That is a decision only you can make.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Special Tax Break on New Car Purchases Available in States With No Sales Tax
Just released today from the IRS--this deduction is available for any and all taxpayers--you are not required to own a business to qualify--it is an itemized deduction:
WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department today announced that a tax break for the purchase of new motor vehicles is available in states that do not have a state sales tax. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, taxpayers who buy a new motor vehicle this year are entitled to deduct state or local sales or excise taxes paid on the purchase.
The IRS and Treasury have determined that purchases made in states without a sales tax – such as Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon – can also qualify for the deduction.
The IRS said today that taxpayers who purchase a new motor vehicle in states that do not have state sales taxes are entitled to deduct other fees or taxes imposed by the state or local government. The fees or taxes that qualify must be assessed on the purchase of the vehicle and must be based on the vehicle’s sales price or as a per unit fee. According to the IRS, Congress intended for these fees or taxes to qualify for this special tax deduction.
“This special tax break is available for people purchasing a new car this year, and that can include people in states without a sales tax,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “This means that more people can take advantage of this deduction when they file their tax returns next year.”
To qualify for this deduction, the vehicle must be purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2010. Taxpayers can claim this special deduction only on their 2009 tax returns to be filed next year.
The deduction is limited to the fees or taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a qualified new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle.
The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers.
The special deduction is available regardless of whether taxpayers itemize deductions on their returns. Taxpayers who do not itemize will add this additional amount to the standard deduction on their 2009 tax return. The IRS reminded taxpayers the deduction may not be taken on 2008 returns.
WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department today announced that a tax break for the purchase of new motor vehicles is available in states that do not have a state sales tax. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, taxpayers who buy a new motor vehicle this year are entitled to deduct state or local sales or excise taxes paid on the purchase.
The IRS and Treasury have determined that purchases made in states without a sales tax – such as Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon – can also qualify for the deduction.
The IRS said today that taxpayers who purchase a new motor vehicle in states that do not have state sales taxes are entitled to deduct other fees or taxes imposed by the state or local government. The fees or taxes that qualify must be assessed on the purchase of the vehicle and must be based on the vehicle’s sales price or as a per unit fee. According to the IRS, Congress intended for these fees or taxes to qualify for this special tax deduction.
“This special tax break is available for people purchasing a new car this year, and that can include people in states without a sales tax,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “This means that more people can take advantage of this deduction when they file their tax returns next year.”
To qualify for this deduction, the vehicle must be purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2010. Taxpayers can claim this special deduction only on their 2009 tax returns to be filed next year.
The deduction is limited to the fees or taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a qualified new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle.
The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers.
The special deduction is available regardless of whether taxpayers itemize deductions on their returns. Taxpayers who do not itemize will add this additional amount to the standard deduction on their 2009 tax return. The IRS reminded taxpayers the deduction may not be taken on 2008 returns.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Just 5 Minutes Apart
Saturday afternoon we were watching the Belmont Stakes on television and just about the ti
me all the excitement at Belmont Park was dying down the excitement in our pasture was just beginning. Tucker Creek's Cheyenne was in mid-delivery with two legs and a head hanging out. We raced down to the pasture and identified that all was going smoothly when we realized that Cheyenne was not the only mom ready to bring a new cria into the world--IAOC Iomi was just a few minutes behind Cheyenne--but she had only one leg and a head showing. With just a quick search for the other leg all was in perfect position for the next arrival.
So at 4:00 Cheyenne presented us with a beautiful white female cria we named Tucker Creek's Bella (in honor of the Belmont). She weighed in at 19.0 pounds and is busy healthy girl.
At 4:05 Iomi presented us with a handsome medium fawn male cria we named Tucker Creek's Belmont Runner (in
honor of the Belmont and, yes, because he is quite the runner). He weighed in at 15.2 pounds and is still running.
Both of these gorgeous cria were sired by our handsome Studmaster™ EC Sun Tzu.
Bella and Cheyenne are our featured package for the combined price of $16,750. First and second generation Studmaster™ females including a breeding for each of them.
Three more ladies are due any time--two of them are ours--Queen Amidala, AOO and River Rock's Tiffany, the third belongs to one of our clients. Will keep you posted as they arrive.
me all the excitement at Belmont Park was dying down the excitement in our pasture was just beginning. Tucker Creek's Cheyenne was in mid-delivery with two legs and a head hanging out. We raced down to the pasture and identified that all was going smoothly when we realized that Cheyenne was not the only mom ready to bring a new cria into the world--IAOC Iomi was just a few minutes behind Cheyenne--but she had only one leg and a head showing. With just a quick search for the other leg all was in perfect position for the next arrival.So at 4:00 Cheyenne presented us with a beautiful white female cria we named Tucker Creek's Bella (in honor of the Belmont). She weighed in at 19.0 pounds and is busy healthy girl.
At 4:05 Iomi presented us with a handsome medium fawn male cria we named Tucker Creek's Belmont Runner (in
honor of the Belmont and, yes, because he is quite the runner). He weighed in at 15.2 pounds and is still running.Both of these gorgeous cria were sired by our handsome Studmaster™ EC Sun Tzu.
Bella and Cheyenne are our featured package for the combined price of $16,750. First and second generation Studmaster™ females including a breeding for each of them.
Three more ladies are due any time--two of them are ours--Queen Amidala, AOO and River Rock's Tiffany, the third belongs to one of our clients. Will keep you posted as they arrive.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Seminar & Shearing Weekend Update
The last weekend of June is shearing weekend at Alpacas at Tucker Creek. It will start out with a seminar presented by Carrie Hull from Coarse Broads entitled "A Good Yarn--Essential Yarn Basics That Every Alpaca Breeder Should Know" on Saturday, June 27th starting at 9:30 am. Click on the title to get more details on the seminar. A continental breakfast (being served at 8:30 am and lunch (being served immediately following the seminar) are included with your seminar registration. Serendipity Caffe of Warrenton will be catering our weekend again this year. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. The cost of the seminar is $50 per person paid via check or credit card. Click here to register. As always, seminars are free to client farms.
Following the seminar from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm will be an "Open Barn" for seminar participants, family and friends only. (The public will be welcome to attend the shearing activities on Sunday and Monday.) This will be a great opportunity for you to see Carrie in action as she sorts fiber from area alpaca farms being brought to Tucker Creek for her expertise. Also available will be spinning and other fiber demonstrations along with tours of the barns and pastures and a great chance to check out the new cria.
Then shearing begins on Sunday afternoon, June 28th. Armando Victoria and his crew are scheduled to be here mid-day as they will be shearing for Pat and Rhonda Green at Alpacas at Bear Creek in the morning.
Carrie Hull will be our resident certified sorter again this year. Several of the individuals who attended her seminar last year have started the two year apprenticeship program and will be sorting beside her.
If you wish to help on either day please contact us no later than Friday, June 26th, so we can finalize our duty roster in advance of the event. Shearing on Sunday will begin at 1:00 pm (or whenever Armando arrives). Shearing on Monday will begin at 8:00 am and will be over whenever Armando is. Note the overriding theme here--it all begins and ends with Armando Victoria.
If you wish to watch the event but not get dirty (and we do tend to get dirty) the cost of admission is a nonperishable food item for the Clatsop Community Action Regional Food Bank or the Clatsop County Animal Control Shelter.
Look forward to seeing you there. It is a lot of work but it is our harvest and it is the culmination of all our year long efforts. And from the alpacas' point of view--they are just thrilled to get rid of all that fiber. Even little ones get shorn--here is a shot of Candy and her mom, Queen Amidala, after her tips were shorn at six days of age--you should come back this year just to see what she looks like now.
It is absolutely gorgeous on the Oregon Coast this time of year. Why not make it a nice long weekend--check out some of the hotels listed below and the link to the Chamber website to participate in some of the other wonderful activities available in our little part of the world.
Cannery Pier Hotel - right on the Columbia River, incredible views, day spa available by reservation. Be sure to ask for Ally Stevens when you check availability. ally@cannerypierhotel.com - email
Hotel Elliott - in the center of downtown Astoria--recently restored, beautifully historic.
Holiday Inn Express - also located right on the Columbia River-a little less expensive but still breathtaking views.
Check out the website of the Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce for a more detailed list of hotels and other activities happening on the coast.
If you are coming in via Portland International Airport, you will be happy to know there is now an air shuttle service available. It is called Seaport Airlines and their service cuts a two hour drive down to a 25 minute flight. To further simplify your weekend planning there is a Hertz Car Rental office at Astoria Regional Airport. Click here for directions to Alpacas at Tucker Creek.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us--we would love to visit with you. Hope you are enjoying the wonderful spring weather and will be able to join us for the seminar, or shearing or both. Enjoy!
Following the seminar from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm will be an "Open Barn" for seminar participants, family and friends only. (The public will be welcome to attend the shearing activities on Sunday and Monday.) This will be a great opportunity for you to see Carrie in action as she sorts fiber from area alpaca farms being brought to Tucker Creek for her expertise. Also available will be spinning and other fiber demonstrations along with tours of the barns and pastures and a great chance to check out the new cria.
Then shearing begins on Sunday afternoon, June 28th. Armando Victoria and his crew are scheduled to be here mid-day as they will be shearing for Pat and Rhonda Green at Alpacas at Bear Creek in the morning.
Carrie Hull will be our resident certified sorter again this year. Several of the individuals who attended her seminar last year have started the two year apprenticeship program and will be sorting beside her.
If you wish to help on either day please contact us no later than Friday, June 26th, so we can finalize our duty roster in advance of the event. Shearing on Sunday will begin at 1:00 pm (or whenever Armando arrives). Shearing on Monday will begin at 8:00 am and will be over whenever Armando is. Note the overriding theme here--it all begins and ends with Armando Victoria.
If you wish to watch the event but not get dirty (and we do tend to get dirty) the cost of admission is a nonperishable food item for the Clatsop Community Action Regional Food Bank or the Clatsop County Animal Control Shelter.
Look forward to seeing you there. It is a lot of work but it is our harvest and it is the culmination of all our year long efforts. And from the alpacas' point of view--they are just thrilled to get rid of all that fiber. Even little ones get shorn--here is a shot of Candy and her mom, Queen Amidala, after her tips were shorn at six days of age--you should come back this year just to see what she looks like now.
It is absolutely gorgeous on the Oregon Coast this time of year. Why not make it a nice long weekend--check out some of the hotels listed below and the link to the Chamber website to participate in some of the other wonderful activities available in our little part of the world.
Cannery Pier Hotel - right on the Columbia River, incredible views, day spa available by reservation. Be sure to ask for Ally Stevens when you check availability. ally@cannerypierhotel.com - email
Hotel Elliott - in the center of downtown Astoria--recently restored, beautifully historic.
Holiday Inn Express - also located right on the Columbia River-a little less expensive but still breathtaking views.
Check out the website of the Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce for a more detailed list of hotels and other activities happening on the coast.
If you are coming in via Portland International Airport, you will be happy to know there is now an air shuttle service available. It is called Seaport Airlines and their service cuts a two hour drive down to a 25 minute flight. To further simplify your weekend planning there is a Hertz Car Rental office at Astoria Regional Airport. Click here for directions to Alpacas at Tucker Creek.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us--we would love to visit with you. Hope you are enjoying the wonderful spring weather and will be able to join us for the seminar, or shearing or both. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
All Any of Us Really Have to Sell is Our Integrity
Whether selling widgets, services or alpacas, in today's economy more than ever, all any of us really have to sell is our integrity. Will the product or service stand up to the expectations of the buyer and will the seller be ready to support that purchase long after the ink has dried. You already know we are in business to sell alpacas--but we want you to be a client not just once, but for years to come. And to that end, here are our terms.
- All females sold include one year's free agistment.
- All inclusive agistment fee includes routine husbandry issues such as nail trimming and shearing as well as customary veterinary care (only care requiring a trip to the veterinary clinic or the veterinary hospital will be your responsibility).
- Lifetime live birth guarantee to the owner of the dam at the time of delivery. Should the cria ever die while owned by the owner at the time of delivery AATC will provide a free breeding to the dam. Transportation costs not included.
- Small farm feel—large farm experience. In operation since 2003. To date we have had 108 cria at Alpacas at Tucker Creek.
- Ideal Alpaca Community member—purchase of any of our animals will allow your entire herd the benefits membership allows.
- Studmaster™breedings—reduced fees for drivebys and repeat customers.
- All adult females are sold bred along with a breeding for the following year.
- Discounts for multiple purchases and repeat buyers.
- Flexible payment programs including package and or cash discounts; payments via cash, check, credit card or Paypal with terms to meet your individual needs. Current rates as low as 4%.
- Halter and lead ropes with each purchase.
- Assistance with farm planning--from business plans, to farm layout to breeding selections to marketing. And, all seminar registration fees are waived for clients of AATC.
- Your purchase of a female alpaca also includes free transportation (not to exceed $500).
We look forward to working with you whether you attend one of our seminars, come by for a farm visit, decide to purchase some of our beautiful alpacas or just want to bounce some ideas off of us.
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