A Good Yarn

Yarn is the base of all textiles. As a breeder of fiber producing animals, alpaca breeders need to understand how what you do affects this basic building block.

A Good Yarn walks you through how yarns are constructed, why they are constructed the way they are and the affect fiber health and fiber condition has on the yarns produced.

This three hour seminar will be presented by Carrie Hull from Coarse Broads at Alpacas at Tucker Creek in Astoria, OR on Saturday, June 27th as part of our three day shearing event. The cost of the seminar is $50 which includes course materials, continental breakfast and lunch. The cost of the course is included in the mentoring package for any clients of Alpacas at Tucker Creek.

As many of you may recall, 2008 was our first year to include fiber sorting in our shearing process. To say it was a success would be an understatement. In the big scope of things this service is worth so much more than the charge per fleece. Just knowing that by the end of shearing day all of the fiber is ready to go with recommendations for its highest and best use along with details we can use for future breeding decisions--makes us wish we had known about this years ago.

Another sorting event will find Peggy helping Hailey Parker at Snowy River Alpacas on May 18th in Colfax, CA, where Robyn Kuhl will be sorting her fiber. Find an event near you (be it a seminar or shearing event) and see what a huge benefit fiber sorting provides for your farm. A list of events is being compiled and will be posted soon. To learn more about the Certifed Sorted process go to www.naafp.us.

A Llama shares a Starburst

Starburst has a commercial including a llama. Not an alpaca--but still really cute. Sun Tzu would probably do this in a heart beat--but don't think it is a good idea to create such bad behavior in our star herdsire. He is bad enough with carrots.

Just thought you would all enjoy seeing this.

Tax Planning and Business Plans @ Northwest Alpacas

Alpaca Business and Tax Planning

Create Your Own Personal Business and Tax Plan

Instructors: Fred Kraft , Peggy Stevens

Date: Friday, March 20, 2009 Rescheduled for Monday, April 13, 2009

Course Description: Ideally, people who are considering purchasing their first alpacas will take this class before they spend their money. Most successful businesses start with a plan and we will help you create one for the alpaca business. The instructors have many years of experience as successful, profitable alpaca ranchers. (Includes a 10 year personalized business plan.) Click here to enroll.

Fred and Peggy generally present this seminar a couple of times each year. If you are thinking about buying your first alpacas this is a wonderful next step as you plan your operation. If you have been in the business and maybe are not accomplishing what you had hoped come to get a new focus on your business.

Look forward to seeing you there.

The Ohio State University Camelid Neonatal Conference

If you have never attended a neonatal seminar now is the time to attend this one. For those of you who have participated before you might be like me and want to go to one every year. They are incredibly informative and repeat attendance is very reinforcing.

Date & Time:

4/25/2009 8:00 AM

Location:

The Ohio State University

College of Veterinary Medicine

601 Vernon Tharp Street

Columbus, OH 43210

Contact: Office of Veterinary Continuing Education: (614) 292-8727

Course is intended for camelid owners and breeders. This course focuses on the pregnant female camelid and their care. Discussion will include the needs of the pregnant female as they get close to the birthing process. The birthing process (normal) and common problems observed during the later part of pregnancy, during the birthing process and for the first months of the crias life will also be covered along with the care and management of the newborn and its dam, as well as management factors which play a role in raising healthy camelids.

This is my alma mater--so go and enjoy the beauty of one great old university.

GO BUCKS!

As soon as the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Oregon State University schedules their neonatal seminar the announcement will be posted here. Check back often so you don't miss out.

3rd Annual Alpaca Woods Ranch Open House

Mark March 28th on your calendars as the 3rd Annual Open House at Alpaca Woods Ranch.

This event is our chance to share these wonderful animals with those of you who have been pondering your interest in this growing industry as well as those of you who have stopped by before. Plenty of changes have occurred in the last year—we have added more pastures, new shelters and, of course, the best part—new crias. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge but we would appreciate an RSVP just for planning purposes.

Again this year, Peggy Stevens from Alpacas at Tucker Creek (http://www.alpacadigest.com/) in Astoria, OR will be our featured speaker addressing the tax consequences of alpaca ownership. Peggy is a retired CPA with many years of small business experience. She and her husband, Dave, have been raising alpacas since 2003. She will be discussing the great opportunities this industry has to offer as well as some of the pitfalls to avoid. Time will also be allotted for your personal alpaca tax questions. Among her topics will be the criteria applied by the IRS to classify an operation as a business instead of a hobby; how to leverage the purchase price of alpacas by using funds which might otherwise pay current taxes; the importance of a business plan and other topics of interest at a time when tax code revision is again under serious consideration. She has been a featured speaker at the 2008 Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association National Conference; the Alpaca Institute at Northwest Alpacas as well as regional affiliate meetings.

The Open House will be from Noon to 5:00 p.m. The tax presentation will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Please advise if you will be able to join us on March 28th by phoning Ronnie at (770) 972-1247 when we will also provide you with driving directions.

Year End 2008

Wow—how I hate this cliché—but it is so true! Where has the time gone? 2008 has been a wild year. The alpaca industry continues to provide us with a very good living despite the issues with the economy. Prices may be a tad softer than a year ago but they are holding strong and continue to prove that the industry is and will remain viable.

For those of you who have been to our farm--here is an unusual shot--and it also displays what the alpacas on the Oregon coast think of snow. If you look really close you can see a couple of heads--but when there is snow they only seem to venture out to the pastures when the sun does.

This blog update is mainly made up of tax issues—not a surprise this time of year. The provision that continues to be one of the largest tax benefits all small businesses enjoy is Section 179. You only have four more days to take advantage of the increased deductions available in 2008. The limit for this year is $250,000 on qualifying asset purchases not exceeding $800,000. That deduction will be reduced to $133,000 on qualifying asset purchases not exceeding $530,000 next year.

Also available in 2008 is the 50% bonus depreciation deduction. There is no similar provision for 2009. This deduction only applies to new asset purchases. A maiden female alpaca qualifies as new for this deduction.

So review your tax position and seize the opportunity to take full advantage of these deductions before the clock strikes midnight on the 31st. It is not too late. Should you make the decision that buying your first alpaca or adding to your existing herd is the correct move for your particular tax situation be assured that contracts can be finalized up until that time. Much of the work can be accomplished via email, phone and fax. You do not need to take possession of the animals by midnight on the 31st.

If you have questions about any of the topics in this update feel free to contact us—we don’t want you to miss out on a single deduction.

Enjoy the remainder of the holiday season. We wish you a rewarding and productive 2009.

Don't look now--but tax time is almost upon us!

Call me Scrooge--but this is just a little reminder to encourage you to start thinking about the items that need to be completed by December 31st. The IRS has recently published two very helpful releases.

One details the various credits available as well as deductions you may be entitled to if you take action by the end of the year. Just click on the title above for the full text. Not specifically listed--but very important--is your Section 179 deduction for the year. You must have purchased (financing is OK) and placed in service your qualifying asset by December 31 for Section 179 to apply. Don't forget the limits in 2008 are significantly greater ($250,000) than they will be in 2009 ($133,000).

The second announcement relates to the download version of Publication 17. The IRS has placed its comprehensive tax guide for individuals on IRS.gov, updating it for tax year 2008. The updated on-line version of IRS Publication 17, “Your Federal Income Tax,” contains more than 900 interactive links. Publication 17 has been updated with important changes for 2008, including information on the new recovery rebate credit, new first-time-homebuyer credit, and an additional standard deduction for real estate taxes. It has been published annually by the IRS for more than 65 years and has been available on the IRS Web site since 1996. As in prior years, the publication provides information on how to file an individual tax return, what to include as income, how to calculate capital gains and losses, how IRAs and other expenses can affect how much income to report, whether to take the standard deduction or itemize, and how to figure taxes and credits. Publication 17 is available on line, however, those who do not have access to the Internet can call 1-800-829-3676 to request a free copy from the IRS. Printed copies will be available in January 2009.

Wow--just about anything you would want to know about income taxes. Enjoy the holidays--but do spend some time reviewing these releases so you can take advantage of every credit and deduction to which you are entitled.