Live Chat Added to Blog

Remembering back to when we first started researching alpacas, we had what seemed like a never ending list of questions.  And, we didn't have just one list, it seemed they were all over the place so we would not lose track of our questions.  Now that is not necessary.  We have just added AlpacaAnswers to our blog (and soon to our website as soon as I can master the html commands to activate it).  So now when you have a question just click on the LiveSupport button and ask it while it is still fresh in your mind.  Whenever we are on the computer it will be live so that we can begin a dialog to get you an answer quickly and if we are away from the computer it will leave us a message that we will respond to when we return.   Pretty simple! 

Social Media is lost on me . . . sorry!

I've tried Twitter and Facebook . . . so far have not been able to find a productive business purpose.  Goodness sakes . . . I don't even like texting.  I've finally resigned myself to leave the 140 characters required by Twitter behind and quit worrying about coming to terms with social media.  I seem to be able to handle the concept of a blog . . . though not as regularly as I would like.  That is one of my goals for 2011 . . . don't want to say resolutions . . . that would already be setting myself up for failure given the American propensity for not fulfilling resolutions . . . but I am going to try to be more regular in my postings on the blog.  You can all be my watch dogs.  If I'm not posting often enough send me a line and let me know what you would like to hear about or pose any questions you currently have.  We will do all we can to provide an answer or find someone who can answer your question. 

Wishing you the best for 2011.  We are definitely in a new era for alpacas.  The economy has had an impact on every segment of our lives and over the next few months we will be trying to share what can be done to maximize your alpaca bottom line in light of our current economic issues.   Stay tuned!  We would love to hear what you have to say!

Oops . . . made a mistake on last entry

In the prior blog entry there is reference to the most recent tax law regarding bonus depreciation.  It was stated that the 50% bonus depreciation was extended through 2010.  That was an error . . . here is the corrected info:

A 100% writeoff in the placed-in-service year of the cost of property eligible for bonus depreciation under Code Sec. 168(k) . This will apply for property acquired and placed in service after Sept. 8, 2010, and before Jan. 1, 2012.

A 50% bonus first-year depreciation allowance under Code Sec. 168(k) for property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2011, and before Jan. 1, 2013.

So bottom line, Bonus Depreciation is going to be around through the end of 2012.  Now that is a planning opportunity.  And remember . . . there are no offset limitations to bonus depreciation . . . it can offset earned income, interest, dividends, pensions, rental income, capital gains . . . any kind of income.  The only stipulations . . . the assets must be NEW and placed in service by the end of the year to be eligible as a deduction for that year.  A new alpaca is a male or female of breeding age who has not yet produced a cria.
 
Sorry for the error . . . but what great news!

Expanded Tax Deductions + Great Sales Prices = Exceptional Year End Opportunity

Just the basics for this entry. The IRS has expanded the Section 179 Deduction available for 2010 and 2011 to $500,000 with a purchase ceiling of $2,000,000. They have also extended the 50% bonus depreciation through 2010. Both of those deductions make year end buying a great tax strategy.

When you couple those deductions with our year end sale, you have an opportunity to maximize your tax deductions while getting exceptional values. Select any alpaca on our sales list and get the second one for free (of equal or lesser value). For example, if you were to select Bella (list price $7,750) and Chloe ($6,750) you would get them both for $7,750.

So start pondering your tax situation and pick out the alpacas that will enhance and or diversify your breeding program.  Just make your decision by midnight on December 31st for it to apply to 2010. 

Our Buddy Dick

DICK FANDRICH

08/31/1929 to 09/09/2010

Many of you who have visited our farm over the years met our buddy, Dick Fandrich, so we wanted to take this opportunity to share with you that Dick died late Thursday night of congestive heart failure. He would always tease that to know him was to love him and for the most part that was true. Doc Hunter phrased it well when he said Dick was one of those very funny, larger than life guys who just kept defying death. He'd had a stroke over ten years ago, multiple heart attacks and next to no concern for his diabetes. Years ago during one of his more challenging health related days he chose going to breakfast over going to the emergency room as he was concerned when they allow him to eat. We eventually went to the ER but not before he had his favorite breakfast. He was everything from an airline mechanic to a bus driver to a detective sergeant for the San Francisco Police Department to a real estate broker to a marketing entrepreneur and who knows how many other different professions over his 81 years.  More than anything he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and dreamer with patience beyond that of Charlie Brown and his football.  He believed what you told him and was one of the most optimistic individuals you would ever want to meet.  He will be truly missed.

Be Careful What You Name Them

Many of you know that Peggy's mom moved into our home late last year and remodeled the area that formerly was our office. She has been helping come up with names for our new arrivals. 

When the little munchkin to the right arrived Mom could see from her window that she was quite small compared to some of the others who had arrived this year.  Mom's family is from Yugoslavia and the language is Croatian.  The word "tiny" in Croatian is "mala".  So she called us down in the pasture to give her suggestion as to a name for our latest addition to the herd.  Peggy thought it was quite appropriate but noticed that our friend, Felipe, immediately smiled upon hearing it.  So not being the greatest at remembering her Spanish, Peggy asked what does "mala" mean in Spanish . . . many of you know the answer . . . bad girl.  My mother felt it wasn't appropriate to label a perfect tiny little girl with a name that was so unappealing . . . but how could you not! 

So, the perfect tiny little girl is Tucker Creek's Mala and she is doing her best to deserve that moniker.

We have had times before where we named a critter and they just became their name . . . like Tucker Creek's Bungee Buuud . . . we had to add mesh to the tops of the gates so he wouldn't jump through to get back to mom when he was weaned . . . not to mention what a treat he was to weigh.  So, becareful what you name them . . .

Two Cooked Long Enough to Become Girls!!!

The two most recent deliveries were both female . . . yeahhhhhh!  But one delivered on day 384 and the other on day 365.  The obvious question, of course, "did you mess up the breeding dates" and the answer to both is a very clear NO.  Each of the ladies was bred only once . . . pretty tough to confuse.  And thank heavens the second took a year . . . she was only 13.2 pounds . . . you would not have wanted her to come out any sooner.  Both are very healthy. 

The first born on August 1 (day 384)  is named Tucker Creek's Astoria and she is the product of Cordelia and Sun Tzu and true to her father's contribution has incredibly dense crimpy fiber. 

On August 23 Khani delivered a beautiful Sun Tzu baby girl named Tucker Creek's Mala on day 365.  It was Khani's first delivery and it was truly text book.  She may be tiny but makes up for it in spirit.

The next group of cria should start arriving around Labor Day.  Ten to go . . . five are ours and five are client animals.  So there are still some opportunities to buy bred females and have a cria in 2010 AND take advantage of the tax benefits available this year but currently scheduled to go away in 2011.  Amor, Chloe, Gidget and McKenzie are all bred to Hemingway's Bogart.