If Dr. Suess had designed an animal, it would have been an alpaca, or so says John Heise. These sweet faced, kind tempered, soft, woolen creatures are right out of a storybook. However, there is so much more to an alpaca than first meets the eye.
Cindy Fronk and John Heise started Stargazer Alpaca Ranch 25 years ago as a way to enjoy the various "benefits" of country living on their gorgeous, sprawling 20 acre ranch in southeast Loveland. John and Cindy eventually grew their herd of nationally recognized, seedstock alpacas from just 10 alpacas in the beginning to over 150 alpacas. Stargazer Ranch is now a full time, nationally recognized livestock business. In the last couple years, with a “slower lifestyle" on the horizon, they have sold many of their award winning alpaca and now have about 50 alpacas and spend the majority of their time mentoring new owners, writing for livestock publications, and hosting educational programs rather than competing in shows on a national level.
“The vision of Stargazer Ranch has always been to raise the best quality alpacas using genetics and science as the guide. Other alpaca farms focus on "petting zoo" qualities (fluffy faces, exotic colors and tolerant personalities), while Stargazer focuses on fiber/production qualities that can be measured through the use of a mathematical matrix called "Expected Progeny Differences" (EPDs). Rather than simply looking ahead one year to the next crop of crias (alpaca babies), Stargazer breeds for multiple generations of improved fiber qualities. After 25 years of focused improvement, and over 400 crias born on their ranch, they are now in the 4th and 5th generation of planned Stargazer offspring. Their top quality alpacas routinely exhibit multiple fleece traits in the Top 1% in the national EPD program. In short, these alpacas are the cream of the crop, the best of the best!
The love that Stargazer Ranch, and all who work there, show these incredible animals is truly touching. Cindy and John believe that their lives have been enriched in more ways than they can count by these fascinating alpacas. They love and care for each animal in its own special way! On this ranch, there are cheeky nicknames, laughter, sneaky alpaca tricks, and even alpacas playing in the sprinkler on a hot day. Even the barn swallows who nest in the rafters of the ranch are treated with care and love. Stargazer Ranch is a special and magical place, for both humans and animals alike.
For more information on the breeding and owning of alpacas visit https://alpaca.net to get in touch with the wealth of knowledge at Stargazer Ranch.
Think your kiddo might want to become involved with alpacas? These organizations have youth activities with alpacas: AOA (Alpaca Owners Association) www.alpacainfo.com and ABR (Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies) www.alpacabreeders.org . Many counties also have 4-H programs which can be researched through the individual county offices.