Articles

Author:

John Andresen
John is a skilled Software Engineer, Technical Writer, Graphic Designer, and Project Manager with decades of experience in livestock marketing.
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Investing in Farming

Investing in agriculture is a smart strategic decision. After all, regardless of the state of the overall economy—whether it's in a recession or booming—people still need to eat. This makes agriculture and farming investments attractive to many investors, as they are often recession-proof. Additionally, with the world's population on the rise, farming is expected to play an increasingly vital role in sustaining global societies....
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Author:

Samira Giovannini
Giovannini is a dedicated Ph.D. student with a passion for agriculture, animals, and genetics.
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Genetic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Belted Pig Breeds: A Review

In many parts of the world, belted pig breeds have been selectively raised for their distinctive appearance for centuries. These pigs present a white belt of variable width, generally centred on the shoulders or trunk on a solid black background. The present review aimed to identify and describe, from a genetic point of view, all existing pig breeds with this peculiar coat pattern. Using the online database, 42 pig breeds, their origin, productive, and reproductive data, and conservation status have been identified. Most of them are local small-size breeds, some extinct or endangered. Highlighting the attention paid to these breeds and their role as local livestock is of great importance for conserving local biodiversity....
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Author:

Kim Andresen
Kim Andresen is a dynamic and versatile individual with a rich tapestry of experiences across agricultural, higher education, corporate settings, and non-profit organizations.
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Stonyridge Alpacas: Hooked on the Alpaca Business

At first Wayne Buttolph visited the Phillip Foster Farms Alpaca Excursion in Eagle Creek, Oregon and fell instantly in love. That day they went home as proud new Alpaca owners and Stonyridge Alpacas was born. With the goal of a profitable business by the end of five years, they purchased $100,000 worth of animals the first two years. Animal sales through the end of year three have returned 50% on those original purchases, and with ten cria expected this year (all with top-notch bloodlines) the hope is to be showing a profit well before the end of their 5-year plan. Theirs is not exactly a get-rich-quick story, but it certainly is one that most small business owners would certainly love to call their own. The secret to their success is simple: a well-thought-out and direct business approach from the start.....

Author:

John Andresen
John is a skilled Software Engineer, Technical Writer, Graphic Designer, and Project Manager with decades of experience in livestock marketing.
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I Believe in Alpacas

I saw my first alpacas in 1997 and I had the same reaction that most people do: I was fascinated by them. But then I got to know their potential and how they are easy to care for and how incredible their fiber is. Unfortunately, still only a small percentage of Americans know what an alpaca is and much fewer know how warm and soft their fiber is.

I believe in alpacas. In many ways, the alpaca industry started in the eighties, and when I found that out, I was excited by the historical significance of alpacas. They are one of the few modern ranching industries and I am a part of it! That's exciting to me. We, in the alpaca industry, are making history...
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Author:

Kim Andresen
Kim Andresen is a dynamic and versatile individual with a rich tapestry of experiences across agricultural, higher education, corporate settings, and non-profit organizations.
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Disappearing Creek Alpacas: Thinking Like New Alpaca Ranchers

Everyone wants to help people get started in the alpaca industry, especially by selling animals to them; however, often experienced alpaca ranchers forget how it feels to just be starting. Remembering what the issues, concerns, and confusions that new-comers have can be a big help in your ability to sell to them. The following story is about Disappearing Creek, a new alpaca ranch, how they started and what they had to learn....