Walking through the fields today, it was impossible not to notice the contrast between the alpacas that have already been shorn and the ones still carrying their full fleece coats. The freshly shorn alpacas look smaller, leaner, and somehow a little more athletic, while the unshorn alpacas still resemble fluffy walking clouds drifting across the pasture. It’s always funny how much fleece can completely change the way an alpaca looks. Underneath all that fiber is a much more streamlined animal than most people expect.
The changes go beyond appearance, though. Once an alpaca is shorn, you can immediately see how much more comfortable they become, especially as spring temperatures begin climbing. Instead of seeking shade and lounging through the warmer afternoons, the shorn alpacas tend to move around the fields more freely and spend more time grazing comfortably in the sun. Their thick fleece does a wonderful job protecting them during winter, but by late spring it starts becoming more like a very heavy wool sweater they can’t take off themselves.
Tomorrow we’ll continue shearing, and while the alpacas may not fully appreciate the process while it’s happening, they almost always seem happier afterward. With Montana weather bouncing back and forth between warm sunshine and surprise cold snaps, timing shearing season is always a balancing act. Still, seeing the difference in comfort and energy after shearing reminds us every year why this annual tradition is so important for keeping the herd healthy and comfortable heading into summer.