In 8 years of shearing, I’ve observed some distinct fiber characteristics that seem related to each other. For example, the coarser and heavier the coat of guard hair, the softer, finer and more crimped the undercoat that it’s protecting. At the other extreme you’ll find llamas that, due to human intervention, have almost a single coat. The guard hairs can’t be completely bred out, but they can be averaged with the undercoat to produce a llama with long, fine, straight fiber.

This is a work in progress. I plan to add density, micron ranges for both undercoat and guard hair, and annual fiber yields sometime soon. Photos would also be helpful.

The groups described below are only intended as markers on a continuum. Every llama will have a place somewhere between the two extremes.

Use the continuum as a guide to fiber management, but also factor in climate, elevation, diet, condition, and whether or not the llama is stressed by breeding, pregnancy, lactation or illness. Also consider the age of the llama. Fiber diameter increases as the llama gets older. The regrowth rate for females diminishes when the protein in their system is diverted to the growth of a fetus. The regrowth rate for males slows at about 7 years of age.

SHORT

2 to 3 inch long extremely fine, well crimped undercoat on body, even shorter on neck and legs. Minimal shine due to crimp. Smooth head and legs.

3 to 4 inch long coarse textured, heavy coat of guard hairs on body, shorter, less noticeable on neck and legs. May have short mane on back of neck. Distinct "halo" of longer guard hairs is seen when llama is back lighted.

Blunt lock structure. Ends of undercoat will mat by about age 1 1/2 if not groomed.

Sheds yearly. Needs very little brushing to remove loose fiber or maintain coat in a ready to work/show condition.

MEDIUM SHORT

3 to 5 inch long fine, crimped undercoat on body, shorter on neck and legs. Smooth head and lower legs..

4 to 6 inch long heavy coat of guard hairs, shorter on neck and legs. Mane.

Back lighting makes short "halo" of guard hairs visible.

Blunt to intermediate lock structure. Outer 1 to 2 inches of undercoat will be matted by about age 1½ if not brushed or shorn.

Sheds yearly. Looses neck and leg fiber on own. Body fiber can be easily brushed out when coordinated with shedding. Guard hairs make surface cleaning of llama easy.

MEDIUM

5 to 7 inch long fine, slightly crimped undercoat on body, shorter on neck and legs. Longer fiber extends onto upper legs. May have short "bangs" on forehead and fringe on edge of ears. Moderate shine.

7 to 10 inch long moderate textured guard hairs with a small percentage in the intermediate category, shorter on neck and legs. Mane blends into fiber on neck.

Intermediate lock structure. Undercoat mats 2 to 3 inches deep if not shorn. Matting may start as early as 1 year old.

Sheds yearly or biannually, but may only be noticeable on neck and legs. Body fiber is long enough to cause llama discomfort if brushed. Should have at least barrel and rump shorn yearly.

MEDIUM LONG

10 to 14 inch long, silky textured undercoat on body. Neck fiber long enough to form a ruff and give neck a very substantial look. Longer fiber extends to knees on front legs and below hocks on back legs. Little or no crimp. Debris sticks as if to Velcro. Distinct "bangs" on forehead, fringe on ears, may also have "mutton chops" on cheeks when young. Females usually loose head, ear and some neck fiber when breeding age, males by age 7.

12 to 18 inch long intermediate guard hairs, shorter on neck and legs. Many guard hairs fine enough to leave in fleece and still be comfortable against skin if included in a garment. However, fiber must be cut into 3 to 6 inch lengths to be spun and cut ends of guard hairs may feel scratchy. Intermediate to narrow lock structure. Undercoat can mat to skin if not shorn on yearly basis. Mats may start to form as early as 6 months of age.

Ability to shed has been bred out, as with alpacas. Must be completely shorn every year.

LONG

More than 14 inches of undercoat, no crimp, very silky. Longer fiber down to front and back feet. Abundant head and ear fiber when young, diminishes with age. Dirt and debris difficult to remove from coat because of length. Glossy shine to all fibers.

Guard hairs hard to distinguish from undercoat. Found mainly on back of neck and legs. Can be as long as 36 inches on body.

Narrow or pencil lock formation, similar to a Suri alpaca. Coat mats easily, starting at several months of age. Mats form into large clumps and layers. Heavy mats pull on skin and can cause lesions; trapped body heat and perspiration also damage skin and fiber.

Does not shed. Must be completely shorn on a regular basis.

FACTORS YOU CAN CONTROL TO PRODUCE A QUALITY FLEECE

A. Feed management

1. Use feeders designed to keep hay off the ground.

2. Quantity as important as quality

a. Fat llamas produce fat fiber

b. "Starvation fineness" describes a weak, brittle fiber

B. Environment

1. Remove pasture plants with burrs or seed heads.

2. Fence off access to trees that drip sap or drop twigs and pine cones

3. Provide sand for rolling.

4. Avoid bark chips or sawdust for bedding.

C. Minimize stress as much as possible.

1. Anxiety due to lack of training, barking dogs, exposure to harsh weather conditions and overcrowding all have adverse effects on fiber quality.

2. Consult with your veterinarian and establish a program of internal and external parasite control.

3. Geldings often make the best fiber producers because they’re not subject to the stress of breeding and pregnancy.