Upper Midwest Alpacas
Featured Farm
Costalota Alpacas, LLC at Kinney Valley Alpacas
Farm Information
| Farm Name: | Costalota Alpacas, LLC |
| Family Members: | Larry and Deana Fitzpatrick |
| Farm Address: | 28055 Novena Road Ontario WI 54651 |
| Phone Number/s: | 608-385-9910 608-784-1800 |
| Farm Website: | www.AlpacaNation.com/costalota.asp |
| Email Address: | costalotaalpacas@yahoo.com |
| First Year in Alpacas was: | 2006 |
| Number of Huacayas: | 26 |
| Who helps on your farm? | Justin Radloff from Kinney Valley Alpacas manages our herd. |
| Driving Directions: | From Wilton, WI take Hwy 131 south approximately 3 miles to Nordale Road. Turn left on Nordale and go to Novena Road. Turn left on Novena road and farm is at the end. From Ontario, WI take Hwy 131 north approximately 6 miles to Nordale Road. Turn right and follow above directions to farm. |
Larry and Deana Fitzpatrick
Services Offered
| Agisting / boarding: | N |
| Herd Sires at your farm: | Y |
| Mobile Herd Sire service: | Y |
| Fiber / fiber products for sale: | Y |
| Farm Store / finished product for sale: | N |
| Other services - See explanation below: | Y |
Where's the grain?
Stories from our Featured Farm
| Other services explained: | Costalota Alpacas offers mobile and drive-by herdsire services. We have herd starter packages available and quality breeding stock at affordable prices. Flexible financing options are available on all purchases. |
| How did you choose your Farm Name: | When we lived in California, we used to drive past an area of high end homes that were located on a street named Costalota Lane. Besides having a humorous side to it, we felt the name was quite fitting because alpacas are high-end animals. |
| What makes your farm or herd unique and special: | We continue to focus on improvement to fiber density and fineness, while also maintaining conformational correctness. Skin biopsies have become an essential part of our breeding program. Herdsires are selected based on qualities that should result in continual herd improvement. We want to ensure we breed up not down. We have our herd's fiber tested annually in order to track trends in fiber quality. |
| Tell us about your Favorite Alpaca: | Every alpaca has an unique personality and we love them all. It's hard to pick a favorite because we get enjoyment from every one of them. Just one look at the picture of Lightning Jack and you can see how it's hard not to love them. |
| Tell us about a funny experience: | We recently used our van to transport one of our females from Iowa back to Wisconsin. As soon as we started our trip she cushed between the two front seats. When she wasn't looking out the front window taking in the scenery, she was laying her head on Deana's shoulder. She remained there the entire four hour trip. |
| Tell us one thing anyone interested in buying alpacas should know: | Visit several farms before you make your first purchase. Observe how each farm operates. Find a farm that you are comfortable with and one that is willing to mentor you while also providing follow on support. Try to learn as much as possible regarding fleece quality and conformation before making your first purchase. Buy the highest quality alpacas that your budget will allow. |
| Tell us what you wish you had known before you bought your alpacas: | We wish we would have developed a better understanding of fleece quality before we made our first purchases. We made our inital purchases based on the color and overall look of the alpacas without having a true understanding of fleece characteristics. Although we don't regret our first purchases, we could have made smarter purchases if we spent more time up front learning about fiber quality. |
| Tell us about an upcoming event at your farm: | Since we currently board our alpacas at Kinney Valley Alpacas in Ontario, WI, we try to participate in their farm events. We are anticipating an open house September 26th and 27th 2009 during National Alpaca Farm Tour Days. We are also available to provide personal tours - just give us a call to arrange a visit. We have just completed a very successful spring show season competing in Spring Bling, Minnesota Alpaca Expo, Great Midwest Alpaca Festival and the AOBA World Fleece Show. Our fall show schedule includes the Northern Illinois Alpaca Extravaganza. |
| Tell us the future plans for your farm: | We intend to remain a small farm with a continued focus on breeding for improved fiber quality and conformational correctness. We currently board our alpacas at Kinney Valley Alpacas in Ontario, WI while our home is for sale. Our goal is to move to our own farm where we can provide the same high level of customer service and mentoring that Lloyd, Joyce and Justin Radloff have given us. |
Costalota's Lightning Jack