Software
AlpacaEASE -- AlpacaEASE offers four modules (calendar, herd management, contacts, and financial) in one application. Most operations are through the herd management module, whether you are adding and including information for an alpaca, recording medical, breeding, or show data. A user guide, in Acrobat format (.pdf) is available from the web site, as is a 30-day trial version. Also available as 'HerdEase' for managing other animals.
Ark -- Ark, or Animal Record Keeping software, consists of standard and professional versions. The standard version includes five modules (Calendar and Scheduling, Contacts and Vendors, Data Management, Data Management Utilities, and User Preferences). The professional version adds four additional modules (Pedigree and Progeny Workshop, Gestation Planning, ark Xtra, and ark Forms Designer). The Data Management and Gestation Planning modules are the main elements. You need to contact the company for a demo disk.
Breeders Toolkit -- Breeders Toolkit is a Windows based herd management application available from Berrima International Pty Ltd, Australia . The single page web site contains links to the application's main window, with the buttons found there linked to appropriate sections. From the main window, you have alpaca details, certified males (Huacaya and Suri separate), show results, color (dam or sire), progeny (dam or sire), My Herd, Check Licenses Status, Mating Family Tree, Alpaca Family Tree, and Search Member Details. An e-mail address from the main web site page is available apparently for additional details.
HerdMaster -- HerdMaster focuses on the British registry organization, yet is designed to include other (USA and Australian) organizations. Software setup (vendors, owners, farm tasks, reports, etc) is through the Program Manager section. The Add or Change Data section accepts data about your alpacas and breedings. Actions use wizzards (a series of dialog boxes on which you make selections or add data). A 90-day trial version is available. You subscribe to HerdMaster through a monthly fee rather than purchase the software.
Herd-Logic -- Herd-Logic (formerly LamaLogic) offers modules for alpacas, lamas, and other livestock. The application records information in Animal Care (Medical Health; Weight, height, body score; and, Breeding topics), Herd Management (Managing Your Herd and Herd Information Manager HIM topics), and Fleece - Fiber categories. A demo CD is available from the Canadian developer.
Optimate AlpaFarm -- AlpaFarm is an alpaca specific application from Australia. The application consists of five modules (Breeding Cycle, Alpacas, Paddocks, Finances, and References), with those modules associated with the four editions of the software (trialware, wether, breeder, and enterprise). A download trialware version of AlpaFarm is available (approximately 6 MBytes), with one version specific to Australia and New Zealand, and a different version identified as specific to the USA.
Paca + -- Paca + opens with a window of buttons, with each button a different module within the application. The application consists of six modules (Animals, Ranches, Shows, Breedings, Group Functions, and Reports). The bottom half of the application window consists of ten setup utility buttons. From the web site you can download a demo of the application, a Lotus ScreenCam presentation that displays the application's features.
Ranch Manager -- The Ranch Manager application by Lion Edge Technology has specialty versions for various livestock operations. The site offers both Canadian and USA entry options (see the country flags), with specific software designed for operation in the two different countries. While originally designed for cattle operations, the software has progressed into other livestock. Check with the company for special information and sample software.
StocKeeper -- StocKeeper is a 'high end' livestock application designed for farming and ranching. The application, when first opened, offers a list of livestock from which to select. That list includes lamas. StocKeeper offers a companion application for the Palm OS PDA with much of your data than available on a PDA. A download demo version is available (at approximately 41 MBytes) or a CD demo is available, with the demo as freeware that works with up to 100 animals, with limitations.
AlpacaTracka -- AlpacaTracka is a web based version of the standard herd management software. The standard information recording categories are present (general records, breeding history, lineage, medical, fiber, shearing, locations, shows, guests, dams, sires, cria, and pets) in a web based application. As a web based application, AlpacaTracka offers web site hosting, e-mail, and on-line advertising. You can reach your alpaca herd information on-line from any computer with Internet access.
Business Planning and Accounting
Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota -- Offers instruction and software (business plan, financial management, marketing, and more) for farm operations.
Flagship Technologies -- Offers "The QuickBooks Farm Accounting Cookbook" and ManagePLUS (a QuickBooks add-on) plus discussion forums and papers describing how to use QuickBooks for farming operations.
Genetics
Breeders
Assistant (with Genetic Option)
-- Breeders
Assistant is described by the United Kingdom developer as a
pedigree and record keeping software designed for breeders of many different
animals (cats, dogs, horses, rare sheep, etc.). The developer recommends the
generic version for a trial download. offering inbreeding analysis and
common ancestors, mating predictions (what ifs) and certificates,
designing and printing special contracts (sale, agisting, etc.), reverse
pedigrees (printing descendents), watermarks (contracts or certificates
printed over your ranch logo), and genetics (genotypes, polygenic
inheritance modeling, gene inheritance probabilities, covariance analysis,
gene frequency analysis, and more) to list only a few features.
On-Line 'Extras'
Rebreeding Chart -- A chart that shows rebreeding 17 to 19 days after birth of a cria, utilizing a 12 day cycle. Select "A chart to determine when to rebreed an alpaca is here" found at All American Alpacas web site.
Cria Due date calculator -- Calculates the due date of a cria using a 350 day gestation cycle from a breeding date. Found at All American Alpacas web site.
Alpaca Color Breeding Calculator -- From sire and dam drop-down lists, select their primary color. The resulting percentages are probabilities based on the Australian color tables of over 10,000 breedings found in "Alpacas: Synthesis of a Miracle". This calculator is found at the Northwest Alpacas web site.
Alpaca Herd Growth Calculator -- Helps you calculate the probable growth of your alpaca herd, based upon the number of breeding age females, age at first breeding, rebreeding period, percentage of female and male cria, and percentage of live births. This calculator is found at the Northwest Alpacas web site.
Advanced Genetic Wizard -- According to the web site, " Advanced Genetics Wizard is a free, online program that calculates the genetic makeup of offspring from dominant, codominant, and recessive gene crosses can be calculated together." You can calculate up to six genetic traits at once. Advanced Genetics Wizard provides answers as statistical probabilities based upon a large number of offspring.