How to Harvest Alpaca Beans
Alpacas, llamas and goats all eliminate waste in the form of pellets. Unlike cow manure, these pellets are dry and can be used in the garden with little or no composting. Because of this, these "beans" or "berries" have become popular as part of organic gardening and composting programs. Harvesting this flexible fertilizer couldn't be easier, especially since alpacas and llamas tend to eliminate in community dung piles. The dry consistency of alpaca beans makes them easy to collect. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate community dung piles where your alpacas gather to eliminate. There may be several in a multipasture rotation system or just one in a central location. Watch the alpacas if you are unsure where the dung piles are; they will lead you to them.
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Use the shovel to collect the dried manure if there is more than an inch on the ground. Use the hand trowel or a gloved hand if it's just a few handfuls. Alpaca beans are dry, so handpicking is not messy. Place the beans in the wheelbarrow as you collect them from each dung pile.
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Push your wheelbarrow to a garden location or to your compost heap. Alpaca beans are great for digging into beds that aren't yet planted, but also do a fair job as a manure tea. Combine alpaca beans and spent bedding into a heap if you prefer compost.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear gloves when handling animal manure, as some diseases and parasites may affect humans.
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