Yumedono is a Japanese word that means "dreaming place." So the fact that there's a bit of a cultural naming theme going on at Yumedono, with all of the animals named after Japanese words, such as Inazuma, Kizoku, Kentaro, Natsuko, and Yojinbo, shouldn't addle anybody.
"Alpacas are a ranchers' dream because they only need modest amounts of food and are generally easy to maintain..."
The Tenolds married in 2000 and moved to the Bitterroot Valley in March 2006. While the alpacas at the ranch are essentially Cheryl's commodities, they've both been involved in the alpaca business since 2001, when they purchased their first maiden female, named Antoinette, from Rolling Thunder Farms in Canada. Since that time, they have sold Antoinette and her son Tipo, and have acquired four more females who have since given birth to another eleven animals. Today, fifteen animals are living at the ranch: nine females and six males.
Cheryl's straightforward plan to start alpaca ranching has been implemented simply and successfully. She spent a few months building the infrastructure for the animals, including barns, sheds, and fencing, and then brought the first alpacas down from up north. Indeed, Cheryl asserts that these fluffy and inquisitive animals are worth every bit of the abundant attention that she's been giving to them.
"Alpacas are very environmentally friendly, which makes me like them more because I'm a bit of a tree-hugger myself. They're sustainable, and they don't tear up the earth like other and much bigger livestock. Plus, you don't have to kill them for their product, which is an absolutely wonderful fiber," says Cheryl.
Prior to purchasing her first alpaca, Cheryl attended every alpaca-related seminar and educational forum that she could, including taking a class a few years ago in Canada about fiber sorting and classing. Indeed, she's spent enough time around alpacas to clearly apprehend their character, nature, and subtleties.
"Alpacas come to you for affection on their own terms and are very aware of themselves. They definitely each have their own personality: Boys chest-butt and wrestle and girls spit at one another during conflicts over grain," says Cheryl.
What makes alpacas most exceptional is the beautiful fiber that's derived from these mild-mannered, gregarious animals. The wool can be clipped from the animal without causing it injury. The fibers of an alpaca — which has an average individual lifespan of around 15 years — are as soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, and come in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (an alpaca has approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends). This fleece is sheared once a year, yielding roughly five to ten pounds of fiber, sometimes more or less, all depending on the size and density of the alpaca.
"It's lightweight, hypoallergenic, and water-resistant. It's long-lasting and creates heirloom-type products. Their fibers last for years and years. It's a nice, breathable, warm and natural fiber," says Cheryl.
Additionally, alpacas, says Cheryl, can be managed and maintained by a female rancher much easier than a number of other more bad-tempered and snappish livestock can be, making them the perfect fit for a woman's ways.
"Women can do this by themselves. I do all the main care. I do need help with giving shots or trimming toenails or doing something that needs special care. Alpacas don't require a restraining shoot, something you need with bigger livestock. This is something that I can do and that only requires my husband's help a portion of the time, so he can still devote himself to his business," says Cheryl.
Ted takes pleasure in the animals, too. He doesn't mind chipping in his time and carrying out daily ranch chores or offering a helping hand when it's needed. "My wife is an alpaca rancher and that pretty much makes me an alpaca rancher," laughs Ted.
"He loves having them here. We spend so much time standing at the windows and just watching them," says Cheryl.
Alpacas are a ranchers' dream because they only need modest amounts of food and are generally easy to maintain. Plus, alpacas don't actually spit all the time, which is the single greatest misconception about them. "They'll get into little spit fests over food, but that's usually about it. It's not so bad," says Cheryl.
There are seven alpaca ranchers in Ravalli County that the Tenolds know about, and it seems as if all these folks have gotten together to form their own self-supportive industry.
"If you're having a problem you can call a fellow alpaca rancher and they'll help you out and share their education."
Cheryl says that the Bitterroot Valley's moderate climate is conducive to raising healthy alpacas. Alpacas, indigenous to South America and its generally balanced weather patterns, don't deal well with the heat or cold stresses brought about by extreme temperature changes. They are most content with a little bit of pastureland and all four seasons.
"The area here supplies a weather that makes it cold enough that the fiber has enough reason to grow, and is not so hot that you have to hose them down to keep them cool. It's perfect."
Cheryl says that while the Yumedono Ranch is still a proverbial work in progress, visitors are always welcome, and a simple call in advance will give her and her husband the time to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate them.
"We want more folks to come and meet the alpacas and to learn about the sustainable livestock business of alpaca ranching. Hopefully, things here will continue to grow and change and I'll continue to learn more about alpacas."
For more information about Yumedono Alpacas, you may contact Cheryl Tenold at 777-3822. www.yumedono.com. The Yumedono Ranch recently held an open house and a $100 gift certificate was won by Gerri Mason of Stevensville. In the future, Yumedono Alpacas would like to participate in an alpaca 4H project and act as host farm, providing animals for kids to work with. Please contact Cheryl if your school is interested in participating in such a project.
