Because of their sustainable qualities, alpaca herds are growing in size. Some ranchers and farmers who have been in farming for generations are adding alpaca herds to their operations. With the increasing demand for alpaca's superior wool (softness, sustainability, durability), ranchers and farmers found a new path to save their farms. For some, it adds security to their retirement income while others appreciate that alpacas are very gentle to the land. They don't have hooves - they have soft padded feet. Alpacas are making a difference in the lives of small farmers.