To help create textile market access to the finest fiber that America alpaca growers are producing, and further the interests of those at all stages in the alpaca product production chain, the Alpaca Coalition of America (ACOA) announces its first Super Premium American bale collection.

In an effort modeled after the well-regarded Australian Alpaca Association's Ultrafine Bale Scheme, ACOA will collect and market two premium bales of white fiber, each of a quality and consistency that will allow textile designers and processors to produce couture-quality products that showcase the high quality of the fiber American alpaca growers are producing. Growers interested in having their fleeces included in the bales will submit a mid-side histogram for each fleece they wish to have considered. Those fleeces meeting the initial criteria will be further tested with grid histograms and fiber strength tests, the cost of which will be paid for by ACOA. Growers will receive the results of those tests to help inform their ongoing fleece production efforts, and in addition to receiving a pro rata share of the sale results, those growers who have fleeces included in the bales will be able to market their farms as contributors, leveraging the value of participation.

As it assembles the bales, ACOA will conduct a parallel marketing operation aimed at identifying interested bale purchasers and aligning marketing and publicity efforts to bring maximum value to both the purchasers of the bales and the U.S. alpaca industry.