There are two major health advantages to shearing early:

• Protection from sunburn - Our alpacas, especially those with lighter skin, really need a good layer of fiber to protect them from the ever-present Colorado summer sun.
• Reduce risk of disease - The extra weeks of fiber growth makes it that much more difficult for invasive insects, such as flies and mosquitos, to reach the skin. Early shearing can reduce the chance of your higher-risk alpacas being infected by the West Nile virus!