About M.T. EELite Alpacas

Our Ranch, MT EElite Alpacas, began as an idea in 1996, but became a reality in August, 2004. Nestled on a scenic ridge overlooking Sacramento, California, we (Mark and Tracy Ervin) together with our two sons are raising an elite herd of Huacaya alpacas in a variety of color.

It all began as a neighborly visit. One day Tracy decided to stop and see the neighbor’s interesting looking llamas and alpacas. After several hours of talking about the animals and getting up close to them, she left excited and wanting to learn more about alpacas.

With a fresh eye we looked at our ranch and ourselves and realized that we had the raw ingredients for one heck of an alpaca ranch. As existing business owners of two construction businesses we already were familiar with all of the various aspects of running a business. We were no strangers to larger animals such as cows and horses, we even had some veterinary experience. And we soon realized that our13 acres of rolling, sloping green pastures was an ideal place for growing our own herd. So with our alpaca dream firmly in our sites, we rolled up our sleeves and started doing the research necessary to begin.

It took eight years of research, farm visits, and alpaca shows before we finally started the preparations for making our ranch a place for alpacas. Finally after much family discussion, in 2003 we purchased 11 females, (9 of which were bred) thus beginning our alpaca ranch. Because we spent so much time getting to know everything we could about alpacas and the industry before we made our first purchase we were able to focus on particular breeding goals from day one. Our breeding program is focused on producing elite animals with exceptional fiber and conformation while maintaining a medium-small sized alpaca. We have animals in a wide variety of colors – blacks, whites, fancies, fawns, browns, greys, etc.– just about any color you may be looking for. In each color category we are breeding for the finest fiber characteristics, while improving upon each generation. We select herdsires for our breeding program based upon proven outstanding genetics and ancestry. By breeding to these superb quality males, we expect each generation to be even better than the last.

We are very hands-on with our alpacas. We work our land ourselves, and are in and among our alpacas daily so that we know each of them, their personalities and quirks. We’ve more than doubled our herd since we started and have learned a lot about alpacas along the way. From day to day operations to breeding decisions and new cria care, we have grown to greatly appreciate our country way of life, and the ability to raise alpacas and our family together.

What makes us unique is our strong and lasting commitment to the new buyer and continued client care. As the other ranches provided for us when we were starting out, we feel it is crucial to the new alpaca rancher to get as much support as possible. This means that we will support you not only in the early research and hands-on phase – but also through the first few years of working with your own animals and beyond. We can help you with just about any phase of your alpaca journey –from offering helpful research materials to hands on experience with the animals; or from making breeding decisions to being the reassuring voice beside you (or on the phone) during a cria birth. We will be here to support you in any way that we can.

Call or come visit us! We would love to talk with you and show you our alpacas.