7 minute read
Written by Grace Rector
Let me set the scene for you: it’s a crisp morning on the farm, the alpacas are humming their little tunes, the sun is peeking over the hills… and there I am, rolling out with my most loyal companion — the Poo Vacuum.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “A poo vacuum? That’s your best friend?” And to that I say: absolutely. This magnificent machine is the unsung hero of our alpaca operation. Week in and week out, it helps us keep the pastures clean, our animals healthy, and—believe it or not—our gardens thriving.
Here on the farm, alpaca poop isn’t just waste—it’s treasure. It’s packed with nutrients, low in odor, and doesn’t even need composting before it heads straight into the garden. Thanks to our trusty vacuum, we’ve turned weekly cleanup into one of the most productive (and oddly satisfying) parts of our routine.
So buckle in, friends, because I’m about to introduce you to the unscoopable, unstoppable star of our soil success story — and share all the surprising ways alpaca poop is making the world (or at least our farm) a greener, cleaner place.
Meet the Star: The Poo Vacuum
Before we got the vacuum, picking up after the herd was a time-consuming chore that involved rakes, buckets, and a lot of patience. With a herd of alpacas happily dropping beans like confetti all over the pasture, we needed a better solution. That’s when the Poo Vacuum rolled onto the scene like a knight in shining armor — or, more accurately, a tow-behind vacuum with serious suction power. We use a pasture vacuum that we got from Greystone USA.
Our vacuum attaches to our ATV and is designed specifically for collecting manure. It pulls up the alpaca droppings quickly and cleanly, funneling everything into a collection bin for easy transport. What used to take hours now takes a fraction of the time — and the pastures stay tidier, which is better for both the animals and the land.
Not only does it make daily clean-up infinitely faster, but it also helps us collect poop in pristine condition — which is exactly what we want. Because here on our farm, we don’t see poop as waste. We see it as an opportunity.
What’s So Special About Alpaca Poop?
Now, not all poop is created equal — and alpacas are overachievers even in this department.
Alpaca manure stands out from other types of livestock waste for a few reasons. It’s low in odor, comes in neat little pellets, and doesn’t need to be composted before you use it. It’s gentle enough not to burn plants but still effective enough to feed them well. It also helps improve soil structure and water retention.
Fun fact, in some places around the world, alpaca poop is referred to as coffee beans for its resemblance to the beans that fuel many of our lives.
Nutritionally, it has a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — everything your plants need to thrive. Nitrogen helps to promote leafy growth, phosphorus helps strengthen roots and create more vibrant blooms, and potassium is great for overall plant vigor.
It’s nature’s fertilizer — clean, potent, and eco-friendly. We use it in our vegetable garden, flower beds, and anywhere we want to give the soil a little extra love. You’ll be amazed at how quickly things perk up after a little sprinkle of alpaca magic.
Where the Poop Goes
Once the vacuum bin is full, we have a few regular spots where the manure gets put to use. One of the main places is our garden. We spread it directly into the soil around our vegetables and perennials, depending on the season and the layout.
Another key use is erosion control. On parts of the property where the soil has been compacted or plant growth is struggling, we’ll apply the manure to help improve conditions. The nutrients help support grasses and native ground cover, which in turn helps stabilize the soil.
Because it’s safe to use right away, there’s no waiting period. That makes it easy to integrate into our farm management, and we’re always finding new ways to work it into the landscape.
A Little Extra: Manure Tea
If you want to stretch your alpaca manure even further, making a simple “poop tea” is a great option. Now, this is not the kind of tea you want to drink– it’s essentially a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. It’s simple to make: we usually take a few shovelfuls of manure, place them in a large bucket or mesh bag, and let it steep in water for a day or two.
The result is a mild, natural fertilizer that we use to water plants during the growing season. It’s especially helpful for container gardens or younger plants that benefit from a lighter feeding. We usually strain out the solids and pour the tea at the base of plants, just like regular water.
It’s an easy way to stretch the benefits of the manure even further, and we’ve noticed healthier growth and stronger roots in the areas where we use it regularly.
Thank Goodness for the Poo Vac!
Using the poo vacuum may not be the most exciting part of life on an alpaca farm, but it’s one of the most valuable tools we have. It keeps our pastures clean, makes use of a natural resource, and helps us support the health of our land in a sustainable way. From the garden to erosion-prone areas — and even as a nutrient-rich tea — alpaca manure plays a bigger role in our farm’s success than you might expect.
Whether you’re working with livestock or just looking for natural ways to improve your soil, don’t underestimate the power of a well-managed manure system. Sometimes the best solutions come from the ground up.
Got questions about alpaca care or curious about natural fertilizers? Drop us a message!
