Alpaca Fibre Testing

Alpaca fibre is valued for its softness, lustre and lightness, but the difference between a premium and ordinary fleece comes down to measurable diameter and uniformity. OFDA by Robotic Vision delivers rapid, objective alpaca fibre testing for breeders, classers and processors, putting hard data behind every selection, grading and selling decision.

Objective Alpaca Fibre Measurement for Breeding and Processing

OFDA instruments have been used across the alpaca industry in Australia and internationally for decades. The OFDA2000 measures greasy and clean alpaca fibre rapidly on farm or at shows, while the OFDA4000 handles automated laboratory work on processed fibre and tops. Both use optical image analysis to generate diameter, distribution and curvature data aligned with recognised measurement principles, giving breeders and processors the same objective platform trusted across the global wool and cashmere industries.

What OFDA Measures on Alpaca Fibre

A single OFDA run captures the attributes that drive alpaca fibre value, breeding merit and processing performance. Every result includes full distribution data, which is critical for alpaca breeders who need to understand uniformity as well as mean fineness.

· Mean fibre diameter, reported in microns

· Full fibre diameter distribution and standard deviation

· Coefficient of variation across the sample

· Fibre curvature, reported in degrees per millimetre

· Comfort factor and coarse fibre percentage

· Sample statistics suitable for breed programme reporting and genetic evaluation

Alpaca Fibre Testing for Breeders and Studs

Genetic improvement in alpaca herds depends on objective measurement, not visual assessment alone. OFDA gives stud breeders the diameter, CV and curvature data needed to identify superior animals, track genetic trends across generations and make selection decisions that drive real progress toward fineness and uniformity targets. Mid-side sampling with OFDA2000 delivers results in seconds, which means breeders can test entire herds during shearing rather than selecting only a handful of animals for external laboratory submission.

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Alpaca Fibre Testing for Classers and Shows

Fleece classing and show assessment benefit from objective fibre data that removes subjectivity from grading decisions. OFDA provides classers with mean diameter, distribution width and comfort factor to support line splitting, grade allocation and show placement. National breed programmes in Australia and internationally use OFDA-derived data to inform judging criteria, register fleece characteristics and benchmark herd performance across the industry.

Alpaca Fibre Testing for Processors and Mills

Processors buying alpaca fibre need confidence that incoming lots meet specification before committing to production. OFDA provides rapid diameter and distribution data that supports lot acceptance, blending decisions and processing alignment. Whether the application is a fine knitwear programme or a blended textile product, OFDA gives mills the objective measurement needed to price fibre accurately and control quality through processing.

Huacaya and Suri Alpaca Fibre Testing

OFDA measures both Huacaya and Suri alpaca fibre types. While Huacaya fibre is crimped and Suri fibre is straight with distinct lustre, both require objective diameter and distribution measurement for breeding, grading and processing. OFDA captures these attributes regardless of fibre architecture, giving breeders and classers comparable data across both types within a single measurement platform.

Who Uses OFDA for Alpaca Fibre Testing

Robotic Vision instruments are used across the alpaca industry in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, North America, South America and Europe. National breed programmes, commercial testing services and individual studs rely on OFDA for objective fibre data.

· Stud breeders measuring entire herds for selection and genetic evaluation

· National breed registries and associations requiring certified fibre data

· Commercial fibre testing laboratories offering alpaca micron services

· Alpaca classers and show judges using objective data for grading

· Processors and mills controlling fibre specification at intake

· Researchers studying alpaca fibre genetics, biology and product development

Why Choose Robotic Vision for Alpaca Fibre Testing

Rapid objective micron, CV and curvature data from a single sample
Full diameter distribution for breeding selection and uniformity assessment
On-farm testing capability with OFDA2000 during shearing or shows
Automated laboratory throughput with OFDA4000 for large sample volumes
Long-lasting calibrations with simple, documented procedures
Direct factory support and a trained agent network in key alpaca regions

Explore OFDA Alpaca Fibre Testing Instruments

Whether you need rapid on-farm alpaca micron testing for breeding selection or high-throughput laboratory alpaca fibre analysis for a commercial testing service, Robotic Vision has a configuration to match. Contact the team to discuss your alpaca testing requirements, or review OFDA2000 and OFDA4000 specifications to plan your next installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

OFDA measures mean fibre diameter, full diameter distribution, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, comfort factor, coarse fibre percentage and fibre curvature on alpaca. All outputs come from a single optical imaging run, which gives breeders, classers and processors a complete objective profile of the fleece rather than a single headline micron number.
OFDA uses the same optical measurement technology validated against IWTO reference methods for wool. Accuracy depends on calibration, sample preparation and correct operation. Commercial alpaca testing services and breed programmes across Australia and internationally use OFDA for certified reporting. With disciplined laboratory practice and documented calibration, OFDA delivers the precision required for breeding selection, grading and commercial specification.
Yes. OFDA measures diameter, distribution and curvature on both Huacaya and Suri fibre types. The optical imaging captures fibre cross-sections regardless of whether the fibre is crimped or straight, so breeders and classers get comparable data across both types from the same instrument and sample preparation workflow.
Yes. OFDA2000 is designed for rapid on-farm fibre testing and can measure greasy alpaca mid-side samples in seconds. This allows breeders to test entire herds during shearing, identify superior animals in real time and make immediate selection decisions without waiting for external laboratory results.
OFDA2000 is a rapid instrument suited to on-farm, in-shed and show environments where breeders and classers need immediate results. OFDA4000 is a fully automated laboratory instrument for high-throughput testing, processing large sample volumes with robotic handling. Many alpaca testing services run both instruments to cover on-farm shearing day testing and laboratory-based commercial submissions.
OFDA provides the objective data that underpins genetic selection in alpaca herds. Mean diameter, CV, comfort factor and curvature allow breeders to rank animals against breeding objectives, track progress across generations and identify animals that consistently produce finer, more uniform fleeces. Full distribution reporting reveals animals with tight, consistent fleeces that a single mean value would not distinguish from less uniform animals.
Yes. National breed programmes and registries in Australia and internationally use OFDA-derived data for fleece recording, genetic evaluation and show assessment. The Australian Alpaca Association and breed programmes in other countries accept OFDA results for registration and reporting. This gives breeders a clear, standards-aligned pathway to certified fibre data that feeds directly into national genetic improvement strategies.
Yes. OFDA measures fibre curvature in the same run as diameter, reported in degrees per millimetre. Curvature relates to crimp character in Huacaya and contributes to handle, bulk and processing behaviour. Reporting both micron and curvature from a single sample gives breeders and processors richer data for selection, grading and product development without additional testing time or cost.
Contact the Robotic Vision team or your local OFDA agent to discuss herd size, testing volumes and whether you need on-farm or laboratory capability. The team can recommend the right combination of OFDA2000 and OFDA4000 for your programme, outline installation and calibration, and support training so operators can generate reliable alpaca fibre testing results from the first shearing day onwards.