Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Local alpaca guide · Midwest

Raising Alpacas in Missouri

Missouri has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa): summer highs average 88°F in July and winter lows average 21°F in January, with about 43 inches of precipitation a year. The main challenges for alpaca keepers here are summer heat, barber pole worm and meningeal worm.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team

Statewide snapshot

65/100Alpaca climate comfort score (state average)
88°FAverage high, Jul (state average)
21°FAverage low, Jan (state average)
~28Days above 90°F (32°C) per year (state average)
~104Frost nights per year (state average)
43 inAnnual precipitation (state average)
7Barber pole worm months (state average)
14Hay bales / alpaca / year (state average)
Average highAverage lowPrecipitation
20°0.038°1.555°3.172°4.690°6.2Jan: 2.1 inJanFeb: 2.2 inFebMar: 3.3 inMarApr: 4.6 inAprMay: 5.4 inMayJun: 4.6 inJunJul: 4.3 inJulAug: 3.8 inAugSep: 3.9 inSepOct: 3.4 inOctNov: 3.2 inNovDec: 2.4 inDecJan high: 40°FFeb high: 45°FMar high: 56°FApr high: 67°FMay high: 76°FJun high: 84°FJul high: 88°FAug high: 87°FSep high: 80°FOct high: 68°FNov high: 55°FDec high: 44°FJan low: 21°FFeb low: 25°FMar low: 34°FApr low: 44°FMay low: 54°FJun low: 63°FJul low: 67°FAug low: 65°FSep low: 57°FOct low: 45°FNov low: 34°FDec low: 26°F°Fin

Average of 115 county normals (NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020). Conditions vary a lot within the state — open your county below.

Statewide challenges

  • Summer heat — heat-stress precautions needed in May–Aug
  • Barber pole worm — long warm-wet parasite season (Apr–Oct)
  • Meningeal worm — white-tailed deer parasite is established in this region

Most alpaca-friendly counties

  1. Putnam County — 73/100
  2. Adair County — 71/100
  3. Andrew County — 71/100
  4. Atchison County — 71/100
  5. Clark County — 71/100

Most challenging counties

  1. Barry County — 65/100
  2. Barton County — 65/100
  3. Bates County — 65/100
  4. Benton County — 65/100
  5. Bollinger County — 65/100

All 115 counties

Click a column to sort. Temperatures in °F; “worm months” follow Gordon's bioclimatograph for barber pole worm.

CountyPeak highLowest lowDays ≥90°FFrost nightsWorm monthsShearHay balesScore
Adair County8616181256Apr1471
Andrew County8717221216Apr1471
Atchison County8716201296Apr1471
Audrain County8720221117Apr1469
Barry County892531867Apr1265
Barton County902437877Apr1265
Bates County892234987Apr1265
Benton County8922301037Apr1265
Bollinger County892434907Apr1265
Boone County8821251057Apr1465
Buchanan County8818261167Apr1469
Butler County902643757Apr1265
Caldwell County8818231197Apr1469
Callaway County8821271057Apr1465
Camden County892332977Apr1265
Cape Girardeau County892536857Apr1265
Carroll County8819251127Apr1469
Carter County892436937Apr1265
Cass County8821281047Apr1365
Cedar County902335917Apr1265
Chariton County8819251127Apr1469
Christian County882429967Apr1265
Clark County8617181226Apr1471
Clay County8820261107Apr1469
Clinton County8718231187Apr1469
Cole County882230977Apr1265
Cooper County8821271047Apr1465
Crawford County8821291117Apr1365
Dade County902435917Apr1265
Dallas County8822291017Apr1265
Daviess County8717221236Apr1471
DeKalb County8717221226Apr1471
Dent County8822261057Apr1265
Douglas County882429957Apr1265
Dunklin County902946587Mar1265
Franklin County8921301067Apr1365
Gasconade County8821291067Apr1465
Gentry County8716201266Apr1471
Greene County882330987Apr1265
Grundy County8717211236Apr1471
Harrison County8616181286Apr1471
Henry County8922321007Apr1265
Hickory County892231997Apr1265
Holt County8717231237Apr1469
Howard County8820251077Apr1465
Howell County892431937Apr1265
Iron County8822251087Apr1365
Jackson County8820261067Apr1469
Jasper County902539857Apr1265
Jefferson County892332967Apr1265
Johnson County8821291057Apr1365
Knox County8617191246Apr1471
Laclede County882327977Apr1265
Lafayette County8820271087Apr1469
Lawrence County892432917Apr1265
Lewis County8618191186Apr1471
Lincoln County8820261077Apr1465
Linn County8718211186Apr1471
Livingston County8818241177Apr1469
Macon County8718201196Apr1471
Madison County8823281027Apr1265
Maries County882230987Apr1265
Marion County8718201157Apr1469
McDonald County902539827Apr1265
Mercer County8616161296Apr1471
Miller County892331957Apr1265
Mississippi County892739697Mar1265
Moniteau County8822271007Apr1365
Monroe County8719211147Apr1469
Montgomery County8820251097Apr1465
Morgan County8822281037Apr1265
New Madrid County902842637Mar1265
Newton County902537847Apr1265
Nodaway County8616181296Apr1471
Oregon County892437907Apr1265
Osage County8922301007Apr1265
Ozark County892535897Apr1265
Pemiscot County903045557Mar1265
Perry County882431937Apr1265
Pettis County8821271057Apr1465
Phelps County8922301007Apr1265
Pike County8720221107Apr1469
Platte County8820281107Apr1465
Polk County892333987Apr1265
Pulaski County892331967Apr1265
Putnam County8615151295Apr1473
Ralls County8719211127Apr1469
Randolph County8719221137Apr1469
Ray County8819241137Apr1469
Reynolds County8822301057Apr1265
Ripley County902639827Apr1265
Saline County8820261077Apr1465
Schuyler County8616161286Apr1471
Scotland County8616171276Apr1471
Scott County902740747Apr1265
Shannon County892332997Apr1265
Shelby County8718191196Apr1471
St. Charles County882229997Apr1265
St. Clair County892334967Apr1265
St. Francois County8822261047Apr1365
St. Louis County882330937Apr1265
St. Louis city882331897Apr1265
Ste. Genevieve County882329967Apr1265
Stoddard County902742727Mar1265
Stone County892534897Apr1265
Sullivan County8616171256Apr1471
Taney County892536887Apr1265
Texas County882326987Apr1265
Vernon County902336917Apr1265
Warren County8821271067Apr1465
Washington County8821281077Apr1365
Wayne County892436927Apr1265
Webster County8722241017Apr1269
Worth County8615161316Apr1468
Wright County882324987Apr1265

Typical alpaca care calendar for Missouri

Based on statewide averages — your county page has a calendar tuned to local conditions.

January 40° / 21°F

FrostVitamin D
  • Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
  • Toenail check and trim.

February 45° / 25°F

FrostVitamin D
  • Book your shearer now — spring calendars fill up fast.
  • Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).

March 56° / 34°F

  • Run pre-season fecal egg counts so you know each animal's baseline.
  • CDT boosters for females due next month; prepare a clean birthing paddock and birthing kit.
  • Toenail check and trim.

April 67° / 44°F

ShearingWorm seasonMeningeal wormCria season
  • Shearing month: shear the whole herd, and trim toenails, check teeth and body condition while animals are restrained.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Cria season: check due dates daily, ensure crias nurse within 4 hours, dip navels and weigh crias daily for two weeks.
  • Spring grass: switch from hay to pasture gradually over 1–2 weeks and monitor body condition.

May 76° / 54°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal wormBreeding
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Breeding window for next year's crias (rebreed females 2–4 weeks after birthing).
  • Toenail check and trim.

June 84° / 63°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.

July 88° / 67°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Toenail check and trim.

August 87° / 65°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.

September 80° / 57°F

Worm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Warm spells possible — watch for open-mouth breathing in heavy-fleeced or dark animals.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Toenail check and trim.

October 68° / 45°F

Worm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Secure winter hay: about 14 small square bales per alpaca per year here — test a sample before buying.

November 55° / 34°F

Vitamin D
  • Winter prep: install water heaters, repair shelters and windbreaks, stock bedding.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
  • Toenail check and trim.

December 44° / 26°F

FrostVitamin D
  • Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).

Key recommendations for Missouri

  • Shearing: April.
  • Best months for crias to be born: Apr (breed in May).
  • Heat precautions: May–Aug.
  • Barber pole worm season: Apr–Oct — run fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks in these months.
  • Freezing nights: Dec–Feb — keep water from freezing.
  • Vitamin D for crias: Nov–Feb.
  • Grazing season: Apr–Oct (about 7 months); feed hay the rest of the year.
  • Meningeal worm: Meningeal worm (carried by white-tailed deer) is established in this region and is a leading cause of neurological disease in alpacas. Talk to your vet about a prevention plan for the snail season.
  • Selenium: Selenium levels vary across the state. Test hay or blood before changing supplements.

Alpaca farms & shops in Missouri

No alpaca farms in Missouri are mapped on OpenStreetMap yet.

Frequently asked questions

Can you raise alpacas in Missouri?
Yes. Alpacas are kept successfully in most climates with good management. Missouri scores 65/100 (good) on our alpaca climate comfort scale; the key issues are summer heat, barber pole worm and meningeal worm.
Which part of Missouri is best for alpacas?
By our climate comfort score, the most alpaca-friendly counties are Putnam County, Adair County and Andrew County; the most challenging are Barry County, Barton County and Bates County.
When should alpacas be shorn in Missouri?
Plan shearing for April, once nights stay above about 38°F (3°C) but before summer heat builds.
What is the best time for crias to be born in Missouri?
Mild months suit newborn crias best — here that is Apr. For births then, breed females in May (gestation is about 335 days).
How much hay does an alpaca need per year in Missouri?
With roughly 5 months of little or no grazing, plan on about 699 lb (317 kg) — around 14 small square bales — per adult alpaca per year, plus waste.
How hot does it get for alpacas in Missouri?
Heat-stress precautions are needed in May–Aug. We estimate about 28 days a year above 90°F (32°C).

Neighboring states

ArkansasIowaKentuckyNebraskaColoradoIndiana

See how these guides are calculated.