Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Local alpaca guide · Midwest

Raising Alpacas in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb): summer highs average 81°F in July and winter lows average 8°F in January, with about 34 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

68/100Alpaca climate comfort score (state average)
81°FAverage high, Jul (state average)
8°FAverage low, Jan (state average)
~3Days above 90°F (32°C) per year (state average)
~166Frost nights per year (state average)
34 inAnnual precipitation (state average)
5Barber pole worm months (state average)
16Hay bales / alpaca / year (state average)
Average highAverage lowPrecipitation
0°0.022°1.445°2.768°4.190°5.4Jan: 1.2 inJanFeb: 1.2 inFebMar: 1.9 inMarApr: 3.3 inAprMay: 4.0 inMayJun: 4.7 inJunJul: 4.0 inJulAug: 3.9 inAugSep: 3.5 inSepOct: 3.0 inOctNov: 2.0 inNovDec: 1.6 inDecJan high: 24°FFeb high: 29°FMar high: 41°FApr high: 55°FMay high: 67°FJun high: 77°FJul high: 81°FAug high: 78°FSep high: 71°FOct high: 58°FNov high: 42°FDec high: 30°FJan low: 8°FFeb low: 10°FMar low: 21°FApr low: 32°FMay low: 44°FJun low: 54°FJul low: 59°FAug low: 57°FSep low: 49°FOct low: 37°FNov low: 26°FDec low: 14°F°Fin

Average of 72 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 Jul–Aug
  • Barber pole worm — long warm-wet parasite season (May–Sep)
  • Meningeal worm — white-tailed deer parasite is established in this region
  • Hard winters — average lows under 15 °F in Dec–Feb
  • Low selenium — regional soils and hay tend to be selenium-deficient

Most alpaca-friendly counties

  1. Kenosha County — 74/100
  2. Milwaukee County — 74/100
  3. Ozaukee County — 74/100
  4. Racine County — 74/100
  5. Waukesha County — 74/100

Most challenging counties

  1. Adams County — 64/100
  2. Buffalo County — 64/100
  3. Juneau County — 64/100
  4. Pepin County — 64/100
  5. Trempealeau County — 64/100

All 72 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
Adams County82851665May1664
Ashland County78311875May1768
Barron County80331765May1668
Bayfield County78311865May1768
Brown County801121585May1671
Buffalo County82751605May1464
Burnett County81231775May1668
Calumet County811031585May1671
Chippewa County80431725May1668
Clark County80521735May1668
Columbia County821051575May1467
Crawford County821051525May1467
Dane County821161535May1467
Dodge County821041565May1471
Door County781211584May1673
Douglas County79211845May1768
Dunn County82541685May1668
Eau Claire County81541685May1668
Florence County79311925May1765
Fond du Lac County811041585May1671
Forest County78311925May1765
Grant County821061505May1467
Green County831271495May1470
Green Lake County82951595May1471
Iowa County821051555May1467
Iron County77311914May1767
Jackson County81641665May1668
Jefferson County821261505May1470
Juneau County82751665May1664
Kenosha County821551415May1474
Kewaunee County791121594May1673
La Crosse County82851575May1467
Lafayette County821161515May1467
Langlade County78411855May1768
Lincoln County79411825May1768
Manitowoc County801221565May1671
Marathon County80521755May1668
Marinette County80731795May1668
Marquette County82951615May1467
Menominee County80621765May1668
Milwaukee County811541425May1474
Monroe County81741665May1668
Oconto County80821725May1668
Oneida County78311885May1765
Outagamie County81941615May1671
Ozaukee County811331495May1674
Pepin County82651625May1464
Pierce County81641635May1668
Polk County81431715May1668
Portage County81731695May1668
Price County78311865May1768
Racine County821451445May1474
Richland County82951585May1467
Rock County831271475May1470
Rusk County79321795May1668
Sauk County82951595May1467
Sawyer County78211865May1768
Shawano County80731715May1668
Sheboygan County801231545May1671
St. Croix County81541665May1668
Taylor County79311805May1768
Trempealeau County82751625May1464
Vernon County81841595May1471
Vilas County77211945May1769
Walworth County831361485May1470
Washburn County80221815May1768
Washington County811141575May1671
Waukesha County821251515May1474
Waupaca County81841665May1668
Waushara County82841645May1671
Winnebago County821041585May1671
Wood County81641705May1668

Typical alpaca care calendar for Wisconsin

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

January 24° / 8°F

Hard coldVitamin D
  • Hard cold: extra hay at night, heated water, windbreaks and coats for crias or seniors; check ears for frostbite.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
  • Toenail check and trim.

February 29° / 10°F

Hard coldVitamin D
  • Hard cold: extra hay at night, heated water, windbreaks and coats for crias or seniors; check ears for frostbite.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).

March 41° / 21°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).
  • Toenail check and trim.

April 55° / 32°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.

May 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.
  • Toenail check and trim.

June 77° / 54°F

Worm seasonMeningeal wormCria seasonBreeding
  • 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.
  • Cria season: check due dates daily, ensure crias nurse within 4 hours, dip navels and weigh crias daily for two weeks.
  • Breeding window for next year's crias (rebreed females 2–4 weeks after birthing).

July 81° / 59°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.

August 78° / 57°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 71° / 49°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.
  • Toenail check and trim.

October 58° / 37°F

Meningeal wormVitamin D
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Secure winter hay: about 16 small square bales per alpaca per year here — test a sample before buying.
  • Winter prep: install water heaters, repair shelters and windbreaks, stock bedding.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).

November 42° / 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).
  • Toenail check and trim.

December 30° / 14°F

Hard coldVitamin D
  • Hard cold: extra hay at night, heated water, windbreaks and coats for crias or seniors; check ears for frostbite.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).

Key recommendations for Wisconsin

  • Shearing: May.
  • Best months for crias to be born: May–Jun (breed in Jun–Jul).
  • Heat precautions: Jul–Aug.
  • Barber pole worm season: May–Sep — run fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks in these months.
  • Freezing nights: Nov–Mar — keep water from freezing.
  • Vitamin D for crias: Oct–Mar.
  • Grazing season: May–Oct (about 6 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: Soils and hay in this state are often selenium-deficient. Use a camelid mineral formulated for low-selenium areas and blood-test a few animals each year.

Alpaca farms & shops in Wisconsin

Alpaca to Apparel
Alpaca to ApparelWebsite
Suri Fina Alpaca Farm Store
WashburnWebsite
Alpaca Art

From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). Listing is not an endorsement.

Frequently asked questions

Can you raise alpacas in Wisconsin?
Yes. Alpacas are kept successfully in most climates with good management. Wisconsin scores 68/100 (good) on our alpaca climate comfort scale; the key issues are summer heat, barber pole worm and meningeal worm.
Which part of Wisconsin is best for alpacas?
By our climate comfort score, the most alpaca-friendly counties are Kenosha County, Milwaukee County and Ozaukee County; the most challenging are Adams County, Buffalo County and Juneau County.
When should alpacas be shorn in Wisconsin?
Plan shearing for May, 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 Wisconsin?
Mild months suit newborn crias best — here that is May–Jun. For births then, breed females in Jun–Jul (gestation is about 335 days).
How much hay does an alpaca need per year in Wisconsin?
With roughly 6 months of little or no grazing, plan on about 766 lb (347 kg) — around 16 small square bales — per adult alpaca per year, plus waste.
How hot does it get for alpacas in Wisconsin?
Heat-stress precautions are needed in Jul–Aug. We estimate about 3 days a year above 90°F (32°C).

Neighboring states

MichiganIllinoisOhioIndianaMinnesotaNew York

See how these guides are calculated.