Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 2.17
Angora (Fiber Goat). For color detail,
see Appendix A.
Figure 2.18
Cashmere (Fiber Goat). For color
detail, see Appendix A.
are very delicate and appear more susceptible to internal
parasites than other goat breeds. Newborn kids need pro-
tection from the cold during their fi rst few days of life.
Angora goats have excellent browsing ability and can
adapt to areas where sheep would not thrive on land unsuit-
able for other agricultural uses.
The average amount of mohair produced by these goats
is 2.4 kg (5.3 lb) per shearing with animals usually being
sheared twice a year in the U.S., South Africa, and Russia
but only once a year in Turkey. Mohair does not shed out
naturally; therefore, Angora goats must be sheared. See
Figure 2.17 .
Cashmere goats with Angora goats. This is a fi rst cross
between Angora goats with feral goats or Angora goats
with Cashmere goats. The Angora goats were being used to
upgrade feral goats in Australia and New Zealand. There
are two foundation breeds developed in Australia (Shrestha,
2005 ). The fi ber has both Mohair and Cashmere qualities.
Cashmere
The name originated in Kashmir, a mountainous region in
northwest India bordering Pakistan. The breed is also
known as Pashmina, Changthangi (Kashmir), Mongolian,
Alashan Down, Albas Down, Hexi Down, and Tibetan and
Xinjian (China). The fi ber (luxurious fi ber of kings) is a
secondary hair shed by goats during the spring and is very
fi ne in diameter. The breed usually is white with long hair.
The horns are twisted, and ears are either erect or horizon-
tal. More than 60% of the world's cashmere is produced
in China with the remainder in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Kashmir,
Australia, and New Zealand. Cashmere goats were
imported from Australia and New Zealand to the U.S. in
the 1800s. This breed is easy to raise and needs minimal
management. Because they are not agile, they are easy to
contain but need shelter due to the insulating nature of their
dual coat that is shed in summer. They are sheared once a
year, and an adult buck will shear about 1.1 kg (2.5 lb) of
fl eece, which contains guard hair and about 20% cashmere.
See Figure 2.18 .
Atlai Mountain
This fi ber (wool) breed of goat originated in Gorno, Atlai,
Siberia, Russia, by crossing Don goats (wool goats) with
local goats. The breed also is used for production of milk
and skins. The coat color usually is black with a grey
undercoat. This breed was fi rst recognized as a breed group
in 1968 and as a separate breed in 1982. They are well
adapted to year-round grazing on pastures under extensive
systems in the highlands. They are uniform in color, size,
and conformation (Dmitriez and Ernst, 1989). The adult
males weigh about 65 - 70 kg (146 - 155 lb) and females
about 41 - 44 kg (90 - 97 lb). The guard hair color is black
and true dark. Of very high quality, the fi ber is a valuable
commodity.
Cashgora
This is a composite breed that developed in Australia, New
Zealand, and Great Britain primarily by crossbreeding
Kurdi
The Kurdi goat originated in Kurdistan, Iraq, and Iran. The
breed is a cashmere-producing breed. Their color usually
