Angora
goats produce MOHAIR, which should not be confused with Angora wool, which
comes from Angora rabbits
While other goats are double-coated, i.e. they have coarse outer hairs and an under-down; Angora goats are the only single-coated breed. The presence of any coarse hairs, known as kemp and medullated fibres, are faults.
Mohair is a fine luxurious fibre, which can readily be dyed to brilliant colours. It is sometimes referred to as the "diamond fibre" because of its lustre and hardwearing properties. It is often blended with other natural fibres to produce yarns and textiles. Angora goats are sheared twice a year, usually in January and late summer. As the fleece grows, it forms "ringlets" or staples, due to a spiral twist known as style and a crimp known as character. The length, lustre, density, quality, fineness and evenness of the fleece are all-important, a product of heredity and management.
Fibre
diameter increases with the goat’s age; kid mohair is under 30 microns
in diameter, young goat is 30 - 33 microns, and adult is
over 33 microns. The finest fibre is the most highly priced and is used
for sweaters and cloth, the
coarsest for
rugs. A fleece report, generated by microscope and computer, should be seen
for any animal considered for
purchase and the results of the British Angora Goat Society's Sire
evaluation
Scheme should also be taken into account. Since a heavy fleece
from a male
goat may weigh 6 kg. and that from a female 4 kg., a sturdy body and
strong legs
are important. Once shorn the mohair may be home processed or sold
as it is through
British Mohair Marketing Ltd.
As well as Angora goat classes at shows, fleece competitions are held, and craft competitions at which beautiful garments of the highest standard may be seen. Angora goats require plenty of forage in their diet, (see BGS booklet "Feeding Goats") and adequate housing after shearing and around kidding time.
Further information can be obtained
from the Secretary of the British Angora Goat Society (also the
Secretary of British Mohair Marketing):
Liz Graham, 5 The Langlands, Hampton Lucy, Warwick CV35 8BN
Tel: 01789 841930
Fax: 01789
841219
E-mail: secretary@angoragoat.fsnet.co.uk
The
Boer goat is a specialist meat goat that originates in South Africa, where
its ability to produce excellent carcase conformation coupled with a fast
growth rate has been improved over many years. UK Boers were imported from
Europe in the late 1980`s, although 2000 has seen new importations from
Canada and New Zealand to strengthen the genetic pool (EEC regulations do
not allow direct imports from South Africa).
Low percentage Boer females
make excellent dual purpose meat/milk animals. (While higher percentage
does will rear their kids successfully, the volume of milk is lower and
lactation shorter than dairy breeds.) As numbers grow, herds of Boers kept
solely for meat production are beginning to appear and the future looks
bright for this breed of gentle giants.
Cashmere
is the down produced by the skin’s secondary hair follicles, which grows
in response to decreasing day-length, thus protecting the goat from the
winter cold much more efficiently than do the guard-hairs produced by the
primary hair follicles (these coarser hairs make up the visible coat of
the animal). Thus the word “cashmere” describes the down, not the
goat, and many goats have the genetic makeup that enables them to
produce down.
The
Scottish Cashmere Producers Association has been highly successful in
blending imported and native feral goats to breed animals that produce
fibre to the high standards of the famous garment makers. Fortunately, the
required characteristics to produce good cashmere are inherited to a high
degree. Even so, usually no more than 300 gm. of dehaired cashmere will he
obtained from one good goat.
