Cashmere Goats

What is Cashmere?
Cashmere is the softest most prized fiber for sweaters and suiting. Cashmere is soft, light weight, durable, very warm and makes wonderful feeling garments for wearing. It has long been one of the most exotic and rarest fiber to be found. Cashmere is the term for the soft down undercoat of Cashmere goats. The fleece of Cashmere goats is made up of two distinct fibers. The coarse outer hair and the fine cashmere undercoat. The coarse outer hair is called guard hair. The fine undercoat (under 18.5 microns) is the source of Cashmere fiber for clothing.

Cashmere in the U.S.
Cashmere goats in the United States originated from feral goats found in Australia. In the 1970's research began on goats producing cashmere down. American goats were found to be producing down but not in enough quantity to make it economically viable. In the 1980's cashmere producing goats were imported in the U.S. from Australia and New Zealand. Through careful selection and breeding the American Cashmere industry was born. The Cashmere goat industry in the U.S. is in its infancy, but has potential to become a major world producer. Cashmere goats are raised for their fiber, meat, and ability to rejuvenate weedy pastures. Because they are hardy, have a mild temperament, and are of a large size they are very compatible with sheep and cattle. When mature the males weigh 150 lbs. and the females 100 lbs.

Cashmere Production
The amount of Cashmere a goat produces depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is how much selective breeding is in the genetic background. The amount of down produced depends on the diameter, the length of the fiber, and the overall fleece coverage. The cashmere fiber is the goat's winter coat. Its growth is responsive to light. It begins to grow around the summer solstices (June 21st) and ends around the winter solstices (December 21st). Shearing takes place from December to March, the time
period when the goat naturally begins to shed its winter coat.

Harvesting is by either shearing or combing. Small herds can be combed to recover the fleece, but with larger herds it is more economical to shear the goats.

Raising Cashmere Goats
Cashmere Goats are bred so they kid in February and March. This is a good time for people interested in purchasing kids to select their goats. Kids are normally weaned at around three months of age. The best time to see adult
goats in full fleece is in December before shearing. Conscientious breeders will subjectively evaluate their goats fiber and cull out undesirable animals. Animals used for breeding purpose should have their fiber objectively tested at a laboratory. Domesticated Cashmere goats are not dehorned. The horns disperse body heat, as goats don't sweat. Cashmeres are bigger than pygmy goats and smaller than dairy goats making them an easy size to handle.
Cashmeres are intelligent, curious, and make great pets if they have been tamed down. They butt each other with their horns, but seldom injure each other. Cashmeres require good fences, such as a four foot high field fence to keep goats in and predators out. They need simple shelters to protect them from the wind and rain. Cashmeres run for cover at the first sign of rain. Cashmere goats are browsers and love brush pastures. They do well on hay or improved pastures. Grain helps improve kidding percentages, and depending on the area of the country, mineral supplements may be needed.
They also need to be wormed regularly and have their hoofs trimmed. Overall they are hardy creatures and need only a dry place to get out of the wind and rain.