Fiber Goat Breeds - Goats Breeds
Fiber Goats
The fiber goat industry in the United States has existed for over a hundred years. Natural fibers were the first materials available for clothing and cashmere and mohair were luxury fibers used for fine clothing and other items. The fiber industry has struggled in recent years and numbers have dwindled as many producers have turned to other breeds of goats to survive. Today, these fibers are still in demand, but at a lower level and efforts are being made to expand the industry.
Angora Goats
Angora goats originated from the Angora district of Asia Minor. Angora dates back to early biblical history. Angora is a very attractive animal with both sexes having horns. Ears are heavy and drooping. The Angora goat is a small animal compared to sheep, common goats or dairy goats. The most valuable feature of the Angora goat compared to other goats is the value of sheared mohair. The average goat in the US sheds about 5.3 pounds of mohair per shearing and is typically sheared twice a year. The Angora goat is a browsing animal, which makes it very adaptable to certain areas of agriculture. They have often been able to provide economic returns on land that is unsuitable for normal agricultural pursuits.
Cashmere Goats
Feral goats from Australia and Spanish meat goats from the American Southwest, selected for their fiber qualities, form the basis of the American cashmere goat industry. Any goat can grow cashmere, but the ones we call "Kashmiri goats" have been selectively bred to produce a significant amount. Goats can have any color under and around the hair, but the combable or clippable parts of the body (excluding the face, socks and belly) must be the same color. Guard hair can be long or short depending on individual conditions and preferences, but guard hair should be coarse enough that a mechanical dehairer can easily distinguish it from cashmere. Traditionally, Kashmiri goats do not have horns. Both male and female Cashmere goats have horns.
Cashmere is the soft, downy undercoat of the goat, which grows to its maximum length by mid-winter and is shed in early spring. The quality of cashmere wool is determined by three factors: its length, its diameter, and the degree of crushing. Cashmere fiber is coarse (rather than wavy), soft and lacks luster. According to industry standards it must be at least 1-1/4′ long with an average diameter of less than 19 microns. The softness of the fiber gives it "height" and enables cashmere clothing to provide warmth without weight.
The American cashmere industry promotes high standards in raising healthy animals with exceptionally good cashmere fiber.
Pygora Goats
Pygoras® are wool-producing goats, derived from Angora and Pygmy heritage [American Angora Goat Breeders Association (AAGBA)/National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA)]. The first cross offspring are recorded in the herd book as first generation (F1), second generation animals that meet all other breed standard characteristics listed as registered Pygoras. A registered pygmy cannot exceed 75% of the heritage breed (pygmy or angora).
The Pegora Breeders Association (PBA) was formed in 1987, maintains a registry herd book, and only goats registered with the PBA can bear the name 'Pegora®'. In addition, all Pygora goats must conform to Pygora breed standards, including conformation, color/pattern and wool characteristics. Pigeons usually give birth to twins, which weigh about 5 pounds at birth. Adults (female pygurus) should average 80-120 pounds and be at least 18 inches long. Adult bucks (male pygorus) and wethers (neutered males) should average 75-140 pounds and be at least 23 inches long. An attractive personality, manageable size, hardness and wool in a range of colors make the Pigurus an excellent fiber goat.
Pygoras® is bred to produce fine fiber for hand spinning, and has a high, soft, fiber that does not thicken as the goat ages. A pygura is typically sheared twice/year, and depending on the type of fleece, the raw fleece yield is between 0.5-3 lbs/quin. Pygora fiber is very versatile. It can be spun, felted or woven, blended beautifully with fine wool or silk, and easily dyed using natural, acid or food dyes.
Types of Pygora Goats
Pigeons will have one of three types of wool:
Type A — This wool has an average length of 6 inches, is long, shiny, ringed and should have very few guard hairs. The fiber is very fine and feels silky, smooth and cool to the touch. Type-A goats are usually slaughtered twice a year.
Type B — This wool is a strong, lustrous fiber that is curly and very soft. A Type-B fleece is an average of 3-6 inches long, and can have two types of guard hair: a clear, stiff guard hair and a silky guard hair. This is uniquely Pygora wool - very versatile, warm and soft to the touch. Type B goats are usually slaughtered twice a year.
Type C — This wool is a matte fiber that has a crimp and is very short in length (typically 1-3 inches). It has very pronounced thick guard hairs and is warm to the touch. Type C has the best diameter of the three wool types and can be as soft as fine cashmere. A Type-C coat can be cut by brushing, plucking or clipping. The yield is very low, but the effort is worth it. Type C wool is incredibly soft.
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