The seasonal production of mohair from angora goats in Canterbury

Abstract

An experiment has been described in which a study was made on the fleece characteristics of Angora Goats kept in Canterbury.

Animals that bore twin kids were heavier at tupping than animals that had single kids. The latter were heavier than animals that remained dry.

The trial animals showed highly variable fleece characteristics between body positions on an animal and between animals. Responses to environmental and seasonal influences were highly variable.

The trial goats had an S/P ratio of around 7, varying between 5 and 10.

During spring the mohair fleece showed rudiments of a primitive type double coated fleece by growing kemps, fibres associated with the outer coat of primitive fleeces.

The trial goats showed a shedding of the entire fleece by late spring.

The trial goats had high fleece yields of around 90%.

The trial animals showed a marked seasonal rhythm of mohair production, with minimum production occurring in winter and maximum production occurring in late spring to early summer.

Reproductive activities reduced annual mohair production by about 10 - 14%. This reduction was brought about by a decrease in fibre diameter, a decrease in fibre length growth rate and an increase in the number of inactive follicles during winter and early spring.

Fleece characteristics changed throughout the year. Average fibre diameter was lowest in winter and highest in spring. Average fibre length growth rate was lowest in winter and highest in summer. The number of growing fibres/unit area was highest in summer and lowest in winter. The degree of medullation (including kemps) was highest in spring and lowest in winter.

Relationships between fleece characteristics varied considerably, however: -: average fibre diameter changes occurred prior to average length growth rate changes. -: average fibre diameter and average fibre length correlated positively. -: average fibre diameter and degree of medullation correlated positively. -: average fibre length growth rate and fibre length variation showed an inverse relationship. -: the number of growing fibres/unit area and the degree of medullation showed an inverse relationship.

Kemp fibres grew predominantly along the backline and downward over the rump. Kemps grew excessively in spring and to a lesser degree in autumn. Kemps, though relatively few, had a marked influence on average fibre diameter.

Angora Goats in Canterbury should be shorn early in spring and early in autumn in order to obtain mohair of high standard.

Assessment of the degree of kemp and hairiness of animals should be carried out around late spring to early summer (December).

Assessing the average fibre diameter of mohair is best done with a projection microscope on a midside sample, which should be collected in late summer.

The C.S.I.R.O Fibre Fineness Distribution Analyser, in its present form of development, cannot be recommended for measuring mohair.