American Cashmere Goat - a Pet for 4-H or Home Spinners

Whether you're looking for a good 4-H goat or a source of fine spinning and weaving fiber, a cashmere goat might be right up your ally.

The cashmere goat was first bred long ago in the now unpeaceful region of Kashmir along the India/Pakistan border. As the goats spread through Asia, they were bred for thicker and finer coats. The mostly nomadic herders who raised cashmere goats would get milk and fiber from the goats and meat and hides from the culls and old goats.

Today, the cashmere goat is defined as the goat sub-species Capra hircus laniger. Still most commonly found in Asia, particularly China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Tibet, cashmere goats have immigrated westward to Iran, Turkey and other Middle East countries. In recent decades, cashmere goats were imported to New Zealand and Australia and from there to the US. Small herds of cashmere goats are raised in Europe.

American goat breeders may or may not use livestock from the Old World pool. Instead, the defining characteristics of the America cashmere goat are centered around the fiber produced. Using some breeding stock obtained from Australia and mixed with breeds that were brought here with colonists, a standard is emerging. The definitive requirement to name a goat American Cashmere is that the underdown averages no more than 19 microns and is at least 1.25 inches long. It must also be crimped, as opposed to wavy. Finer and longer hair is to be preferred. American Cashmere goats are defined as a dual purpose fiber/meat goat bred to produce soft, useful undercoat and quality meat. The initial foundation imports from Australia arrived in the 1980s and the breed has much variation still.

Cashmere goats are medium to large sized, tolerate cold temperature very well and even produce better fiber in colder climates. They don't jump as well or as often as many other goat breeds so are easier to contain. Most goats are friendly and can be easily accustomed to being handled. They provide the benefit of loving weeds mare than grass so do a great job of cleaning up messy lots. Like all goats, cashmeres are not finicky eaters so are cheap to feed. Cashmere nannies often have twins and occasional triplets so increasing the herd is relatively quick.

Cashmere goats have a double coat, a long, silky overcoat with a fine, downy undercoat. The undercoat must average 19 microns or less with small variance above that and be free of the longer guard hair. The traditional method of collecting fiber involved combing the undercoat out in the spring when the animal naturally sheds it. Guard hairs are picked out by hand. Shearing is an alternative, however, separating the guard hairs from the fleece is more difficult. There are machines that will do this separation but they are rare and expensive.

These fun and interesting goats are becoming more popular in the US every year. As a pet, wool producer and lawn trimmer, you might want to add one to your small acreage.