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Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Authors

T J. Johnson

Keywords

Cashmere, Goats, Australia

Disciplines

Sheep and Goat Science

First Page Number

3

Last Page Number

6

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

Cashmere is the 'cream' of fibres in the garment industry, with processors paying up to $110 a kilogram for quality white cashmere. This highly sought after fibre is the soft superfine undercoat ofgoat hair produced by the secondary follicles of a certain type of goat. The undercoat normally grows during the cooler months of the year and moults in spring.

At least 30 per cent of the Australian feral goat population today could produce reasonable quantities of cashmere which, until now, was being shed and lost to the wild. Fibre processors and goat producers are working towards establishing a new industry in the country, with Western Australian goats playing a major part.

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