Angora Goats

Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Missouri, Utah, and California lead in raising Angora goats. Because these animals can utilize certain types of vegetation that other livestock do not like, farms and ranches make millions of dollars annually from the production of mohair. A major part of the industry is concentrated in Texas, particularly the Edwards Plateau in the Southwest.

Mohair has luster, fineness, strength, and excellent spinning and dyeing qualities. In recent years many breeders have sacrificed quality (fineness) for large fleece weights; consequently, manufacturers contend that too large a percentage of coarse mohair is being produced. Despite this trend there is still a relatively large number of goats that yield mohair of fine quality that might be used more in breeding for finer quality mohair, provided breeders are encouraged to do so.

Selection of herd bucks with fine fleeces, free of kemp, is an important step in breeding for improved mohair quality. Kemp, a coarse, chalky white, stiff hair, will not take a dye, and the trade discriminates against it. Angora does selected for breeding should be well developed, carrying dense fine-quality fleeces relatively free from kemp, and showing distinct ringlets or flat locks, as contrasted to straight hair, which indicates a lack of fleece character. More attention needs to be given to constitution and development in selecting foundation stock, for without sturdiness there is no foundation upon which to breed.

Studies on the inheritance of type in Angora goats by the workers at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station indicate that equally fine-quality mohair fleeces may be produced by flat-lock and ringlet types; also that fleece weights need not be sacrificed at the expense of average fineness. The average fleece weight per head produced during 12 months' growth by registered Angora does ranging in age from I.5 to 10 years was 7.8 pounds, and for doe kids was 4.7 pounds. Fleeces produced during the fall and winter are reported to be finer in quality than those produced on lush ranges during the spring and summer.

The Angora goat has not yet received full recognition as a meat-producing animal. Surplus animals in many herds could undoubtedly be utilized for meat purposes. On many southwestern ranches, goat meat, known as chevon, is eaten extensively and for years has been a popular barbecue dish.

Feed-lot and carcass studies of Angora goats made by the Texas station are probably the first of their kind. J. C. Miller, J. M. Jones, and C. R. Burt report the feeding of Angora wethers in dry lot for 100 days. Average daily gains by yearlings, 2-year-olds, and 3- and 4-year-olds were 0.19, 0.12, and 0.16 pound, respectively, as compared with 0.31 pound by choice Rambouillet feeder lambs. The dressed yield of the wether goats ranging from 48 to 53 percent on an unsheared basis compared favorably with good to choice Rambouillet lambs. The goat carcass was surprisingly similar to fat lamb carcasses in the percentage of edible meat and bone. However, even the best goat carcasses lacked the thickness and plumpness found in medium to good lamb carcasses. The fat was lacking in uniformity of distribution. In palatability tests, chevon was rated favorably in juiciness and flavor.

It has been estimated that before the war 80 percent of all mohair grown in the United States was used in the manufacture of upholstery and wall and floor coverings. The rest went into yarns and fabrics for clothing. During the war, considerable quantities of the fiber were used in making sweaters, neckties, and socks. New markets for mohair may open: Upholstery for the new automobiles, airplanes, trains, and busses, in the new, modern homes, and in woven and knitted fabrics for clothing.

THE AUTHOR

Victor L. Simmons is an associate animal husbandman in the Bureau of Animal Industry. He has been engaged in research in the breeding, feeding, and management of sheep and goats since 1928. His long experience has given him an understanding of both the scientific and practical aspects of raising sheep and goats.