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Our Starter Herd
Our interest in Cashmere Goats was triggered when one day while searching the internet looking at different breeds of goats, I came upon a website on Cashmere goats. At that time we had a few Boer goats and we were looking for a breed of goat with a dual purpose. I had heard of cashmere sweaters, but like many, did not realize that cashmere came from goats.
Our starter herd came from Riversong Farms, Nazko, BC. We acquired 3 does and a buck. The owners were very helpful in guiding us with the care and procedure involved in collecting this gorgeous fibre. We have now been Cashmere goat owners since 2004.
What is a Cashmere goat?
Actually Cashmere is not a breed of goat, but a type of goat. Cashmere is a fibre definition. Many goats give fibre, however in order to be classified as “cashmere” it has to meet rigorous criteria such as length (must be at least 1.25”) and a diameter of less than 19 microns, as well as having good crimp. Cashmere is often referred as “the Fibre of Kings” because of its softness and luxury feel. Fleece start growing on the longest day of the year and stop by the winter solstice. If not harvested by combing or shearing, the fleece will naturally start to shed between February and April.
 Where do Cashmere goats come from?
Cashmere goats traditionally came from central Asia. However, some of the feral goats from Australia were found to produce small amounts of cashmere. With selective breeding and rigorous culling done during many years, Australia was about to establish commercial herds of cashmere goats.
A similar process was done for the North American herds. Some of the Spanish goats from the USA also were found to produce small amounts of cashmere. Goats from Australia were imported to breed with these goats and this is how the cashmere goat industry started in North America.
Cashmere goats are very hardy because they kept many of the traits of their “wild” or feral ancestors. They have strong maternal instincts, usually have few problems kidding and do not require much for shelter. Even in the most rigorous climate, they seem to adapt very well.
Fibre
Cashmere fibre is one of the most luxurious fibre in the world. It comes in many colours such as shades of white, gray, beige. The fibre usually contains guard hairs, whether it is combed or shorn. However, if the fibre is shorn, it usually contains much more guard hair than if the goat was brushed. Guard hair is the outer hair on a goat, bigger and coarser hair that protects the goat from the UV rays, rain etc. Therefore also protecting the fine under layer of hair which is the cashmere down. Guard hair can be removed by hand, if you are a patient person with lots of time on your hands or it can be mechanically removed by a dehairing machine. This process will remove almost all the guard hair. Because of the fineness of cashmere, specialized dehairers need to be used. There are only a few mills that have the equipment necessary to dehair and process cashmere.
What about Cashmere goats for meat?
A high majority of the cashmere goats in Canada have Spanish meat goats as ancestors , therefore having strong and blocky bodies and kids with fast growing rate, make them suitable for meat. Goat meat is the most consumed meat in the world. With its high protein and low fat content, it makes it a good and healthy choice for everyone.
A few facts about goats
Goats are fairly easy to keep, however proper and adequate fencing is required. Goats, unlike sheep are browsers, not grazers. They will look for brush or other types of shrubs and they will climb or jump in order to reach it, this is the reason good fencing is required. We use a “page- wire” fence along with two or 3 strands of electrical wires inside the page-wire and this has worked for us. It is also important to rotate pastures in order to reduce parasites. Goats are friendly and nosey creatures by nature and are fun to have around if kept in safe and secure surroundings.
If you have any questions regarding goats, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions or refer you to someone that can.
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