Traditionally from central Asia, this humble goats produces one of the world’s most expensive and luxurious fibres. Western countries started developing their own herds in the 1970’s, because of the increased demand, and a limited, unreliable supply of cashmere.  Some of the feral goats in Australia were discovered to produce small amounts of cashmere.  With selective breeding and rigorous culling, animals producing commercial quantities of quality cashmere were successfully bred in 8 - 10 generations.  The Australian Cashmere herds were established. 

A similar process was used for the North American herds.  Some of the Spanish goats in the States were found to have small amounts of cashmere. Bred-up Australian stock was imported and bred to these selected Spanish Meat Goats.  The name Cashmere and Spanish Meat Goat are often used in reference to the same animal,  although a Spanish Meat Goat may not produce cashmere. 

On both continents most herds are bred for both meat and cashmere production - a real dual purpose animal.

The Cashmere Goat

This tough and hardy animal has kept many of the traits of its "wild" or feral ancestors, because it is only a few generations removed for feral stock.  Traits like high fertility rates, few kidding problems, and exceptionally strong maternal instincts are the norm.  Anything less was culled out through natural selection. 

Cashmere goats come in all colours, however the cashmere will be either white or soft shades of brown or grey.  The white fleeces are valued slightly higher than the coloured on the international markets, however coloured fleeces are in demand by weavers, spinners and knitters.   Cashmere goats  have wide spread horns, which are left on , and they tend to be  shorter and more blocky in build than a dairy goat.  They are hardy,  intelligent, and wary.  Like other goats, they have strong herd instincts. 

Cashmere goats require minimal shelter, even in our extreme Canadian climates. A three sided shelter is all they need, to get out of the snow/rain and wind. 

Although a definite type of goat, there is no registry for Cashmere or Spanish Meat Goats.  They are not considered a "breed" but a type.  Cashmere is a fibre definition, and for a goat to be considered a Cashmere, it must produce cashmere fibre. 

Cashmere Fibre

Cashmere is one of the worlds most expensive and luxurious fibres. Referred to as "the fibre of Kings" cashmere has always been, and remains, a highly prized luxury fibre.  

Fleeces start growing on the longest day of the year, and stop by the winter solstice.  The fleece will shed naturally between February and April, and can be harvested by combing or shearing. 

Many goats produce some amount of fuzzy under-down.  However, to be classified as cashmere the down must meet stringent criteria for length, diameter, and style or crimp.  The fibre must be under 19 µ in diameter,  over 1.25" in length, and have crimp to be considered cashmere.  The fleece evaluation results, from a certified lab or classer, should be provided by the breeder for each goat.  It takes laboratory analysis, or a lot of experience, to determine if the under-down is actually cashmere.

Cashmere is one fibre for which there remains a fairly constant demand.  In the last 4 years there have been a number of small mills started in North America with the capability of dehairing and processing cashmere.  This has opened some very exciting new opportunities for producers:  their own cashmere can processed for their own use or to sell directly to others .  As well, there are established buyers who purchase raw fleeces from producers.  

Cashmeres for Meat

Most of the Cashmere goats in this country are bred of Spanish meat goat stock.  The shorter, blocky build and the fast rate of gain on the kids has earned this breed a reputation for commercial meat production. 

In studies and competitions both in Canada and Australia, the Cashmere crosses repeatedly out perform the competition for rate of gain and carcass quality. 

Canada imports over 3.5 million lbs of goat meat a year to supply the growing demand from Canadians from Asian, Indian, Mediterranean,  Middle Eastern, Caribbean, European,  and African backgrounds.  We produce a small fraction of this.    The goat meat industry in Canada is rapidly developing as the awareness of meat goats as a profitable/sustainable type of livestock increases.  The demand greatly exceeds production.

Pasture Management - Weed Control 

Goats are by nature "browsers" rather than "grazers".  They are selective in what they eat, and prefer a menu quite different from cattle or sheep:  willow, poplar shoots, thistles, fire weed, wild roses, stinging nettles, knapweed and leafy spurge are preferred to clover, alfalfa, and grasses. 

These feeding preferences make goats extremely useful in pasture management programs such as rotational grazing and companion grazing.   The opportunity to increase existing livestock numbers by adding goats to the operation presents exciting possibilities for established farms/ranches. 

Goats have also found their niche in brush and weed control programs, both in agricultural and urban settings.  In environmentally sensitive areas they are now being used as a safe, non-polluting alternative to pesticide application for weed and brush control.  And they fertilize at the same time!