Cashmere Goats
Background & Characteristics
Cashmere goats:
- Are smart, gentle, and personable.
- Produce soft, luxurious cashmere fiber.
- Love to eat wild rose, poison ivy, and other weeds.
Many people are surprised to learn that all cashmere comes from goats. This incredibly soft and fine fiber is the goats' undercoat. Until recently, most cashmere came from goats living in the cold regions of Central Asia.
History
In the 1970s, a program was begun to develop goats that would produce cashmere in our climate. Wild goats from Australia were crossed with Spanish meat goats living in the American southwest. After years of selective breeding, American Cashmere Goats were born.
Cashmere Fiber
Each year, the goats grow a new coat of cashmere fiber. The fiber starts growing in early summer; by winter, the goats look like four-legged puffballs.
The natural color of cashmere fiber is usually light to chocolate brown, cream, white, or gray, a color that often differs from that of the goats' outer coat.
Personality
Cashmere Goats are remarkably intelligent, friendly, and easy going. They get along well with other animals, children, and each other and never "butt" people with their beautiful horns.
Diet
Although the goats prefer to eat weeds and brush, they also like pasture plants and hay. Like other goats, they digest their food in stages and don't eat much for their size.
In pasture settings, Cashmere Goats mix well with cattle and horses, which prefer different plants. Goat feed is only needed when females are pregnant or nursing and while the kids are young.
Goats for Sale
Harley Farm has several wethers (neutered males) and does (females) available for sale at prices ranging from $175 to $500. These adult and young goats are black, badger (tan), and white.
Goat Breeding Services
Our buck Fabio produces large quantities of very fine, tightly crimped white fiber. He is also good natured and easy to handle. Fabio is available for breeding at the rate of $65 per doe.
Fabio, in profile.
Fabio, looking good.