• The new edition of "Cashmere Goat Notes" will have a broader coverage of the goat industry than was found in earlier editions. This reflects the greater diversity of Australian based goat enterprises and the growing maturity of Australian goat industries.

Goatmeat is an end product of any goat enterprise and the goat meat section is a necessary component of any technical work on the cashmere industry. The Boer Goat Breeders Association of Australia Ltd has accepted an invitation to contribute to the update of the existing goatmeat chapters. The Mohair and goat Dairy Industries have also been invited to participate.

An editorial committee has been established under ACGA Councillor, Mr Walter Aich, and the Principle Investigator Mr Jock Simmonds.

Research has been completed. Material is now being updated and/or written, as appropriate.

• The objectives of this work are inter-related with general objectives being to improve the use of cashmere in textile production and to improve the quality of cashmere and mohair textiles.

The project has also examined a range of commercially important quality attributes of Australian cashmere. Australian cashmere has a number of superior attributes compared to cashmere from the major producing regions. The potential use of these superior attributes in marketing raw and processed Australian cashmere is being examined. The effects of animal husbandry and nutrition on these cashmere fibre attributes is still being examined by undertaking retrospective examination of historic research samples.

• By September 30 2000 to determine the most appropriate crosses of Boer goats with meat, fibre and dairy breeds to satsify Australian and overseas market requirements for live goats and goat products including meat fibreand skins. Specificially:

• To evaluate the productivity of Boer Goat crosses in the agricultural area of WA and the sub tropical area of Queensland.
• To compare the productivity of Boer goat crosses with existing goat breeds run under the same conditions.
• To assess objectively, the difference in quality characteristics of meat and fibre produced from Boer goat crosses and existing goat breeds.
• To determine by assessment in target markets, whether a premium can be paid for live goats, meat and fibre from Boer goat crosses and determine the reasons for any premium.
• To compare the net return from Boer goat crosses with those from existing goat bereeds run under the same conditions.

• By 30 September 2000, in conjunction with AMLC and goat exporters, to investigate the potential for developing premium export markets for live goats and meat from Boer goat crosses.
• By Septermber 2000, and in consultation with abattoirs, exporters and the AMLC, to develop guidelines for the production of Boer goat crosses that will cater for the market.
• In conjunction with the Goat Industry council, undertake and effective program for disseminating the results of the project to industry members.

One of the objectives of the research project is to determine by assessment in target markets any preference or premium for goat genotypes generated in the project. A consignment of skin-on carcasses (representing a range of genotypes) were evaluated by Focus group in Taipei (Taiwan) and a second consignment of skin-off carcasses were evaluated in Dubai (Middle East). The Focus group members in Taipei identified and strongly preferred castrated male as against entire male carcasses. 

The opposite was found in Dubai (entire males preferred). Both Focus Groups appeared to have preferences for different genotypes that differed between these two markets. The expansion of large Boer crosses carcasses into Taiwan may be difficult given the firm belief by the Taiwanese that big (> 16kg) carcasses are smelly/bucky. Less then 25% of the first cross goats have fleeces of cashgora with >35 mm long fibres. These goats have been shorn and their fleeces evaluated. Leather evaluation of the different genotypes has begun.

• The project seeks to identify factors associated with high phenotypic down production in cashmere goats and to develop a hypothesis for a genetic basis

At this time the project would appear to have identified one or more fibre growth patterns that differ significantly from the traditionally accepted autumn growth/late winter shedding cycle. Observation techniques are being adjusted to elucidate this discovery in detail. This second growth cycle will determine if the animals are consistent in their performance. Even at this early stage the observations suggest that at least one of these variations has a genetic base.

Seventy-nine of the project does produced a total of eighty eight offspring (42 males, 46 females). Of these 26 males and 30 females were retained as potential replacements. Precise measurements for gestation length for all animals were obtained as a "by-product". These are displayed graphically at the project Web Site www.cashmere.au.com

The Project is on track. The challenge of the next 6 months is to further develop our analysis techniques to extract meaningful correlations from the enormous amount of data being collected.

• To identify the real marketing problem for Australian Mohair – Cashmere and Merino Wool and to suggest solutions. Also document development of mohair and cashmere.

It will describe the development of the mohair and cashmere industries, identify the important marketing problems encountered also those in the wool industry.

The book will suggest marketing strategies which should bring growth and more prosperous conditions to merino wool, mohair and cashmere.

• The major outcome of this project will be a practical and effective treatment (Oestadiol Mating Protocol) that will increase fertility and conception rates in female alpacas following natural mating or AI.

• Ongoing compilation of a literature review of the available information that has been published on camelids.
• Ongoing observational studies of alpaca reproductive behaviour in relation to ovarian follicle diameter, blood oestradiol and progesterone concentrations and pregnancy: started 12/98, will continue until 12/99.
• Writing a database and collecting data to do a retrospective analysis of Australian alpaca reproductive indices.
• Studied ovarian follicular dynamics after treatment with exogenous 17b -oestradiol using a cross-over experimental design with 16 female alpacas in May-July 1999.
• Meetings with Dr Alex Tinson and Dr Angus MacKinnon, veterinarians with extensive experience with embryo transfer and other reproductive technologies in dromedary camels in the United Arab Emirates, to discuss camelid reproduction.
• RIRDC project updates to the Australian Alpaca Association annual conference, University of Melbourne Post-Graduate Seminar group and the Australian Camelid Veterinary Association in July-August 1999.
• Will observe ovarian follicular dynamics subsequent to treatment in a commercial herd that is making 40 female alpacas available in August 1999.
• Currently communicating with researchers in Peru to organise collaboration and access to a Peruvian research herd in January 2000. The high cost and low numbers of alpacas available in Australia severely restricts access to animals to allow statistically significant results to be achieved.