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Rural Industries
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|| Introduction || Project listing|| Project Summaries ||
This program can incorporate cashmere, mohair, alpaca fibre and camel hair projects. To date the R&D has been limited to mohair and cashmere since these industries fund R&D via means of levies on fibre sales.
The financial return from cashmere, and to a lesser extent mohair, fell during 1996-97. Mohair production was reduced from about 435 tonnes in 1995-96 to an estimated 350 tonnes in 1996-97. This amount represents less than 2 per cent of world production.
Cashmere production is less than 1 per cent of world production. The average reduction of about 20 per cent in Australia in the price of cashmere in 1996-97 is a result of the small market share and our vulnerability as a "price-taker". Increasing the efficiency of production and the effectiveness of producing what is required in processing are means of increasing returns.
Research Highlights for 1996-97:
DEVELOPING GOATS TO GROW LONG STAPLED CASHMERE
Objectives
· To select from a diverse population of Faure Island goats,
goats which produced 450g of saleable 19 uc dehaired cashmere or 1.1 kg
of raw greasy 22 uc Faure fibre.
· To determine the production and fleece characteristics of the
base flock.
· To estimate the heritability of the major traits that determine
economic performance.
· To measure the repeatability of fleece measurements over time.
· To measure the progeny of the mating of Faure sires with feral
cashmere type does.
Background
Strong cashmere and "cashgora" represent about 15% of the down sold by the Australian cashmere industry. Gross margin analysis prior to this project indicated that financial returns from "cashgora" production exceeded returns from cashmere production but this position has reversed. The population studied offered a potential for production of worsted length cashmere and for increasing cashmere production by crossbreeding, an area of research not scientifically explored by the cashmere industry.
Research
The research flock was grazed under commercial conditions near Horsham, Victoria. Selected bucks were single sire mated to known groups of measured does. Goats were shorn at 5, 10 and 17 months of age. Fleece samples were objectively measured and results used to select sires and dams for the breeding flock and to determine genetic data. Fibre was also trial processed.
Outcomes
All project objectives were achieved. The staple length of goats growing strong cashmere was > 7.5 cm sufficient to enable worsted spinning of this fibre. All the major economic traits were highly heritable including fibre style, down fibre diameter and down production. Generally it was not advisable to rely on the measurements of traits at 10 months of age because much of the additive genetic variations of the more important later trait was unaccounted for at the earlier age.
Faure dams were superior to feral cashmere dams for almost all traits except mean down fibre diameter in which case there was little age. Following commercial processing dehaired strong cashmere tops had less than 2% of fibres greater than 30 uc.
Recommendations for the preparation of further lots of strong cashmere for obtaining good processing performance have been made. Selected strong cashmere style Faure goats offer a valuable genetic resource for the production of long stapled strong cashmere.
Implications
Further development of goats to grow long stapled cashmere has the potential to significantly increase cashmere production and profitability. Preliminary processing has shown that long stapled cashmere produces acceptable textile fibre. Industry can obtain significantly greater financial benefits from this product by improved marketing. Further development of the cashmere industry depends in large part on the widespread application of genetic improvement programs and the careful use of crossbreeding.
RIRDC Project No: DAV-45A
RESEARCHER: Bruce McGregor
ORGANISATION: Victorian Institute of Animal Science Agriculture Victoria
475 Mickleham Road ATTWOOD VIC 3049
PHONE: 03 9217 4260 FAX: 03 9217 4299
E-MAIL: mcgregorb@woody.agvic.gov.au
PUBLICATIONS: McGregor, B A. (1996). The potential for Faure goats and for crossbreeding to develop Australia's goat industries, Proceedings of Seminar June 22, Horsham, Victoria. Ed. B A McGregor. pp 76. (Agriculture Victoria: Attwood). Letts, S. (1996). Faure Goats. In: Landline 21st July 1996. (Australian Broadcasting Commission: Melbourne).
ECONOMIC STUDY OF THE CASHMERE AND MOHAIR INDUSTRY
Objectives
· To identify factors to assist decisions on inventing into
the raising of cashmere or angora goats.
· To determine gross margin returns for cashmere and angora goat
enterprises.
Background
The likely returns from cashmere and angora goats compared to other enterprises is of paramount importance in investing in a livestock industry. It is also likely that some of the prejudice that many landholders seem to have against goats would disappear if superior returns are determined.
Research
An economist approach was used in this research, which had four main steps: · Calculation and comparison of Gross Margins on a per Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) basis and on a per $100 of livestock capital basis. · If the results of the above analyses look attractive, then proceed to estimate the capital required to get into the venture. · Preparation of a partial budget to calculate the return on capital from the investment. · If the partial budget is favourable, look to the longer term/preparation of a cash flow projection and use of discounting to calculate a net present value and an internal rate of return. These results then have to be compared to other investments on the farm.
Outcomes and Implications
Cashmere A cashmere enterprise is a realistic enterprise choice for many farmers seeking diversification and for farmers with specific weed problems that goats are known to control or eliminate. The market for cashmere fibre was depressed in the early 1990s but the fibre should always be in demand by the world's increasing numbers of affluent people. However volatility in prices can always occur. The biggest impediments to larger goat industries in general are currently the capital required to get fencing right and altering negative perceptions or damage caused by goats.
Angora On today's prices, an Angora goat enterprise compares favourable with other enterprises on a per DSE basis especially with the use of the new Texan and South African blood lines. To achieve high gross margins management must be of a high standard. Investment into angora goats is a more attractive proposition when capital requirements for improvement, fencing, yards, shearing facilities are only small. Also the investment is particularly attractive if the goats play a part in a weed control program or pasture management program. However an analysis of historical prices paid for mohair show considerable volatility and most farmers would be wise to rely on other income besides that produced from angora goats.
General For commencing either cashmere or angora enterprises one
of the following situations should occur:
· when overall carry capacity is increased because there is a lot
of browse available on the farm; · when weed control costs are reduced;
· when the capital outlay to commence the enterprise is low; or
· when the Gross Margins per DSE are higher for goats than the competing
enterprises.
RIRDC Project No: Consultancy Project
RESEARCHER: Lloyd Davies ORGANISATION: NSW Agriculture PO Box 123 MAITLAND NSW 2320 PHONE: 049 302 435 FAX: 049 302 410
Last updated: 22 October1997
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