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A note on the assessment of down production in Australian ‘cashmere’ goats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. C. Couchman  and
B. A. McGregor
R. C. Couchman
Affiliation:
Sheep Industry Services, Department of Agriculture, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia
B. A. McGregor
Affiliation:
Animal Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Werribee 3030, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract

Down production of 93 feral, F1 and F2 cashmere-producing goats run in Victoria was investigated. The goats were visually assessed for down production and shorn. Their fleeces were evaluated for total fibre, down yield, fibre diameter, grease and moisture content. Analyses on down yield and fleece characteristics indicated that they compared favourably with those of traditional cashmere-producing countries. Mean down production ranged from 330 g for males to 148 g for females. Sampling at three body sites was accurate in determining total fleece measures and visual assessment proved a reliable screening technique for on-farm selection. Large variation was found in down production indicating the possibility of rapid genetic gain through selection.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , April 1983 , pp. 317 - 320
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1983

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References

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