Angora

The Angora goat is the only domestic livestock animal that produces mohair — the lustrous, fine, durable natural fibre that has been valued for textiles since the Ankara region of Turkey first developed the breed centuries ago. Australia is one of the world's significant mohair producers, with Angora herds concentrated in the tablelands of NSW, Victoria, and South Australia, where the cooler, higher-altitude conditions produce the best fibre quality.

Angoras are medium-sized animals covered in long, flowing ringlets of mohair that grow approximately 2.5 to 3.5 centimetres per month — which is why shearing twice yearly (typically August and February) is the standard management approach. The fleece hangs in distinct, lustrous locks with a characteristic "bright" sheen that distinguishes quality mohair from lower-grade fibre.

Mohair is graded primarily by fibre diameter (micron), with the finest fibre (below 25 microns, called "kid mohair") commanding the highest prices. Fibre diameter coarsens with age — kid mohair (first clip from animals under 18 months) is typically 20 to 24 microns; adult fleeces may reach 30 to 35 microns. The commercial implication is that younger animals produce more valuable fibre, and selling older animals before their fleece coarsens significantly maximises fibre value. Annual yields of 3 to 5 kg of skirted, classed mohair per adult animal are typical under good management.

The Australian mohair industry markets through the South African Mohair Growers Association export channels and domestic processors. Mohair prices are volatile and globally influenced, which means Angora enterprise profitability varies significantly year to year and requires a business model that can handle price cycles. Many Australian Angora producers maintain dual-income strategies combining mohair with breeding stock sales.

Adult Angoras yield 3 to 5 kg of skirted, classed mohair per year across two six-monthly clips. First-clip kid mohair (below 25 microns) achieves premium prices and is the highest-value product. Fibre diameter coarsens with age — managing the cull date to maintain flock average micron is a key production decision. Staple length of 10 to 12 cm per clip is standard; longer staple attracts a small premium. Fleece must be free of vegetable matter (VM) contamination — a particular challenge in Australian conditions where pasture seed heads can devastate fleece value.

Angoras are the most demanding of the common Australian goat breeds in their management requirements. They are highly susceptible to cold, wet conditions — a freshly shorn Angora in a cold southerly rain can die from hypothermia within hours. Provide solid shelter that can be closed in cold, wet weather; this is non-negotiable in southern tablelands environments. Shearing timing should avoid periods of likely cold, wet weather — a week's delay in shearing can be the difference between a straightforward seasonal task and an emergency welfare situation.

Nutritional requirements are moderate but VM contamination management is critical. Select paddocks carefully in the spring seeding period — barley grass, spear grass, and similar seed-bearing grasses can render a mohair clip commercially worthless. Angoras also have higher susceptibility to internal parasites than meat breeds and require strategic parasite management throughout the year.