Investigating the Angora goat agro-pastoral production system in southern Australia

Abstract Australian research on the influence of the rate of stocking on pasture, animal and mohair growth, parasitism, mortality, and other nutritional and husbandry requirements are reviewed. Liveweight of Angora goats is the main determinant of clean mohair production, fibre diameter and meat production, but not of staple length. Both liveweight and fibre diameter are determinants of the incidence of medullated fibre. Changing the frequency of shearing affects all mohair fleece attributes. Body condition is highly correlated to the liveweight of Angora goats, to welfare risk and carcass production. The profitability of mohair enterprises declined as the proportion of does in the flock increased, associated with a decline in mohair quality. Efforts to improve mohair quality and enterprise financial returns need to focus on producing finer mohair.