Evaluation of a genetically fine mohair producing herd

Abstract

The performance of a herd of genetically fine hair Angora goats, bred at the Jansenville Experimental Station in South Africa, was compared with goats in a control herd raised under the same conditions for the duration of the project. Body weights and fleece traits for kids, young goats and does in both herds were measured, while conformation traits for young goats were assessed at 18 months of age. Body weights of kids from weaning till 18 months of age were heavier and the fibre diameter at all ages was finer in the fine hair herd than in the control herd. At 14 months of age, hair from does and bucks were finer by 2.31 and 1.47 μm, respectively, in the fine hair herd compared to those produced in the control herd. In general, fleece weight of kids from the fine hair herd was lower than that produced by the control herd kids. Young does from the fine hair herd produced fleeces of better style and more ideal in character than those of the control herd. Evenness of fleece was better in the fine hair goats than in the control herd goats. There was no significant difference in body weight between does in the fine hair and control herds. In the fine hair herd, does produced 0.36 kg less hair annually, which was 2.55 μm finer than those in the control herd. A larger proportion of fleeces from the fine hair goats graded finer, and into more valuable classes, compared to those in the control herd, which could have a significant impact on the financial return from mohair production. The results of the study suggest that genetic response to selection for reduced fibre diameter, while maintaining or improving body weight, can be achieved in South African Angora goats.