The Decline of the Angora Goat Industry in Three Texas Counties

Abstract

One hundred three present and 104 past Angora goat producers in 3 Texas counties were questioned regarding the relative importance of factors contributing to the decline of the goat industry in Texas. While the distribution of past and present producers among herd-size, ownership, and age classes was similar, it differed with regard to kidding. More present producers attempted to reduce livestock losses by shed and shed/trap kidding and use of predator control and husbandry techniques. Present producers also reported fewer kids and adults killed by predators. Predation losses was the production-limitation factor of greatest concern to both present and past goat ranchers. Disease problems and concern over competition from the synthetic fiber industry were ranked second and third, respectively, by present producers whereas mohair prices were ranked second and shortage of shearers, disease problems, and competition from the synthetic fiber industry collectively were ranked third by past producers. The Angora goat industry is an important part of the agricultural economy of Texas. Texas has more than 90% of the Angora goats in the United States with an estimated population of I. 1 million in 1983 (Texas Crop and Livestock Reporting Service 1983a). Goat numbers in Texas have been cyclic for nearly 60 years; however, during the past I8 years, the number of goats shorn has declined 72%. In 1965, at the peak of the goat industry, 4.6 million goats produced 14.3 million kg of mohair valued at $20.8 million (Texas Crop and Livestock Reporting Service 1981a), whereas in 1982, 1.3 million goats produced 4.4 million kg valued at $25.0 million (Texas Crop and Livestock Reporting Service 1983a). Published data regarding the cause of this decline are lacking. Bowns (1980) suggested that low mohair prices in the mid-1960’s and early 1970’s were the major reason Angora goat numbers decreased, but predator problems were a strong second factor. Kensing (1978, 1980) suggested that flock liquidations have resulted primarily from economic losses due to predation. Data are more complete regarding factors influencing the decline of the sheep industry. Generally, U.S. sheep numbers have steadily declined from a high of 57 million animals in 1942 (Cothern 1981) to 11.9 million in 1983 (Banks 1983), a 79% decline. Gee et al. (1977) suggested that the decrease in sheep numbers has resulted from farmers and ranchers either discontinuing sheep enterprises or reducing herd sizes, with ewes being slaughtered rather than retained for stocking purposes. Gee et al. (1977) and others (Early et al. 1974a, b, Neese et al. 1976, Stevens and Hartley 1976) suggested that the reasons for these actions by producers include excessive losses to predators, shortage of sheep herders and other labor problems, lack of production/ management improvements, competition from alternative enterprises, and employment in other occupations. The objective of this study was to determine which of these and other factors have influenced the decline of the The author conducted this research while as graduate research assistant at Texas A&M University. Presently, the author is postdoctoral researcher. University of California, Hopland Field Station, 4070 University Road, Hopland. Calif. 95449. This research was funded in part by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver Wildlife Research Center, Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0009-81-934. The author thanks Drs. J.R. Conner. N.J. Silvv. M.J. Shult. and D.A. Wade for their comments on the manuscript, and all the ranchers who so willingly responded to the survey. Manuscript accepted June 20, 1984. 158 Angora goat industry in 3 Texas counties.