An academic-turned-farmer who stopped a flock of Angora goats from going to the slaughterhouse hopes to use genetic breeding to extend the number of years they can produce high-quality fleece.
An Angora goat farmer is hopeful a genetic breeding program will make the breed more sustainable and productive.Exporters say Australian mohair is highly regarded and more producers are needed to meet global demand.
After taking the goats in 2021, Gina Wood launched a selective coupling program she says will make the breed more productive and ethical to farm."What we're trying to achieve with our genetic program is that as the animal ages, its micron doesn't blow out, it will stay stable," Dr Wood said. While the fleece quality is comparable to lambs and merino wool, Dr Wood said Angoras were more productive and environmentally friendly."Sheep are heavier on the land and we have fairly fragile soils in WA. The Angora goats are actually lighter on the ground and certainly more so than cattle."She is now focused on breeding bucks that would produce heavy kids with dense fleeces.
"I've got a six-shearing-animal, which is producing up to 30 microns, which is what you would wear against your skin."Fremantle-based Australian Speciality Fibres director John Bradbury said Australian wool was highly sought after, but domestic supply was struggling to keep up with international demand, being driven by European fashion houses.
"We're buying from all the producers here in WA, plus we're also buying in New South Wales," he said. Government pushes for minimum wage increase to keep pace with inflation, so worker pay does not go backwards
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