World markets for the downy undercoat produced by goats have long recognized cashmere as the finest fiber known to Man. Victorian England prized the famous "ring shawls" woven in the Indian State of Kashmir... shawls made from fiber shed as goats moved to high mountain summer pastures. The lowly goat was man's first domesticated ruminant. Ancient burial sites in China reveal that the goat was a revered and integral part of the culture of early man. Goats even helped man discover coffee by passing undigested coffee beans that were later used as fuel for fires. What a surprise that must have been! Goat produce meat, milk, hides for shelter and fine fiber to weave into warm clothing. Today, there are approximately 25,000 goats in the United States that can provide cashmere to entrepreneurs willing to exploit this resource. Because the fiber is so fine, one goat only produces 1/4 to 1/2 of a pound of fiber per year. And this fiber is hidden within a protective layer of guard hair, which must be separated out before processing can begin. This is why cashmere sweaters are so expensive. But because cashmere is the lightest weight, warmest and completely non-irritating fiber known to man, it's worth it!

World markets for natural fibers have been rising due to demand created by fashion designers. Here in America, the Cashmere America Cooperative in Sonora, Texas, is working to allow producers of the raw product not only an outlet to sell fiber at above world prices, but also an opportunity to value-add their product. Cashmere is worth $ 25 to $35 per pound raw. Prices quoted are for the "down" (dehaired batt) that is expected to be produced from a fleece. These prices are not for total weight of the raw fleece. You cannot multiply total fleece weight times estimated yield, or even measured yield and come up with the total fleece value. It is important to understand this concept before trying to market your fiber.

The goat also produces meat that sells for up to $1 per pound on the hoof. Milk from cashmere producing goats is usually not present in sufficient quantities to warrant harvesting. Think of trying to milk an Angus cow as opposed to a Jersey cow. Cashmere goats are basically meat animals that produce this wonderful by-product. Additionally, goats can maximize production on marginal rangeland. What this means is that the goat, while not willing to eat anything (tin cans come to mind), they do love to eat weeds and they will do so on the top of the most inaccessible hill available.

So if you have a weedy pasture, or a rocky hilltop that the cows won't touch, or if you just love goats like I do, read on

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History of Cashmere	World Markets	Fiber Production
Cashmere Characteristics	Cashmere Style	COV and the Prickle Factor

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