FOUR POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A
QUALITY CASHMERE GOAT

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
Cashmere breeding stock sales
Commercial cashmere production
Cashmere Herd improvement
Personal enjoyment
Pets
Cashmere show herd

There are many things you should consider before buying a cashmere goat. Your goals may affect the emphasis you place on these four points. In all livestock sales educate yourself and know what you are looking for.

1. OVERALL APPEARANCE:

• Stand back and get a good look at the overall animal.
• Spots. This is undesirable in Cashmere goats.
• Cashmere fiber that grows from head to tail.
• Uniform body.
• Long, deep and wide body is desirable.
• Standing square on their legs and up on the toe of their hoof.
• American Cashmere goats are judged 50% fiber 50% body.

1. PHYSICAL CONDITION:
• Look for clear bright eyes, no runny noses, limping or signs of diarreah.
• Teeth that are aligned with the gum for good chewing.
• Good udder attachments.
• Two good teats on does and bucks.
• Good testicular size and attachment on bucks.
• Not over weight or under weight

2. FIBER:
• Ask to see fleece test results with the goat’s name/number, date of birth and date tested.
• Fiber should be tested from a shorn 2x2 inch sample from the side of the goat.
• American Cashmere fiber must be under18 microns.
• CV must not exceed 24%
• Fiber must be No less than 1.25” after harvesting.
• Tested curvatures must be greater than 45 deg./mm.
• Cashmere has little to no luster.

3. TOTAL DOWN WEIGHT (TDW):
A shorn fleece average yield is 24%, a combed fleece average is 60%
Weigh the harvested fleece, multiply that weight by the estimated Yield in %. This is the TDW
• 6 ounces and over - High Yield
• 4 - 5.5 ounces - Medium Yield
• 3.5 – 2 ounces - Low Yield
• Less than 2 ounces - Unacceptable Yield
• More weight the better, keeping micron and curvature within requirements.