Four methods of harvesting cashmere from breeding does
A.J. Litherland, D.J. Pateron, G. Hamilton, K. O'Neill
MAF Technology, Flock House Agricultural Centre, Private Bag,
Bulls, New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1991, 51: 259-264
The effectiveness of hand combing, machine combing and body
stocking covers relative to shearing were compared as methods of
harvesting cashmere. Cashmere does were shorn on 4 August and combed on
4 August, 29 August and 3 October. Goats were covered and shorn on one
side on 4 August and on the other on 3 October. Only 9 of the 40 goats
retained their covers until 3 October. Machine combing was the least
effective method of harvesting cashmere and produced a half fleece of
18±2 grams down while shearing was the most effective and produced a
half fleece of 40±4 grams down. Hand combing and body stocking covers
were intermediate and both produced a whole fleece of 46±5 grams and a
half fleece of 27±4 grams respectively. Cashmere wastage in dehaired
guard hair was greater in combed fleeces than shorn fleeces. Despite
the higher yield of combed fibre there was no reduction in the speed of
dehairing. Harvest method had no effect on goat liveweights at 3
October.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Goats; cashmere; combing; shearing; covers; down weight; yield;
fibre diameter; dehairing
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
