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Angora Goats
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General
Britain currently processes 60% of the world's mohair, almost all of which is imported. UK mohair production is currently around 25 tonnes per annum from a flock of between 4,000 - 6,000 animals.
About 10 tonnes of this home grown product is used by the producers or sold to home spinners. Angora kids produce about 3 - 4 kg of mohair in their first year and between 6 - 8 kg once mature although quality deteriorates (fibre ranges from about 20 microns at first shearing to 40 microns in older animals).
Other outputs apart from mohair fibre include breeding stock and goat meat (although demand for both is limited).
Shearing takes place twice a year in spring and autumn.
In commercial flocks breeding stock would normally be culled after 6 years. The gestation period for goats is usually about 150 days and around 50% can be expected to carry twins with kids usually suckling for 4-5 months.
Please remember that special consideration must be given to the VAT aspects of diversification as the new activity may not be treated the same as the existing farm business from a VAT standpoint.
Market
The market for Scottish mohair is large, taking into account the potential for import substitution. However, world prices for mohair are subject to considerable fluctuations, creating an element of risk.
The market for goat meat is growing with the preferences of some cultures for goat meat as opposed to beef and lamb.
Mohair fibre, considered a luxury fibre that is soft and light yet hard wearing, can be marketed through British Mohair Marketing who charge a levy of 50p/kg to cover grading and administration costs.
Physical Requirements
Land: Similar stocking rates to ewes on equivalent grazing (10 does inc followers / ha).
25 does per buck on average (like sheep, goats begin breeding during autumn and eraly winter as declining light conditions trigger the onset of estrous - the presence of a billy can help stimulate this in does).
Buildings: Housing required for winter and field shelter in summer and is especially important at kidding time and after shearing.
Equipment: High standard fencing required. Single offset electric wire on existing fence is advantageous.
Clipping equipment.
Labour: Need more management than sheep (angora goats need to have their feet trimmed to avoid foot problems like foot rot and lameness).
Costs
The following costing information is general and current prices should be sought for budgeting purposes.
Capital Costs
Cost of stock will depend on the quality of the animal but you can expect to pay about £100 for bucks and about £50 for does.
British Mohair Marketing membership £30.
Running Costs
Variable costs for a commercial unit of 100 does could be expected top be in the region of £4,000 - £5,000 on an upgraded system. This would include:
| Concentrates @ £120/t | £2,200 |
| Vet & med (can be much higher) | £600 |
| Forage |
£800 |
| Miscellaneous (including £1.50 - 2.00 shearing / head) | £950 |
| British Mohair Marketing levy | £0.50/kg |
Returns
Example of the returns from angora are given below. When calculating your expected returns please remember that each doe shall on average produce 1.4 kids. Moreover, as the market fluctuates considerably it is prudent to check the most up-to-date prices from British Mohair Marketing.
Fibre yields and pricess:
| Goat Age | Yield (kg) | Fibre Price (£/kg) | Value of clip/annum (£) |
| Kids | ~3.5 | 5.50 | 19.25 |
| Young | ~5 | 3.25 |
16.25 |
| Adult | ~6 | 1.65 | 9.90 |
On average a breeding doe can be expected to rear 1.42 kids per annum.
Goats sold for meat could be expected to fetch £20.
Many producers add value to the clip by processing and utilising the fibre themselves.
Constraints
Marketing: World price fluctuations.
DEFRA's Code of Recommendation for Welfare of GoatsFibre quality: High levels of kemp in the fleece reduce the value/kg of the fibre.
Fibre price/kg inversely proportional to fibre diameter, which increases with age.
Capital: Initial cost of stock.
Training
No information available
Grants
Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.
Further Information
Useful Links
British Angora Goat Society - contacts for the Scottish branches of the society can be found in the contacts section.
British Mohair Marketing , c/o British Angora Goat Society.
British Goat Society - For description of the angora breed
Corrymoor Mohair - example of a farm with an Angora herd
Crookabeck Angoras - example of a farm with an Angora herd
Capricorn Mohair - example of a farm with an Angora herd
Publications
Details on the care of Angoras can be found in leaflets available from the British Angora Goat Society office.
Mohair Australia's Beginners Pack - where a variety of information sheets about becoming establlished can be viewed. Although targeted at Australian producers much of the technical information remains the same in the UK. Title include: Overview for mohair farming, Establishing a Flock, Clip Preparation, Management, Clip Quality, Breeding Angoras, Basic Husbandry.