Considering the goat option

Press, 6 November 1984, Page 38

Considering the goat option

Canterbury sheep farmers could run as many as five million goats alongside their existing sheep flocks and add considerably to their income, according to Mr Warren Caesar, Wrightson N.M.A.’s goat co-ordinator in the Canterbury region. Wrightsons is strongly advising hill-country sheep farmers to consider the goat option, which overcomes many of the topographical and capital constraints of other forms of diversification.

The company will be promoting the goat option to farmers at this week’s Canterbury show. Mr Caesar has brought more than 7000 feral does in the North Island in the last few months on behalf of Canterbury clients and said he has orders for another 3000.

“One of our North Canterbury clients has just brought 1000 goats and now wants 1000 more,” said Mr Caesar.

“The greater Canterbury region has much to gain from the new wave of research indicating the potential for the goat indus-

try in New Zealand. "The goat is a natural extension to our existing sheep industry in that it has the capability to produce two of the world’s rarest natural fibres, mohair and cashmere.

“These two products will strengthen our over-all fibre range and form the basis of a natural fibre industry. The fibre skills and expertise are already in place so we do not have to acquire the knowledge at vast expanse,” Mr Caesar said. He said there was an objective measurement system to determine fibre diameter, yield and colour, so both producer and processor talked the same language in setting the price. “Perhaps the greatest attribute is that both mohair and cashmere enjoy the same kind of status as diamonds and perfumes amongst the world’s affluent,” Mr Caesar said. “Consequently the fanner does not have the marketing problem of creating an awareness and demand for the product.” Wrightson has recently completed a series of seminars around the country to brief company staff and farmers on the goat

industry. “Prejudices against the animal are changing rapidly as farmers begin to recognise the need to adapt to changing world markets, couple with the known graz-

ing patterns of goats and their ability to control weeds. This must enhance the viability of farming operations through diversifying with goats,” said Mr Caesar.