‘Fantastic’ growth still possible in goat industry

Press, 29 January 1988, Page 13

‘Fantastic’ growth still possible in goat industry

Contrary to popular belief the goat industry had not collapsed; prices had merely dropped to a more realistic level, according to Mr Ross Moorhouse, an agricultural consultant with the M.A.F. at Rang!ora. Mr Moorhouse said New Zealand’s future in the speciality goat fibre world markets looked positive provided the right direction was established now. “The footprint for something really good is on the ground and the skills and technology of New Zealand producers is going to make us significant in the world market,” he said. He believed New Zealand’s fledging goat industry had suffered under high prices and optimistic predictions which had created a surplus of stock. "The growth of the goat fibre industry in New Zealand is fantastic. It has doubled every year for the last six years and I see no reason not to expect it to double again by the end of this year.” But the emphasis must shift from expanding stock numbers to concentrating on quality, kempfree lines, he added. He said that a process of education and re-edu-cation was necessary also. Producers who had been making optimistic predictions about New Zealand goats producing 200 g of cashmere down annually were dreaming, he said. Feral goats produce between 50 and 60g of

cashmere down annually, but with selective breeding up to IOOg was possible. If New Zealand goats began producing 200 g annually the scarcity of cashmere down would be lost and the price would tumble, he added. The future potential of New Zealand cashgora also appeared significant, he said. Australia and New Zealand are the only countries to produce the “Anti.podean” cashgora — a down fibre like cashmere but with the distinctive sheen. New Zealand’s premium cashgora A line is very fine, under 18.5 microns, and far closer to the super-fine cashmere than the traditional coarser cashgora accepted world-wide. Mr Moorhouse said the advantage of producing the top quality cashgora rather than cashmere was that the larger micron

meant more bulk off each goat and an over-all increase in profits. The long-term market for cashgore was in garments. Unlike cashmere, cashgora’s staple is long enough to be used in fine fabrics. But cashgora was virtually an unknown product to consumers and its careful marketing was essential. He said that Mr John Woodward, the production development and market manager for the MohairCashmere Warehouse Company, Ltd, had suggested that a five cent levy a kilogram of cashgora should be made. The levy would be added to processors’ promotion budgets with the specific purpose of creating consumer demand for cashgora. If the producers contributed financially then it would protect their interests and guarantee some control over the marketing. Mr Moorhouse said although the suggestion was sensible he did not expect all producers to be enthusiastic about it. Similarly, the attempts by the cashgora steering committee to unify the goat fibre associations — Mohair Producers’ Association (MOPANZ) and Cashmere Producers’ Association (CAPRONZ) — had also been received coolly. The steering committee was born of a workshop organised by MOPANZ in September and its purpose was to encourage

unity and establish an identity for cashgora. Mr Moorhouse said although unity into one New Zealand goat fibre association, with subgroups identifying specifically with mohair, cashmere and cashgora producers had not yet been achieved, some progress had been made. He added that gaining the marketing authority to establish a statutory control over the quality standards, particularly of export cashgora was also considered important. “We need a statute to guarantee that the present recognised quality standard of cashgora will not be jeopardised.” The arrival of new potential producers into the industry was also exciting, he said. Previously most New Zealand producers were either small farmers or urban investors. Now, considerable numbers of traditional farmers were showing interest as the prices for stock became realistic. Traditional farmers were considering goats not only as a diversification and weed controllers but also because the goat industry could act independently of other tratitional products, such as wool. He said, however, that new producers should seek advice on the direction of the industry before making breeding commitments to avoid making the mistakes other producers had made, in the past.