Rare and Wonderful Cashmere Goats

We are expecting several cute kids this spring, so if you are interested in having one or more reserved for you, let us know soon. We also will have a few mamma/baby combos available.

In the meantime, we do have a young white buck, some pregnant does, and a few young whethers available for sale now. All are white or badger colored, both of which produce cream-colored cashmere fiber.  Prices range from $350 to $700.

Background and Characteristics

American Cashmere Goats:

• Are smart, gentle, and personable.

• Produce soft, luxurious cashmere fiber.

• Love to eat wild rose, poison ivy, bramble, honeysuckle, and other weeds.

History

In the 1970s, a program began to develop goats that would produce cashmere in our climate. Hardy feral goats from Australia were crossed with gentle Spanish meat goats living in the American southwest. Years of selective breeding resulted in American Cashmere Goats, a uniquely sturdy, friendly, and productive line that is rare and hard to find in the U.S.

Cashmere Fiber

Cashmere goats start growing a new undercoat of cashmere fiber each summer, and by winter they look like four-legged puffballs. The cashmere fiber starts to loosen and shed in early spring when we comb it out.

Our goats are silver (white), badger (like an antelope), and black, and their cashmere fiber is cream, light brown, and chocolate brown.

Personality

Cashmere Goats are remarkably intelligent, friendly, and easy going. They get along well with other animals, children, and each other and never "butt" people with their beautiful horns. The kids -- born as singles, twins, or occasionally triplets -- are unbelievably cute, affectionate, and playful. Their normal lifespan is about 15 years.

Diet

Although Cashmere Goats prefer to eat weeds and brush, they also like pasture plants and hay. In the field, they tend to eat different plants than horses or cattle and really help keep the weeds down. They truly are "Weed Whackers With Personality."

Goats are ruminants that digest their food in stages and don't eat much for their size. Their droppings have little to no smell and make excellent fertilizer.

Grain-based goat feed is only needed when females are pregnant or nursing and when the kids are young.

Additional Information

You can learn more about Cashmere Goats by doing an internet search or visiting www.cashmeregoatassociation.org.