Investment

Investment capital and labor input requirements necessary to start a herd of Angora goats can be substantial. Producers must have adequate facilities to ensure protection from the elements for a period of time after shearing and during lambing. Sufficient labor during lambing is an important consideration, to ensure survivability of the kid crop.

Mature goats will require about 20 square feet of indoor housing and 25 square feet of open lot during the winter and inclement weather. Angora goats can be produced in total confinement, but high establishment costs usually are prohibitive. Feeding and handling facility requirements for goats are similar
to those required for sheep, if the goats' horns are removed.

Investment in the breeding herd is similar to the investment required for sheep. Prices for nannies will range from $75 to $150. Billies will range from $300 to $1,000, depending on performance records. Age, mohair quality, and whether the animal is registered all affect the price of breeding stock. No organized market system exists for cull animals, and the carcass quality of Angora goats is very poor.

Operating expenses for Angora goats are generally less than for sheep because goats are smaller and eat less feed. Maximizing grazing on marginal pasture land and reducing the quantities of mechanically harvested feedstuffs helps keep feed costs to a minimum.

Management

Good quality breeding stock is necessary to maintain a profitable Angora goat herd. While environment plays an important role in the quantity of mohair produced, genetics is the single most important factor determining quality. The price discounts for poor quality mohair are substantial. There are limited supplies of breeding stock in Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota, and a much greater supply in the southwestern United States.

Breeding stock should be kept in above-average condition throughout the year. If condition seems to be declining, then grains should be added to the diet to increase the energy content of the ration. Research has shown that nannies maintained in above-average condition can attain a kid crop of 150 percent. Nannies not in good condition produce much less mohair and have a very low reproductive rate. Kids should be creep-fed their first year to maximize growth and mohair production. Both sexes of Angora goats have horns. Many managers suggest they be removed, since this reduces the amount of bunk space necessary and decreases damage to fences. Angoras have tough hooves which require trimming twice a year.

Harvesting mohair

Shearing mature goats is usually done on a six-month schedule. Shearing in mid-September allows enough time for hair regrowth before the weather turns cold. Shearing the following March, before kidding, provides a good environment for the newborn kids. It is easier for the kids to find the nannie's udder, and warmth from the nannie is more easily transferred to the kid. The shearing areas should be clean so that debris and manure do not contaminate the mohair. The mohair should be bagged immediately after shearing. Adult mohair should be kept separate from younger goat mohair since younger goat mohair is much more valuable and will command a higher price.