Useful Information learned along the way.

This research project is funded in part by

Gestation Period for Shedded Goats

While the following results apply strictly to "Karakan" Cashmere Goats under the project feed regime, they do provide a useful guide to the Gestation Period in Australian Cashmere Goats.   All Does were mated and gave birth under strictly controlled conditions.

in the 1998 spring kidding program.   Range 145 - 153 days.

Traditional growth patterns not always valid.

The traditionally accepted pattern of late summer/autumn cashmere growth followed by shedding at the end of winter and a period of growth stasis in the spring and early summer, is not valid for many of the project animals. The project has identified a wide variety of growth patterns.

Two of the patterns are shown in the following graphs. Z094 grows cashmere at a steady rate of about 10 mm per month. The group A animals on the other hand showed a varied but more traditional pattern. March/April Cashmere growth rates for this group were a surprising 1mm/day.

This and that - Makes a Fleece

On close examination the Guard Hair coat would seem to be made up of independently inherited segments. The britch, the mane, the neck and mid-side can be seen as unitary segments. The mane itself seems to be made up of two, perhaps three components. At this point these seem to be capable of independent inheritance. This will be an ongoing story.

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