Background: Low annual cashmere down production per head is a major constraint to profitable Cashmere production. It is noted as a key R&D Issue to be addressed under Objective Four, RIRDC Rare Natural Fibres R&D Plan 1998-2003. While the Australian production average is similar to that of other countries, some very high production animals do exist in the Australian Herd.

Analysis of data in the Project KKN Breeding program, has identified a number of very high performing phenotypes for fleece production. Further analysis suggests there may be, two or more, distinct fleece production patterns in high producing animals and that a number of individually inherited components contribute to overall performance. The research program investigates the possibility, that taken individually, these contributory components may have a fairly simple form of genetic inheritance.Benefits: An understanding of the basis of inherited down production, would provide a catalyst for the economic development of the primitive, relatively unselected, Cashmere gene pool in Australia.

	Photo 1: Mid-line shearing to show cashmere length

Photo 2: Shows the extreme length and very high yield of some project animals. The animals pictured have a mean down fibre diameter of around 16.8 um.

We plan to use this page to tell you about the findings of our Research Program. So please call in from time to time!

Learn more about RIRDC Programs

Read more about Project KKN:

• A new production approach.