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| Stud Buck Mithrel owned by Goat Knoll |
Cashmere Goats didn't arrive into the United States until
the early 1980's. When the animals arrived from Australia and New Zealand, fifteen test farms were set up. These farms worked
to improve the quality of the cashmere through a lot of hard work and selective breeding. It is because of them that we are
able to enjoy the benefits of a strong and healthy herd of Cashmere Goats.
Cashmere Goats have
two types of fiber. The first is a course outer hair that is called guard hair. The second is the good stuff, a very soft
underdown that is among the most luxurious fibers to be found. This soft underdown is their Winter coat, and it begins to
grow around the Summer solstices. It continues to grow through the Winter solstices and then begins to shed. Come February
we are very busy combing the Cashmere out of the goats, which is about a three week process. The color of Cashmere varies,
but mostly you will find white, gray, tan, brown and the rare black.
After we gather the Cashmere off of the
goats, we then dehair. This is a process where the outer course guard hairs are removed and any unwanted vegetation. It is
then spun into very fine yarn, which we then create elegantly timeless products. You can see these heirlooms by clicking the
Products for sale link to the left.
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| what's in your wallet? |
Our does are bred so they kid in the Spring. Gestation is 150 days. We breed just once a year and look forward to the
many sets of twins skipping about the field. Typically the moms will wean off their kids by themselves, and this happens around
eight to ten weeks of age.
Intelligent and very curious creatures, our herd will bound for the barn
when the wind picks up or with the slightest chance or possibility of rain. They will climb or jump up on top of most anything
available and playing king or queen of the mountain is great entertainment. Goats love attention and will sneak through doors
and gates to chase after you. They like to be held, and when snuggled on their backs with feet in the air, they will fall
asleep right in your arms.
Goats
for Sale
We will have goats available this Spring. Please check back for bloodlines and pricing.
Just one more thing...
We invite you to visit our good friends and mentors, Paul and Linda at Goat Knoll. They also raise
and sell Cashmere Goats and Shetland Sheep.
Goat Knoll has some of the best honey you can buy. Last time I was there, they had a flock of very nervous Turkeys....
it was close to Thanksgiving.
fibergoat.com
