Angora goats make stake their claim

A new module for the MLA Going into goats: Profitable producer’s best practice guide (GIG Guide) was launched by the mohair industry at Wee Jasper, NSW, on Tuesday 23 September.

In keeping with Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) commitment to ensure the GIG Guide remains the most up-to-date information source of its type, Mohair Australia Limited, together with mohair industry representatives and the support of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), have recently completed a Mohair production module for inclusion in the GIG Guide. This module, as with the GIG Guide itself, has been designed and written as an introductory guide and reference point for further information about mohair production.

The Mohair production module is now available free of charge from MLA to all individuals who have ordered the GIG Guide and who are listed on the distribution database.

The module is not available as a stand-alone publication as it cross-references other modules within the GIG Guide.

According to Mrs Justine Hall, Industry Liaison and Promotion Officer for Mohair Australia Ltd, the new module “identifies factors to consider in selection of an appropriate property and animals suitable for the your farming enterprises, and the case studies give a realistic report on how to run angoras and produce mohair.”

This is the second topic-specific module to be released since the development of the GIG Guide in 2006 and further important updates, including a module dealing with the preparation of goats for live export, are currently being planned.

The launch was held at Ian Cathle's property “Cooradigbee” and included a range of speakers covering issues such as mohair production and marketing as well as an international perspective from a prominent South African producer.