Plane of nutrition and the timing of the moult in cashmere goats

Abstract

Cashmere growth is seasonal with the majority of fibres entering a resting phase (telogen) in the winter prior to shedding in the spring. Daylength appears to be the main cue for shedding, operating primarily through prolactin (Lincoln, 1990 ; Dicks et al., 1994), but there is evidence that nutrition may influence the timing of the moult in a range of species (Ling, 1970). Yeates (1958) demonstrated a nutritional effect on the moulting of the coat in beef cattle with high levels of nutrition advancing the moult and regrowth of the replacement coat and while it has been suggested that nutrition may affect the moult in goats (McDonald et al., 1987; Ryder, 1966), there is as yet no published evidence. Shearing prior to moulting is one of the methods of harvesting cashmere and may itself have a profound influence on the moulting of the stubble and subsequent regrowth. Wool growth may be reduced locally in response to cooling of the skin, but shearing may also increase wool production when associated with increases in voluntary food intake (Bottomley,1979). An experiment was therefore conducted to examine the effects of nutrition and shearing on the timing of the moult in cashmere goats. This paper reports some preliminary results.