NorthWest Cashmere Association: 2009 Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival

25.8.09

2009 Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival

Belt Buckle Awarded to the Grand Champion Cashmere Doe: Liberty Pear
Owned and shown by Marie Nielsen, Liberty Farm Cashmere, Yakima Washington
Judge: Linda Pfeiffer, Carnation Washingotn

Champion Junior Buck:GK Raider #G40, Owned and shown by Paul Johnson, Goat Knoll Farm, Dallas Oregon
Reserve Chamion Junior Buck: Liberty Silver, owned and shown by Mickey Nielsen, Liberty Farm, Yakima Washington

Grand Champion Doe: Liberty Pear, owned and shown by Marie Nielsen, Liberty Farm Cashmere, Yakima Washington
Reserve Champion Doe: Sun-Up Strawberry, owned and shown by Lillian Mayer, Sun-Up Farm, Colton Oregon

Champion Wether: Liberty Mike shown and owned by Marie Nielsen, Liberty Farm Cashmere, Yakima Washington
Reserve Champion Wether: FXMF Junior, shown and owned by Carol Spencer, Foxmoor Farm, Silverton Oregon

Best Fleece in show: Sun-Up Poppy,owned and shown by Lillian Mayer, Sun-Up Farm, Colton Oregon

Northwest Cashmere Association

is organized for the purpose of promoting the common interests of Cashmere goat producers in the United States and Canada. Its goals are to improve business conditions for growers, by collecting and disseminating information to members, by educating the public about cashmere goats and the industry, by pursuing other activities beneficial to the interests of Cashmere goat producers. In addition this association seeks to collaborate with similar non-profit organizations to conduct and encourage research and development to improve cashmere fiber and animal health among cashmere goats and to have and exercise all powers and authority customarily and legally granted to non-profit organizations under Section 501(c)(6) of the internal Revenue Code and under the laws of the State of Oregon. Incorporated 01/23/1997

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to those who support the goals and purposes of this Association, pays annual dues and meets all the other requirements as outlined in the bylaws.
VOTING MEMBERSHIPS shall be entitled to full voice and vote at any meeting and by written ballot or e-mail ballot, concerning any and all business of the Association and may serve as officers and directors on the Board. Members will receive the NWCA Quarterly by e-mail, hard copy mailing is by special request only. These memberships will have their information on the printed membership rolls, on the web-site, and any and all handouts at events. A voting membership can place their business card add in each newsletter, and a one time ¼ page farm add each year in the NWCA Quarterly.
Voting Membership’s are required to vote in all matters to come to vote in this Association. Failure to vote will disallow voting membership in the forthcoming year. One annual due shall entitle one vote.
Any farm with voting membership may be represented by owners of the farm, family members or employees of a farm. One annual due shall entitle one vote
SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP can not vote on any matters that come to vote in this Association or serve as officers and directors on the Board. Supporting Memberships will receive the NWCA Quarterly by e-mail, hard copy mailing is by special request only. Supporting memberships will have their information on the printed membership rolls, on the web-site, and any and all handouts at events.

2011 MEMBERSHIP

California
Valerie Byrne
Cashmere Kids
Castro Valley, CA
kazcor@huges.net

Barbara and Ron Fiorica
Caprette Cashmere
Wilton, CA
rbfiorica@frontiernet.net

Colorado
Ann Bertschy
Goatique
Gunnison, CO
goatique@frontier.net

Fred and Susanne Roth
Jabberwocky Farm
Guffey, CO
redoiseau@Wildblue.net
http://www.jabberwockyfarm.com/

Elizabeth Scott
Clair de Lune
Larkspur, CO
Ea.scott@tagoo.com

Maine
Yvonne Taylor
Black Locust Farm
Washington, ME
Yvonne@blacklocust.com
http://www.blacklocust.com/

New York
Pam Haendle
Hermit Pond Farm
W. Edmeston, NY
Pamela.Haendle@bnymellon.com

Oregon
Patricia Almond
Aboriginal Fibre and Roman’s Ravine
Mulino, OR
razberi@teleport.com

Larry & Diana Blair
Fernhill Farm
Dallas, OR
dianatormey@msn.com

Paul Johnson & Linda Fox
Goat Knoll
Dallas, OR
Lindafox@fibergoat.com
http://www.wvi.com/~goatknol/index.html

Joseph and Diana Walker
Walker Forest and Farm
Mill City, OR
dijoe@wvi.com

Pennsylvania
Barry & Linda Singley
Bearlin Acres
Shippensburg PA
bearlin@pa.net
http://www.bearlinacres.com/

Tennessee
Beth Bohnert
Mountain Hollow Farm
Tazewell, TN
info@mtnhollow.com
http://www.mtnhollow.com/

Vermont
Norma Bromley
Boreas Farm
Nework, VT
Boreas25@localnet.com

Shirley Richardson
Tannery Farm Cashmeres
Danville, VT
tanneryfarm@gmail.com

Virginia
Jane McKinney
Spring Gate Farm
Barbaursville, VA
springgatefarm@gmail.com
http://www.springgatefarm.com/

Chuck and Lisa Vailes
Silver Branch Farm Inc.
Staunton VA
chuck@vailes.com
http://www.silverbranchfarm.com/

Washington
Daryl and Jayne Deardorff
ME2Custom Fiber Processing
Colville, WA
jayne@me2farm.com
http://www.me2farm.com/

Moon and Diana Mullins
Still Waters Cashmere
Twisp, WA
dmullins@methow.com

Cliff and Mickey Nielsen
Liberty Farm Cashmere
Naches, WA
mnielsen7@aol.com
http://libertyfarmcashmeregoats.blogspot.com/2008/05/liberty-farm.html
http://cashmeregoatregistry.blogspot.com/

Delia Rasmussen
Ravenwood
Spokane WA
wldwd6@hughes.net
http://www.ravenwoodcashmereandsoaps.com/

Janice Whitfield
Valley View Farm
Cheney WA
Janice@valley-view-farm.com
http://www.valley-view-farm.com/

Wyoming
Brenda Winter
Laramie, Wy
Naturesnookandcranny@yahoo.com

HISTORY OF CASHMERE GOATS

Cashmere goats are a hardy multipurpose goat that has been raised for centuries in other countries.The soft undercoat of these goats is prized for its warmth and softness.
In the early 1970's, researchers began investigating the undercoat produced by American goats. They found that many goats did produce a cashmere type undercoat, but not enough to make it economically viable.
Because there was potential for production of Cashmere in North America animals have been imported from Australia and New Zealand to establish herds here, either as pure import flocks, or crossed with selected domestic goats. The Cashmere goat industry in North America is in its infancy, but has tremendous potential for growth.

WHAT IS CASHMERE?

The Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute defines cashmere as:

* The fine (dehaired) undercoat fibers produced by a Cashmere goat (Capra hircus laniger).
* The fiber is generally non-medullated and has a mean maximum diameter of 19 microns. The co-efficient of variation around the mean shall not exceed 24%.
* There can be no more than 3% (by weight) of cashmere fibers over 30 microns. (Reference IWTO Test Method 8-89).

The U.S. Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939, as amended, (U.S.C. 15 Section 68b(a)(6)) defines cashmere as:

1. (A) the fine (dehaired) undercoat fibers produced by a cashmere goat (capra hircus laniger);
2. (B) the average diameter of the fiber of such wool product not exceeding 19 microns; and
3. (C) containing not more than 3 percent (by weight) of cashmere fibers with average diameters that exceed 30 microns. The average fiber diameter may be subject to a coefficient of variation around the mean that shall not exceed 24 percent.

The Cashmere Goat Registry defines the Style/Crimp/Curvature of Cashmere as:

Individual fibers must exhibit three dimensional, irregular crimp entire length, with tested curvatures greater than 45 deg./mm. Good style has irregular crimp of relatively small magnitude and high frequency that does not lie in two dimensions but rather changes directions at irregular intervals along the length of individual fibers. Straight fibers or fibers containing bold (mohair-like) or two dimensional staple crimp (like very fine wool) are considered to have poor style. (C.J. Lupton, F.A. Pfeiffer, and A.R. Dooling report 1999 Texas A&M Research)

WHAT DO I LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING A CASHMERE GOAT?

*Appearance
American Cashmere goats are judged 50% fiber 50% body.
Stand back and get a good look at the overall animal.
Spots… This is undesirable in Cashmere goats.
Cashmere fiber that grows from head to tail is desired
Uniform balanced body, a long, deep and wide body is desirable.
Standing square on their legs and up on the toe of their hoof.

* Current Health Condition and Health Records
Look for clear bright eyes, no runny nose, limping or signs of diarreah.
Teeth that are aligned with the gum for good chewing are desired.
Good udder attachments on does, good testicular size and attachment on bucks.
Two good teats on does and bucks is desired.
Not over weight or under weight
* Current Fleece Evaluation and Records of Fleece Produced
Ask to see fleece test results with the goat’s name/number, date of birth and date tested.
Fiber should be tested from a shorn 2x2 inch sample from the side of the goat.
American Cashmere fiber must be under 18 microns.
CV must not exceed 24%
Fiber must be No less than 1.25” after harvesting.
Tested curvatures must be greater than 45 deg./mm.
Cashmere has little to no luster.
A shorn fleece average yield is 25% a combed fleece average is 50%
Weigh the harvested fleece, multiply that weight by the estimated Yield in %.
6 ounces and over High Yield
4 - 5.5 ounces Medium Yield
3.5 – 2 ounces Low Yield
Less than 2 ounces Unacceptable Yield
More weight the better, keeping micron and curvature within requirements.

* Records of Pedigree and Prodigy
The more ancestors with cashmere herd codes or herd names on the pedigree the better.
Twins and triples are better than singles.

As in all livestock sales educate yourself and know what you are looking for before purchases.

HOW DO I HARVEST THE CASHMERE?

* Cashmere is shed once each year it may be combed as it sheds or shorn before it sheds.
* A dog grooming rake maybe used to comb.
* Sheep shears with a 20 tooth goat comb is use to shear.
* Harvesting a fleece for the best results requires understand of how the fleece grows.
* The premium fleece is the blanket area
* Most, but not all cashmere goats grow coarser fiber on their necks,
* Underside of the belly, lower front and hind legs tends to be shorter and coarser
* Top line and neck can hold heavy vegetation.
* The goal is to harvest as much of your goats fiber without down grading the whole fleece with variable lengths, micron or contaminations.