Mohair is where the money is - industry's potential explored at conference

The mohair industry has great potential and needs more people to "give it a go". Photo / Sarah Ivey

With mohair fetching three times more than sheep's wool, mohair producers are keen to attract more people into the industry.

The average price for mohair at 30-32 microns is about $20 a kilogram, and a good goat is doing 2½-3kg every six months.

About 35 producers attended the Mohair Producers New Zealand conference in Ashburton this month.

Chairman of the organisation Lynne Milne and husband Richard run 220 angoras and up to 400 cattle on their Patea farm.

Mrs Milne sees great potential in the industry, especially for premium mohair, if more people can be persuaded to give it a go.

Ninety percent of the mohair produced in New Zealand is exported through two privately owned warehouses. Producers' output is pooled and sorted into lines at buying events.

''I can't remember the last pool where the mohair wasn't all sold. It's been a long, long time,'' Mrs Milne said.

Dr Mark Ferguson, a geneticist with New Zealand Merino Company, spoke at the conference about genetics and how feed and nutrition affect the quality of mohair.

He urged producers to breed up and feed well, to maximise returns.