Luxury-fibre ready for the next stage after project re-establishes cashmere industry
After three years of pioneering work, New Zealand Cashmere have successfully completed the Sustainably Beautiful Cashmere programme, re-establishing a premium cashmere fibre industry in Aotearoa. With 50 farms now raising cashmere goats and a new state-of-the-art fibre processing facility commissioned, the foundation is set for long-term market growth. As on-farm support transitions to a market-focused phase, New Zealand Cashmere continues to offer resources, tools, and guaranteed contracts to support growers in producing world-class fibre.
Discover why Farmers are Turning to Cashmere Goats in the Face of Challenging Times
In the face of a challenging agricultural season and forecasted drop in farm profitability, New Zealand farmers are turning to cashmere goats to diversify their revenue streams, as these adaptable animals require minimal labour and have a low impact on existing farming systems. These goats also serve as a natural solution for biological weed control. They offer valuable pasture quality management while exhibiting impressive drought tolerance, making them a crucial asset in the agricultural toolkit during uncertain times.
Feral goats can be a cashmere goldmine
Farming section of Stuff: Farmers who have feral goats on their farm could be sitting on a cashmere gold mine.
Director of newly founded New Zealand Cashmere Andy May said the cashmere industry crashed in the 1980’s to 1990’s, partly because imported goat genetics were not fit for local conditions.
Belief NZ could be cashmere world leader
Inspecting cashmere fibre during a recent conference in Wellington are (from left) SGS production manager Ioasa Kosena, Sharl Liebergreen (AbacusBio), and growers Caroline and Glen Prebble, Brian Hutchings and David Hutchings.
Global Demand for High-Value Cashmere Sees Rebirth of Industry
A three-year ultra-premium fibre project is calling for farmers who are keen to ‘feel the potential’ of the $2B global cashmere fibre industry…