Fiber Goat Breeds: Angora, Cashmere & Pygora

Last updated: March 2026 · 5 min read

Fiber goats produce some of the most valuable natural fibers in the world. Mohair from Angora goats and cashmere from Cashmere goats are luxury materials used in high-end textiles, hand-spinning, and artisan crafts. For the right farm and market, fiber goats can be a profitable niche with dedicated buyers willing to pay premium prices for quality fleece.

Angora Goats (Mohair)

Angora goats produce mohair, a lustrous, durable fiber prized for its sheen, dye absorption, and resilience. They are the most common fiber goat breed in the US, with Texas being the largest mohair-producing state.

Trait	Details
Fiber type	Mohair — lustrous, smooth, strong
Annual yield	8 to 16 lbs per goat (shorn twice yearly)
Fiber diameter	24 to 40 microns (kids finest, increases with age)
Adult doe weight	70 to 110 lbs
Adult buck weight	125 to 185 lbs
Shearing schedule	Twice yearly (spring and fall)
Climate	Prefer dry climates. Vulnerable to cold rain immediately after shearing.

Pros: High fiber volume. Strong market for handspinners and commercial mills. Beautiful animals with flowing locks. Fiber improves with proper management. Dual-purpose — mohair plus meat (Angora crosses with Boer produce good market kids with some fiber).

Cons: Fragile compared to other goats. Very sensitive to cold stress, especially after shearing. Higher nutritional requirements to maintain fiber production. Susceptible to parasites. Kids have high mortality rates without good management. Mohair prices fluctuate significantly with international markets.

Critical care note: Angora goats can die from cold exposure within 24 hours of shearing if the weather turns. Always shear before warm weather is reliable and have shelter ready. Many Angora producers shear only once a year (spring) in colder climates to avoid fall shearing risks.

Cashmere Goats

Cashmere is not a breed but a fiber type. Many goat breeds produce a cashmere undercoat, and "Cashmere goats" in the US are typically selected from Spanish, feral, or crossbred goats for heavy cashmere production.

Trait	Details
Fiber type	Cashmere — extremely soft, fine down undercoat
Annual yield	2 to 8 oz per goat (much less volume than mohair)
Fiber diameter	Under 19 microns (must be under 19 to qualify as cashmere)
Adult doe weight	80 to 130 lbs (varies by base breed)
Harvest method	Combing (preferred) or shearing in late winter
Climate	Cold climates produce more cashmere. Warm climates produce less.

Pros: Cashmere commands extremely high prices ($15 to $35+ per ounce for quality raw fiber). Hardy animals (based on feral/Spanish genetics). Lower maintenance than Angora. Dual-purpose — fiber plus meat. The cashmere undercoat grows naturally in response to cold and short days.

Cons: Very low yield per animal — you need many goats for meaningful production volume. Combing is labor-intensive. Separating cashmere from guard hair adds processing time. Less established US market infrastructure compared to mohair. Quality varies significantly by individual animal.

Pygora Goats

A cross between Pygmy goats and Angora goats, developed specifically as a small fiber goat for hand spinners and small farms. Registered through the Pygora Breeders Association (PBA).

Trait	Details
Fiber types	Three types — A (mohair-like), B (cashmere/mohair blend), C (cashmere-like)
Annual yield	6 to 12 oz per goat (Type A can be higher)
Adult weight	65 to 95 lbs
Harvest method	Shearing, combing, or plucking depending on type
Temperament	Friendly, docile — excellent for small farms and children

Pros: Small size makes them manageable for hobby farms. Produce beautiful fiber for hand spinning. Three fiber types in one breed offer variety. Friendly temperament. Good for farms that want fiber production without the fragility of full Angoras.

Cons: Lower fiber volume than Angoras. Niche market — primarily handspinner community. Not commercially viable at scale. Breed availability is limited in some areas.

Nigora Goats

A cross between Nigerian Dwarf goats and Angora goats. Similar concept to Pygora but using Nigerian Dwarf as the small breed. Produces fiber on a small, manageable frame with the added benefit of Nigerian Dwarf milking genetics.

Pros: Triple-purpose potential — fiber, milk, and small stature. Great for small farms. Friendly temperament. Produces mohair-type or cashmere-type fiber depending on genetics.

Cons: Very niche breed. Small fiber volume. Limited registry and breed infrastructure. Not commercially viable for fiber production alone.

Fiber Goat Economics

Product	Price Range (Raw)	Price Range (Processed)
Kid mohair (fine)	$8 to $15/lb	$20 to $40/lb processed
Adult mohair	$4 to $10/lb	$15 to $25/lb processed
Cashmere	$15 to $35/oz raw	$40 to $80/oz processed
Pygora/Nigora fiber	$10 to $30/oz (handspinner market)	Varies widely

The handspinner and fiber arts market pays significantly more per ounce than commercial fiber markets. Building relationships with local spinning guilds, fiber festivals, and Etsy-type online stores is the most profitable path for small-scale fiber goat farms.

Best approach for beginners: Start with Pygoras if you want a manageable, friendly fiber goat for a small farm. Start with Angoras if you want volume and have a dry climate. Consider Cashmere genetics if you are in a cold climate, want hardy animals, and are willing to put in the labor to harvest and process the fiber.

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