World-class Angora Goats From the Southern Cape

While most Angora producers in the Southern Cape have given up farming these animals, brothers Jasper and Leon van der Westhuizen have achieved exceptional results. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the local environmental conditions and their management techniques.

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Since they started farming Angora goats at Amantis Landgoed in 2014, Jasper and Leon van der Westhuizen have broken the world record for the price of a bale of adult mohair several times, ending 2021 with a bale that fetched an astonishing R620/kg.

Their 400ha farm near Mossel Bay produces an average clip of 26mm, which is the industry standard for young goats.

Jasper says that Angora goats are not a popular choice with farmers in the Southern Cape, as they are difficult to manage, often escaping from their camps. Coming from the Karoo, however, he and Leon were used to farming Angoras, and see these goats as the future of livestock production.

“The demand for renewable and natural fibres is increasing. This is especially the case with fibres like ours, which are produced in an environmentally and ethically responsible manner, as underlined by Responsible Mohair Standard certification. Mohair is also highly versatile, with textile and industrial applications,” he says.

GOOD GENETICS

The Van der Westhuizens ascribe their success with Angora goats to good genetics, sound management practices, and a favourable production environment.

“When we started farming Angoras, we built the herd on a solid foundation by buying the best genetics we could afford from Fred and Billy Colborne, stud breeders in Willowmore. It’s tempting to save money by buying cheap animals, but this will negatively affect your bottom line in the long run, as it can take years to correct problems through selective breeding,” says Jasper.