At the farm
Our history
We’ve always had wool’s passion...We have raised Angora goats for 25 years. As shearers, specializing in sheep wool, Denis was twice champion sheep shearer of France, this made it possible for us to travel the world : Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, to perfect our knowledge of the production of this noble fibre : mohair. Our farm is in South West France, in the department of the Gironde. The commune of Aillas where we raise a herd of 170 Angora goats of South Africain and Texan origin.
L'animal
Originating in the province of Ankara in Turkey, from where it inherited it’s name the Angora goat has aclimatised itself all over the world.There are older records witch lead us to think that it could be descended from the Himalayas where its cousin the Cachemire goats lives. They prefer dry grounds, fearing neither could nor heat, being well insulated by their fleeces. Angora goats are bred only for their wavy, curly, glossy fleeces : mohair. It’s not a dairy goat, but if we must do without cheese, it offers on the the other hand, silky white cloak of precious fibre with an exceptionnal touch.
Shearing
Shearing is strenuous for the shearer and stressing for the animal. It takes eight to ten minutes to shear an angora goat of texan origin (5 to 6 minutes for a goat of South Africain origin). During shearing the animal is turned in various positions, so that it is correctly restrained and does not escape. We use a method which was developed in New Zealand to improve effectiveness and also for the comfort of the animal which is not attached. The animal feels confident in the expert hands of the shearer.
Genetic improvement makes it possible to reach weights of fleece of about 5 to 6 kg per goats per year, shearing every six months, in February-March and August-September. We use electric shears with a comb adapted to avoid wounds. For the spring shearing the most suitable comb has a shoe which leaves more mohair on the animal to protect it from the fresh February morning.
Sorting
After shearing the fleeces are rigorously sorted by eye and touch and divided into separate loads according to the fineness of the staples. After laboratory tests are carried out to confirm our sorting, the transformation can begin. All our care will be concentrated on the preparation of these exceptional fleeces in order to emphasize their natural qualities.
