Record prices at the final mohair auction of the year have capped off a stellar season for Australian Angora goat producers. The sale, held at Narrandera in south-west New South Wales, offered 35,000 kilograms in 188 bales. All 58 lots were cleared on the day.

The top price was 4,650 cents a kilogram for 24.7 micron Fine Kid Mohair.

Mohair Wool Traders purchased one lot of Fine Adult 32.5 micron mohair for 1,845 cents a kilo, setting an Australian record.

Overall, average prices jumped almost $2 a kilo on the previous auction in August.

Jim Stanley, warehouse manager at the Australian Mohair Marketing Organisation (AMMO), says growers couldn’t have asked for a better season. “Mohair growers in Australia have had just a fantastic 12 months. Top prices have increased, we’ve seen Australian records being broken.”

AMMO director, Norm McCrea runs merino sheep and Angora goats near Wagga Wagga and is surprised more farmers haven’t taken notice of the strong mohair returns.

“A farmer with Angora goats, they use the same shearing shed, the same yards, same drenches. They don’t have to change their infrastructure to come into the goat industry. I’m a wool person myself and comparing the returns I get from wool to mohair, the mohair is way up there.”

Mr McCrea didn’t sell any mohair at this sale, but offered 800 kilograms at the August auction. He says prices for that offering averaged just under $20 a kilogram

Source: ABC Rural