Cashmere goats produce a soft, fine fiber; however, producers in the United States do not have a genetic selection tool available to improve fiber production traits. Using within-herd pedigree records and genotypes, variance components were estimated for 10 different cashmere traits. In general, traits had moderate to high heritability and repeatability. Correlations between cashmere traits were also estimated. Significant single nucleotide polymorphisms were located near several genes previously associated with fiber production or possibly related biological processes. The results of this study suggest that genetic selection for these fiber characteristics is possible. Development of a genetic selection tool using this study as a framework could help U.S. cashmere producers improve fiber production.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.