The U.S. sheep industry has been declining in size for many years. Many factors have contributed to the decline of the sheep industry including declining consumption of lamb and mutton, the growth in manmade fiber use, scarcity of labor, and predator losses. In an effort to slow the rate of decline in the U.S. sheep industry, the U.S. Congress passed the Wool Act of 1954. In 1993, Congress passed a three-year phase out of the Wool Act incentive payments with the last payments occurring in 1996. The 2002 Farm Bill included a marketing loan program for wool. The loan rates are set to $0.40 per pound for un-graded wool, $1.00 per pound for graded wool. In recent years exchange rate changes have had a large impact on the industry affecting lamb and wool trade. The U.S. is the second largest producer of mohair and Texas accounts for over 85 percent of the U.S. mohair production. Mohair also received incentive payments through the Wool Act. Mohair payments were also phased out along with the wool incentive payments. Moreover, the 2002 Farm Bill reinstated support for the industry by implementing a loan program with loan rates of $4.20 per pound of mohair. This analysis uses capital stock inventory accounting methodology to model the supply side of the sheep industry. Demand is incorporated using traditional single equations and complete demand system estimation methods. OLS, 2SLS, and 3SLS models are developed and tested for the single equations estimation methods. The OLS model is used to model the impacts of three different levels of loan rates for wool. Also, an OLS mohair model is developed and used to examine the impacts of three different levels of loan rates for mohair. Results indicate that the sheep industry will continue to decline even with the marketing loan program for wool in the 2002 Farm Bill. However, a higher loan rate for wool would reduce the decline rate of the industry. The Angora goat industry will continue to decline in size, but with a higher loan rate for mohair, the number of goats clipped would increase.

The main object of the present investigation has been to establish a titration curve for mohair keratin and to compare it with similar data for wool, to determine whether the differences in physical and chemical properties could be attributed in any way to the acidic and basic character of these fibres. As shown in subsequent discussion such measurements provide extremely useful information regarding the chemical structure of proteins in general, and in the technical fields involving processes such as wool scouring, carbonizing and dyeing. The study has been extended to include certain modified wools, i.e. photochemically damaged, and oxidized keratin. The most successful contribution to the titration data of wool keratin is the work of Steinhardt and Harris and subsequent authors have tended to adopt their procedures without modification. In the present study attempts have been made to obtain a clearer understanding of the fundamental processes. New techniques and analytical methods have been introduced to improve the accuracy of the measurements.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A virtual monopoly has existed in the mohair processing industry for decades. As a result of 25 years of regulated marketing, producers lack marketing experience. This “monopolistic” situation has led to stagnation in production and eventually to alarming decreases world-wide. The aim of this research report is to provide a business plan for a company (Fibre Traders International (Pty) Ltd) that can capitalise on the opportunities in the market for mohair products in order to secure the funding needed to take advantage of these opportunities in a manner which would eventually also empower suppliers and clients. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bokhaar-bedryf gaan reeds vir dekades gebukkend onder ‘n monopolistiese markomgewing binne die eerste vlakke van verwerking. Hierdie situasie is vererger deur produsente se gebrek aan bemarkingservaring asook 25 jaar se beheerde bemarkingsregulasies. Die gevolg was ‘n konstante afname in bokhaarproduksie oor ‘n tydperk van 20 jaar – en die bedryf verkeer tans op die rand van waarskynlik totale uitwissing. Hierdie situasie het Fibre Traders International Pty Ltd (FTI) laat besef dat daar groot geleenthede in die mark ontstaan het vir bokhaarprodukte en die maatskappy het dit ten doel om hierdie geleenthede op sodanige wyse te benut dat produsente en verbruikers uiteindelik ook voordeel daaruit kan trek. Die doel van hierdie besigheidsplan is dat FTI dit kan gebruik om die nodige kapitaal te genereer om hierdie geleenthede te benut.

South Africa is considered the primary producer and most reliable source of high quality clip mohair in the world. The application of molecular technologies to improve mohair quality is relatively new to this industry. The aim of the study was to use a molecular approach to genetically improve South African Angora goats, with emphasis on mohair production. A reference population of Angora goats was firstly established consisting of twelve sire families with half-sib offspring (1067 individuals in total). The genetic variation of this population was evaluated using microsatellite markers and the average gene diversity was found to be above 60%. Ninety four microsatellite markers were then genotyped on the reference population, spanning 23 chromosomes (total length 1352cM) with an average marker interval of 23.0cM. This information was used to improve previously published goat linkage maps. Unmapped microsatellite markers were incorporated and previously published inter-chromosomal rearrangements between the goat and sheep genetic maps were confirmed or rejected. Nine new markers were mapped to the goat genome, and six chromosomes showed rearrangement when compared to the previous goat map. Four previously reported intra-chromosomal rearrangements were shown to be either population specific or mapping errors. Variance components and genetic parameters of mohair traits (FW, FD, CVFD, SDFD, CF, SF and SDA) were estimated; including the fibre diameter profile measured using OFDA technology that has not yet been included in genetic evaluations. Heritability estimates ranged between 0.14 (SDA) and 0.63 (CF). OFDA-measured traits should be considered for inclusion into the national breeding strategy. The reference population was lastly analysed to identify QTL associated with fleece traits. Eighteen putative QTL were identified for seven mohair traits on 13 chromosomes. Three putative QTL were detected for FW on CHI 2, 5 and 24 corresponding with KRT and KAP gene locations. Two QTL associated with mohair FD (on CHI 4 and 24) were detected. QTL contributions to variance ranged between 7.44% (CF) and 19.69% (SDA). The results of this study should form part of an integrated approach where both quantitative and molecular tools are applied for genetic improvement of South African Angora goats. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / PhD / Unrestricted