Gaizhou Cashmere Goats

Gaizhou Cashmere Goats

　　The specialty cashmere goats of Gaizhou have white cashmere. The natural length of the cashmere is 6.5 cm, and when stretched, it measures 7.9–11.47 cm. The cashmere yield rate is 66.57%–75%. These goats also boast high productivity, stable genetic traits, and strong adaptability. In 1959, through the livestock (poultry) breed survey conducted by Liaoning Province, they were designated as an outstanding local breed within the province, initially called 'Dingtun Cashmere Goats' and later renamed 'Gaiping Cashmere Goats.' On October 4, 1964, the People's Government (Committee) of Liaoning Province approved the 'Investigation Report on Gaiping Cashmere Goats' submitted by the provincial Department of Agriculture and instructed the Gaizhou Agricultural Bureau to establish a cashmere goat breeding station to focus on the selective breeding of these goats. In 1980, the Ministry of Agriculture of China invested 300,000 yuan to build the Liaoning Gaizhou Cashmere Goat Breeding Farm. The goats were then renamed 'Liaoning Cashmere Goats.' This achievement won the Second Prize from the Ministry of Agriculture of China and the Third Prize for National Scientific and Technological Progress.

　　　 In 1986, the Ministry of Agriculture of China approved Gaizhou City as a national sheep-raising base county. Over the years, Gaizhou has established 30 core herds of cashmere goats, with a total population reaching 167,000. The annual cashmere production amounts to 12–15 tons. The city has supplied 70,000 breeding goats to 221 counties (banners) across 22 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including Beijing and Xinjiang, playing a significant role in improving cashmere goat breeds elsewhere. In 1988 and 1989, Gaizhou was awarded the title of 'National Advanced Sheep-Raising Base County' for two consecutive years.