Effects of non-genetic factors on production traits of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats in China

The effects of age, sex, age of dam, year of production, herd, and type of birth on cashmere weight, fiber diameter, fiber length, body weight at birth, weaning and yearling in goats, were based on 12 years data from an Inner Mongolia Albas cashmere goat stock farm. The year of production had significant influence on cashmere weight, fiber diameter and length, and body weight of yearlings and adult goats. Year had no significant effect on weaning weight. In the yearling, males produced more cashmere and were heavier in body weights at birth, weaning and 1 year of age than the females. Adult males were significantly heavier than adult females in cashmere weight, fiber diameter and length, and body weight. In the yearling, age of dam had a significant effect on cashmere weight, fiber diameter and length, body weights at birth, weaning and 1 year of age. In the adult, age of dam also had a significant effect on fiber diameter and body weight. Dams aged 2–4 years produced offsprings with a higher cashmere production than those at older ages. In the yearling, type of birth had significant effects on body weight at birth, weaning and 1 year of age, and fiber length. The herd-within-year effects were significant for all traits studied whereas sex×year effects were significant for cashmere weight and body weights at birth, weaning and 1 year of age. These results indicate that the estimation of breeding value in a selection scheme for cashmere production would be more precise following adjustment for age structures, age of dam, sex, type of birth, herd and significant interactions.