A CHILDHOOD with goats led mohair breeder Lynne Carter to embark on a 28-year quest to improve Angora genetics.
Running Lynndon Grove stud at Moonta with her husband Don, she is dedicated to enhancing the quality of the fleece they produce.
Ms Carter started breeding commercially at Esperance, WA, returning to SA in 1987 with a small herd.
In 1992, after eight years in a quarantine station at Keith, Texan genetics were released.
"We were lucky enough to be able to buy a nucleus stud group," Mrs Carter said.
In 1996, they moved to Moonta with 10 does, eight kids and 10 yearling does. They have built this to about 176 kids.
Genetics is Ms Carter's passion.
"I have been lucky enough to work with some very knowledgeable breeders," she said.
Lynndon Grove also has a partnership with Cedar Grange at Frances, in the South East, using the last of the South African genetics imported to Australia.
"We're working closely to improve the quality of mohair," Mrs Carter said.
"We're targeting a niche weaving-type market that will be able to make women's apparel.
"There are only a few mohair growers in Australia able to grow this type of mohair and Lynndon Grove is one of them.
"I enjoy working with mohair and looking at genetics to make sure we get quality, rather than quantity."
Mrs Carter said conventional mohair was making good money. Kid mohair could sell for more than $40 a fleece - based on the latest sale at the end of August.
But she said the price was between 15 per cent and 20pc higher than the market average for the Carters' weaving type.
Five years work on, genetic improvements have enabled Lynndon Grove to sell directly to an Italian manufacturer.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 18, 2014 issue.