Abstract

The effect of fibre diameter, fibre length and primary follicle density on grain appearance of the skin of Australian bush goats was assessed. Good grain appearance was associated with a high density of primary follicles that produce, on these animals, medullated fibres of a relatively uniform diameter. Fine grained skins are produced by goats of less than approximately 25 kg liveweight. The physical properties of the leather, as measured by tensile strength, elongation and lastometer, were evaluated and found to be comparable to commercial quality goatskins. Nutrition was found to have an effect on skin substance and density and indirectly, through skin area, on grain appearance.