The Rural Voice, 1981-02, Page 15A future in mohair
Angora goats are a rarity but hopefully will make a profit for Frank Saunders and his son Leo.
Leo and Frank Sanders aren't "Kidding" around - they're both converts to raising angora goats for their
mohair.
BY ADRIAN VOS
While there are goats galore in Ontario
today, the long-haired Angora breed is
still a rarity.
But if you visit Frank Sanders, or his
son Leo, they will soon tell you these
goats are profitable animals.
When Sanders sold his farm to his son,
Leo, he bought a 27 -acre hobby farm at
R.R. 4, Brussels, in Huron County.
However, he missed the busy farm life he
had been accustomed to, so when he
heard about an Angora goat -owners co-op
in Sudbury. he decided to investigate.
After exchanging letters and telephone
calls, he made the five -and -a -half hour
trek to Northern Ontario, to visit the old
Burwash penitentiary where the co-op's
goats were kent.
Sanders found six Sudbury -area goat
fanciers started their co-op in September,
1979.
The co-op was designed to help
farmers sell mohair, the wool of Angora
goats. It was formed with the aid of the
Regional Municipality of Sudbury and
Sudbury 2001, a local economic diversi-
fication group.
The plan to develop a local mohair
industry was part of a diversification plan
designed to make the region less reliant
on the mining industry. However, neither
group has maintained an active interest
in the co-op because of a dispute about
operations.
The co-op's start was slow, however,
and a new manager was hired. This man
brought the needed energy to bear and
THE
soon the membership had increased to
more than 60 breeders across Ontario.
Subsequently, Sanders was elected a
co-op director, with special responsibility
for Southern Ontario.
One set -back however, was dissatisfac-
tion with the new manager who was
dismissed in early December.
Nevertheless, Sanders is still confident
mohair production from Angora goats has
a good future.
Since the dismissal of the manager, the
co-op has received an offer to purchase
from a consortium of three. Its spokes-
man is Nick Catari, a local banker.
Two of the co-op's directors are now
auditing the books in preparation for a
possible sale to the consortium. An offer
is expected by mid-February and the
RURAL VOICE/FEBRUARY 1981 PG. 13