LAUSR

Abstract Previous studies have shown that cashmere production (CP) is related to fibre length (FL), mean fibre diameter (MFD) and live body weight (LWT) in Inner Mongolia cashmere goats (IMCGs). However, the correlation magnitudes of these relationships have not been determined to date. The production year, herd, age, birth status, sex, cashmere production, fibre grades, fibre length, mean fibre diameter and live body weight were obtained for IMCGs from yearlings to 5-year-olds. A multilevel mixed model was constructed to discern the impact factors affecting CP. It was concluded that the production year, herd, age, sex, FL, MFD and LWT had highly significant effects on CP (p < .01). Birth status had no influence on CP (p > .05). The restricted maximum likelihood method (REML) was used to estimate the relationship of CP to all impact factors. Positive correlations were observed between CP and other important economic traits. The regression coefficients for FL, MFD and LBW were 26.50 g/cm, 31.67 g/µm and 2.26 g/kg, respectively. The model fit is relatively good, and the adjusted R-squared value is 0.43. Using a similar method, the relationship of CP to these impacting factors within each fleece grade was analysed. The results showed that LWT had no significant effect on CP in superfine and coarse cashmere grades. Additionally, MFD was not related to CP in coarse cashmere. However, FL, MFD and LWB had highly significant effects on CP in all other FD grades. The regression coefficients of cashmere production for other economic traits varied based on fleece grade. Highlights Cashmere production was positively correlated with live body weight for Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats (IMCGs), which can facilitate indirect selection and reduce the cost of measurement. The fibre diameter should be considered to maintain good quality by establishing a nucleus herd, thereby increasing economic income and protecting a variety of resources.