WHILE cattle and sheep are a mainstay of many country shows, angora goats are a more unusual spectacle.

The goats are a niche market, grown for their soft mohair coats, and judges at the Clifton Show were keen to encourage young competitors in particular to continue exhibiting the animals.

Chief steward Graham Dau said the angora goats had only been back at Clifton for two years, after successful past exhibitions with the stock.

"Some new people and myself have got it up and running again at Clifton," Mr Dau said.

"It's also at Allora and Toowoomba but this is part of the main show circuit.

"Warwick and Oakey High Schools exhibit at the three shows, which is absolutely brilliant to see and it's good to see all the different animals here today."

Aaron Dagg of Warwick State High School exhibited the reserve champion buck while Tayla Lord of Oakey State High School took out champion.

Mr Dau said it was important to keep young people interested in judging and promoting at country shows.

"Our main focus is on the juniors," he said.

"About three quarters of our competitors are juniors to encourage them to be judges and stewards in the show circuit, not just necessarily with goats either.

"We feel little shows are starting to die, and we need to keep Queensland reps going to nationals."

Australia is the largest exporter of goat meat, the most popular meat in the world.

Much like cattle, the goats are judged on their confirmation, but also on the length, lustre and handle of the soft mohair wool.

"Angora mohair is a fashion fibre so you want it to be softer, but it is a niche market," Mr Dau said.

"The average goat produces three times the value in wool as sheep.

"They're similar to sheep (to keep) but they're a bit more work at kidding because, unlike sheep and cattle which have the fat on the outside of their bodies, goats concentrate their fat near their livers so you need to spend a bit of time making sure they're not too cold at kidding."

Judge Sarah Ray said exhibitors were also allowed to judge a line-up of four techniques, an activity aimed at improving the competitors own judging techniques.