Raising yaks for meat is a rewarding endeavor. The meat is very delicious, clean, satiating and versatile, and wonderful as a family homestead meat, or for larger operations. However, there are some important things to consider when getting into raising yaks for meat. If you are looking to build a meat herd, whether it be for home use or a larger venture, genetics, productivity and build are equally as important as temperament. You may not need them to be social and human oriented, but they need to be easy to work, of sound mind and safe to handle. Color is of less importance. Good meat producing animals are large framed, or produce large bodied offspring with good growth rates and have good musculature on their forequarter and hind end. That generally means good conformation and overall excellent, sound animals. While these are not necessarily show quality yaks, they must have good genetics for size, productivity and soundness. Carcass weights are determined by both feed quality and the quality of the genetics. It may seem counterintuitive to pay more for animals being raised for meat, but our best stock used for producing good meat animals are, in our opinion, our best overall yaks.

Yak Produce both an outer and inner fiber; yak fiber has multiple uses and is highly prized. There are three types of yak fiber. The outer fiber (79-90 microns) has historical and contemporary uses in the Tibetan Plateau for making strong tents. The mid length fiber (20-50 microns) is used to make outerwear, ropes, rugs, and blankets. The final inner layer is down (16-20 microns). Similar to cashmere, it has an increasing following in the fashion industry, being recognized for its softness, warmth, and luxury appeal. It is warmer than merino wool and does not contain lanolin like sheep’s wool.

The quality of yak fiber can vary greatly from one yak to the next. Quality depends on genetics, nutrition and environment. Different bloodlines and phenotypes yield very different quantity and quality of fiber for collection in the Spring months. Fiber quality and production also changes over the lifetime of the animal. As they mature, they develop an increasing layer of fat on the exterior of their body, helping maintain body temperature and reducing the need for heavy fiber production.

A longitudinal study is under way to examine this change in individual animals, which should yield interesting results. Poor nutrition, health issues or warm winters can also affect fiber production. In general, the best and highest quality down is harvested from the first shed of baby yak calves, and into their second shed as yearlings. After this point, it is mainly determined by their individual production levels and the factors listed above. Steers tend to have higher fiber production than bulls due to their lack of hormones, and can make excellent fiber pets over the long term.

Color

There are three main color patterns in the US, royal, solid and trim. Royal is a black and white piebald pattern. This typically occurs with the majority of black on the shoulders, although randomized patterns exist. A “blanket -back” royal is one on which the black color extends the length of the body, often with white tail, legs, neck and face markings. Solids are either Native Black, with a grey nose and black to brown coat or Imperial, with a black nose and generally darker black coat. Trims are either Native black or Imperial, with a white star or stripe on the head, and potentially white on the tail and feet. Other colors in the US are white and golden. These color genetics have been a somewhat controversial topic in the yak breeding community over the years. The white color is more of a rich cream compared with the white on the coat of a royal. These were historically created by adding Charolais cattle into the yak gene pool. Many of the current examples of white yak have been responsibly bred to now have a very low level of cattle introgression and qualify as yak by both registries in the US. Goldens range in tones from tan to rich brown. Similarly, the golden color, which is varying shades of brown to tan, have been registered early on in the formation of the foundation book in the US, prior to more detailed genetic testing that is now available. It will be fascinating to see the origin of these color traits as scientific advancement gives us more data.

In our breeding program, we believe that color genetics are of secondary importance to the overall soundness of the animal, including temperament, conformation, health, genetic background and resilience. We love all the colors and our breeding program emphasizes genetic diversity and values these traits above all else.

http://www.iyak.org/yak-fiber.html

Are yaks kind of like Buffalo?

Yaks and Bison are two different species. Bison have the Latin name Bison bison (amazing, really) and yaks are Bos grunniens. Bison are native to North America and are a historically wild animal, and yaks are from Asia. While yaks are a primitive species, they are domesticated and much easier to raise than bison. They are smaller, more efficient in their rumen and lighter on the land, lending themselves well to small farms and ranches. Bison traditionally roam on millions of acres and have a great value to the ecology of the Great Plains, but can be challenging to raise in smaller holdings. Read more about yaks HERE (link)

Can you raise yaks like cattle?

Many ranchers raise both yaks and cattle, and run them similarly. Yaks are smarter and faster than cattle, but they can be managed with similar techniques and in the same operations as cattle.

How do you tell them apart?

People who visit our herd often wonder how we tell them apart from one another. There are always a few that look similar, but there are key differences and once you spend time with yaks, you will see it too!

Are there different breeds of yaks?

So, domestic yaks are a species rather than a breed. The confusion often arises when we talk about phenotypes. Yaks have different phenotypes, which make them look very different from one another, and in certain breeding programs, there may be only one, like super wooly, for example. Read more HERE (link).

Where can I get yak milk?

Unless someone has begun a commercial milk operation since writing this, the best way to get yak milk is to raise some tame yaks and milk them yourself. They do not produce a large quantity of milk like domestic dairy cattle and it is often not viable for ranchers to milk their herd. Read more on yak milk HERE (link).

Do yaks forage or graze?

While yaks are very hardy and adaptable, they are a grazing animal, unlike goats who will eat down brush and understory much more reliably. Yaks will nibble on many things, but it is unrealistic to expect them to clear land or get their nutritional needs met if they do not have adequate access to pasture and grasses.

Can you raise yaks anywhere in the US?

Yaks do best in climates with seasonality and colder winters. They do not perform well in areas with both humidity and high summer temperatures.

How many yaks can I run per acre?

It is generally considered that the stocking rates for yaks are 2 to 1 compared to cattle. However, this will ultimately depend on the specific property, amount of available forage, quality of feed, pasture rotation, irrigation or dryland pasture and ability to supplement feed.

Are yaks safe around predators?

In Tibet, their main natural predator is the Tibetan Wolf. Here in the US, yaks are generally good at defending themselves but their offspring can be attacked by wolves and young stock can be taken by mountain lions. They generally don’t care about coyotes or other predators.

Can I raise yaks with my other animals?

That will ultimately depend on your animals, the size of the property and the temperament of the yaks. Some people successfully raise yaks with sheep, goats, horses, etc, but there are also sad stories of unsuccessful situations. Plenty of space and access to food are important to avoid issues, but it is generally not recommended as a main plan.

Shoot! I need a chute?

Yes! We highly recommend you have the ability to work your yaks, whether it be grooming or healthcare. There are simple, inexpensive designs but it is important to make a chute part of your plan. Read more HERE (link).

Do I really need a scale?

If you have a couple pet yaks and keep them in good health, chances are you don’t need a scale. But if you are raising yaks for meat, have a herd and want to ensure productivity and health, a scale is an invaluable tool. There are simple and inexpensive options online for putting one together at home. If you are launching a larger herd, definitely look into options that have a computer interface to upload weights and track productivity.

How many yaks should I get to start?

That depends on your goals, how tame you want them and how quickly you want to produce offspring. We generally recommend beginning with between 2 and 7 yaks, but if you are starting a meat production herd, you may want more.

Can I breed yak cows to my beef bull?

It is generally not recommended to breed yak cows to other bovines. Yaks have much smaller birth weights and larger calves can be hard on the yak cows. While it has been done successfully, it can lead to more birth and post-birth complications. If you want to cross breed, consider getting a young yak bull and raising him with beef cows to breed when he is mature.

If you are searching for the perfect pet companion yaks to add to your family, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, genetics and the right individual animals are the most important thing, regardless of color. Yaks range in temperament and personalities just like people, and there are different styles of “tame” yaks even within the “tame” category. If you want a close connection with your yaks, it is important to visit prospective animals. If you can’t do this, work with a breeder who will provide all relevant information on potential candidates, and can describe their unique temperaments to determine if that animal would be a good fit for you. While the perfect personality yak may not be available in your first color choice, I believe it is important to love what you see when looking at your yaks. If you absolutely must have a royal, for example, you may want to wait until the right yak is available. Often the most gentle, tame and hilarious personalities just appear in the herd and there is no predicting what they will look like. If the stars align and just the color you are looking for is available in the personality you also adore, scoop them up because sometimes things are meant to be! And similarly, if you don’t connect with the yaks you meet in the way you expected, be patient. Maybe they’re just not born yet, on another ranch, or you just need to visit again and spend more time with them to be sure. Our advice is: be patient and get the right yaks the first time. This saves time, money and stress in the long run. If you plan to add yaks to your existing human family involving children, please read our tips on CHILDREN AND YAKS. (link).

Bottle Babies or Weanlings?

At our farm we occasionally have bottle babies due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, these tame babies often develop differently than yaks raised by their mothers and can make a human-oriented versus yak-oriented pet. However, for their optimal enjoyment of life, we recommend having at least two yaks. You can still have yaks that are bonded to you, who were raised on their mothers. The difference is that they don’t have the instinct as a calf that you are their food source. This can ultimately lead to a safer and more well rounded animal. While I adore the bottle babies I have raised, it is essential to establish boundaries and continue to do so into adulthood. They often do not respect space and can be dangerous if they are left intact as a bull. We do NOT recommend ever having a bull that has been raised by humans. Even cows and steers who were bottle raised can be unaware of spatial boundaries and accidentally hurt humans with their horns. They can also be territorial and jealous with their humans, pushing other yaks away from getting attention and creating unsafe dynamics if you are standing between the animals.

Time: Time spent is tameness earned

It is important to really think about what you want and expect out of your new yaks. Here are some questions to ask yourself about what you want out of your relationship with your future yak friends.

• Do you want to be able to pet and brush them in the pasture?
• Do you want them to let you trim their hooves while laying down?
• Do you have a chute to groom them in or do you expect to handle, doctor and care for your yaks without any additional equipment?
• Do you want to lead them on a halter?
• Do you want to take trips with them?

If you answered yes to ANY of these questions, now it’s important to think about how much time you can allot to working with your yaks. With good, gentle stock, it is easy to get them to eat treats out of your hand or follow you around in the pasture. But if you want them to perform certain tasks, it requires a time investment, patience and consistency. Often people who want tame yaks to pack or ride get part of the way there, but life gets busy and the yaks never reach the objective full level of tameness or performance. So, ask yourself if you would still love having your yaks if you don’t get all the way there, and what adjustments you may need to make in your management if that is the case.

Fiber production

If you are interested in getting yaks for fiber production, there are some things to know. First, when breeders talk about “high fiber” yaks, there are a lot of details within that category. The right yaks for you will depend on your needs and objectives. You can read more about yak fiber HERE (link). Quality of the fiber and amount of production are determined by both genetics and environment. You can have an incredible fiber yak, but if the winters are warm, they may not produce as much as in colder climates. And conversely, even in cold climates, the quality of the down is determined by genetics. For hand spinning and homestead fiber use, the quality of the down and separation from the guard hair is very important. That is a very specific yak, with excellent, low micron fiber, that has clearly discernible larger hairs that can easily be removed by hand for necessary dehairing of the down. For larger herds, each individual may not be as critical, but overall fiber production and quality is the goal, with traits that will be passed down to offspring. Choosing the right bull is important in this situation, in order to maintain quality for future generations. Our herd has all types of fiber. We have our rug-making yaks with thick, coarse hair (and a lot of it!), some that produce large quantities of medium grade fiber, and some that produce high-end down for luxury wearables. Some produce very little fiber at all.

Super wooly: Super wonderful or too much work?

That answer is up to you! I adore the look of super woolies. The individuals in our herd happen to have personalities ranging from adorable to extreme Diva, and they are funny and enjoyable as they are beautiful. However, we must be honest about the amount of grooming required to keep these yaks in good condition and the environment in which they are raised. Grooming at least twice a year is necessary and involves significantly more brushing than other, shorter haired yaks. Some plain coated yaks require no grooming, and these are more suitable for meat operations and those without the time necessary to maintain longer haired yaks. It is also necessary to have equipment to groom them, such as a chute and hand tools. Keep in mind that the amount of guard hair on the exterior coat may not have a correlation to the amount of down fiber production. That depends on genetics and traits of the specific animals. It is possible to have super woolies with good down production, but some produce less because their exterior coat has so much insulation in itself.

Milk production is not a trait that is typically verified in most breeding programs. Because most ranchers are not milking their yak cows, there is no way to tell precisely how much they are producing. However, if you are looking to raise a female yak to milk, chances are the rancher will be able to identify good candidates based on how well their dam grows a calf, and temperament. For a milk yak, you will want one that has the ideal temperament. They should be calm, social enough to learn to be touched all over, halter trained and trained to go into the stand daily. You can expect anywhere from one quart to one gallon of milk per yak, per day. It is a big time investment but oh, how fun!

There is a reality to raising animals of any kind that we must be aware of and plan for. They cost money. No matter how efficient your system, they will eventually cost money. Let’s talk about what that looks like for your goals and needs. First, it’s important to identify why you want yaks, as it relates to finances.

• Do you plan to recoup your purchase price on your yaks?
• Do you plan to turn a profit?
• Do you plan to use the yaks for tax purposes, zoning or grazing regulations?

If none of the above, do you have the resources to keep yaks if they serve no other purpose than being absolutely fantastic? If you answered yes to 1, chances are you can do so given a reasonable time frame, and we are happy to help build out the scope of ways in which to earn on your herd to recoup the purchase cost. If you answered yes to 2, that requires some planning, discussions, research and decisions around the specifics of your operation. It can absolutely be done, but there are a lot of details to determine with each type of enterprise in terms of size, scope, marketing channels, processing, breeding sales, etc.

We are happy to help any way we can. If you answered yes to 3, great! Yaks make wonderful ways to keep land in EFU designation, and have running costs associated with agricultural endeavors that can be used in conjunction with property development, maintenance and financial planning. If you answered yes to 4, you’re going to just have so much fun enjoying yaks for all of their innately wonderful qualities that go beyond our world of finances and human conundrums.