About Yaks
Why Choose Yaks
In North America, domesticated yaks (Bos grunniens, ‘Grunting Ox’) native to the Himalayan region, have been successfully introduced and bred in the United States and Canada. Yaks have been around for millions of years.
Yaks are used for their meat which is incredibly lean, flavorful and low in fat offering a much healthier alternative to beef. Yak meat has higher iron, higher moisture, higher fatty acids, higher red pigment and higher protein than beef. Yak is known to taste like grass-fed bison and elk and has a less gamey taste.
Yaks are also raised for their luxury, soft down undercoat and is prized for its softness, extreme warmth and odor-resistant qualities. This yak fiber is used in garments such as scarves, socks, beanies and gloves. Yak wool fiber is soft like cashmere (16-20 microns), 30% warmer than wool, hypoallergenic and does not itch. Yak Wool is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking! They grow and shed this wonderful under-fiber annually. Yaks do not sweat, do not smell and do not produce lanolin like sheep do. Steers are excellent producers of fiber unlike bulls because of their limited hormones.
There are three main colors of yak in the US: Solid, Trim and Royal. Solids are brown or black and can have a black nose known as an ‘Imperial’ or they can have a gray nose and are known as a ‘Native Black’. ‘Trims’ are either an Imperial or Native Black, but have a white marking on their forehead, such as a stripe or a star shape. Their two back feet are generally white, and they commonly have white at the end of their tail (milk-dipped). ‘Royals’ are black and white all over with a piebald pattern.
Yak milk is rich, creamy and is highly digestible compared to dairy cow’s milk. Yak milk is commonly used to make cheese and butter. Yak milk is a sustaining staple for the Tibetan’s and Himalayan’s daily diet and has been for thousands of years. It has more nutrients, more butter fat, more amino acids and is denser than cow milk. However, yaks produce much less milk.
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Yaks can also serve as work and pack animals, capable of hauling goods in in extreme rugged terrains. Their ability to thrive in a cold climate makes them ideal for regions like the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Yaks currently haul and transport people and goods in the Tibet/Himalayan region. They adapt well to diverse vegetation and have a lower environmental impact than traditional cattle do due to their small split hooves. Yaks require less food and water than cattle and have a more effective nutrient absorption system. Yaks eat about a 1/3 less of what cattle do!
With their smaller size, gentle temperament and majestic appearance, yaks are increasingly popular among hobby farmers and in agri-tourism. Females yaks only weigh between 500-800 pounds. The bulls have massive humps and can weigh between 1300-2000 pounds.
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Diet and Feeding
Yaks are efficient grazers and browsers, requiring less feed than cattle. They can thrive on a variety of forage, including grasses, hay, and browse shrubs or leaves. Mineral supplements with high copper and selenium are needed for proper nutrition; their diet requires hay and mineral blocks during winter or when forage is limited. Ensure they have constant access to clean, fresh water.
Breeding and Calving
Yaks have a gestation period of 8.5 months and generally give birth to a single calf weighing approximately 25 pounds. Calving is usually easy, straightforward with minimal human intervention required.
Fun Yak Facts
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Yak droppings have little, to no odor and are more solid than cattle manure.
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Yaks do not produce odor in their hair or wool.
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Female Yaks have horns and the calves are born with horn buttons.
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Yaks are the highest dwelling wool-producing mammal in the world. They live at higher elevations than sheep or goats.
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Yaks don’t moo! They have a grunt squeak which is so cool.
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Yaks are referred to as The Grunting Ox.
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Yak wool was used on the original Chewbacca costume in Star Wars because of its amazing breathing qualities.
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The Grinch costume was also made of yak wool.
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Yaks run with their fluffy tails up when they are excited and happy.
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Yak manure does not need to break down before using it as a fertilizer.
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Yaks are not aggressive to their barriers so barbed-wire works just fine.
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Yaks don’t sweat glands and don’t produce lanolin in their fiber.
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Over 13 million Yak currently reside in Tibet with an elevation at 14,000 feet and have larger lungs and larger hearts than cattle.
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Yaks migrated and are living in Nepal, India, Siberia, Mongolia and Russia with a total Yak population of 900,000.
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Yak fossils date back to 10,000 years ago.
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In Tibet/Himalaya, Yak droppings is their main fuel source.
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Outer Guard Yak hair is used in Tibet/Himalaya for tents, rope and clothing.
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Yak Outer Guard Hair is also used for beards in Chinese Theatre.
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Yaks were imported in North America until the late 1800’s/ early 1900’s.
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Currently in the United States and Canada, there is approximately 10,000 Yak.
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Yak anatomy is much smaller from a cow to prevent the teets and other body parts from freezing in harsh temperatures.
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Yaks can live up to -40 degree weather and can survive in the harshest weather conditions.
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Yaks are ranked as a Critical Breed on the Conservation Priority List.