Anyone else have Yaks?

[Illia]

Just curious, as we got our first bull calf today to start our future breeding group for meat, fiber, milk, packing - whatever! I am absolutely in love with him and the whole idea. As soon as new babies are born from our one and only WA breeder, we'll be snatching up some heifer calves for him.

I'd love to see other people's yaks, and love to hear what they have to say.

I know they're rare, but I'm sure someone has some. (More info on him is posted daily here)

 

[PeepsInc]

I always wondered if you could get those in the US. They are cool. I'd much rather raise a yak than a llama. How did you find a yak for sale? I cant wait to see if this thread goes anywhere.

 

[spectrumranch]

We have raised yaks in the past. But sold the last ones a couple years ago. We also had a yak/lowline cross cow that was super tame.

We do have a pair of Royal Yaks consigned to our annual animal auction next weekend. You can see pictures at:

http://sosranch.net/auctionsales/Heritagesale/miniaturesale.htm

 

[Illia]

Well, before I got mine, I always loved them but never knew you could actually buy and raise some in the US. Turns out, we have quite a few large Yak farms. Mine were from a local guy who doesn't have a website, but also raises Watusi Cattle, Bison, Donkeys, Zebras, Limousin Cattle, Yaks, and a couple Yak/Bison crosses with one Yak/Watusi cross. Gorgeous heifer!

Anyway, there's Vermont Yak, Yampa Valley Yaks, Turkey Hill Farm, Springbrook Ranch, to name a few. They all have websites. Most yak range from $1K up but I was lucky, our local guy sells bull calves for 500, heifers for 700.

The only downside in my opinion is that since Yaks can nolonger be imported to the US from Asia, the only colors available are black, imperial, (both black, one just having a grey nose) trim, and royal. Also golden, but those are very very rare, and quite expensive! Royal means pinto, trim means black white white feet and/or spot on the face. Sometimes even white tails.

 

[joedie]

I have Scottish Highland cattle and people are always stopping and asking if those are Yaks!

 

[rancher hicks]

I am sincerely sorry but I just cn't resist.

My cat has yaks, he "yaks" all over the rug. Seriously he has a hair ball problem.

 

[ranchhand]

You should PM YakLady in Michigan, she has quite a few!

 

[SarahBeth9394]

There's a guy just a couple blocks from us that has a yak. It took me weeks to get a good picture of it to compare with online photos to figure out what the heck it was. It shares a pasture with several horses. The other day when all the horses gathered at the hay bale (one of those big round ones) the yak climbed up on it as if it were the king. They are bizarre looking creatures.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
I should! We're very into the Yak business, and would love to connect with the few yak people around the US.

There is so much to learn on these interesting critters! Interesting thing is that the Yaklady's bull looks a lot like our boy's dad - Same horn base and structure as well as the "grey nosed" coat coloring.

 

[michickenwrangler]

I've heard yak meat and yak milk are delicious though yak hairs tend to end up in the cheese and butter and the USDA doesn't like that so that's why yak cheese doesn't catch on. Although I'm sure if you're careful and filter properly, it wouldn't be a problem.

I didn't know there was a YakLady in Michigan.