Heritage Cattle

 

Breed Facts

Status:
Critical

Use:
Meat, Dairy, Hides, Fiber

Adult Weight:
600 – 1500 lbs.

Temperament:
Docile

Experience Level:
Beginner – Intermediate

Notes:
Lean beef, cold hardy, high-altitude adaptation

Country of Origin:
Tibet

AMERICAN YAK

Yaks are Tibetan bovines and were imported to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. First used for zoo exhibitions, yaks were later evaluated for hybrid beef production in the cold climates of Canada and the northern United States.

Today, purebred descendants of the American Yaks are distributed across many U.S. states and Canadian provinces. After more than a century of genetic separation from their cousins on the high Tibetan plateau, the purebred yaks of North America represent a unique and important genetic resource.

North American Yak

American Yak

Adapted to high altitudes and cold conditions, the hardiness of American Yaks makes them a valuable addition to grass‑based ranching operations, especially where stocking levels are restricted and environmental conditions are harsh. They do not require special fencing, calve with ease, and are usually long-lived. The breed produces lean, nutrient-dense beef; their hair and dense undercoat are valuable for high-end fiber production. Dairy farmers and cheesemakers appreciate their rich milk, and the yak’s trainability means they can be used as pack animals. Fine, durable leather products, hides, and horns are valued in niche markets.

While yak-cattle crosses can yield viable offspring, these crosses produce sterile males. Crossbred animals must be carefully tracked to ensure the integrity of America’s highly endangered pure lineages. Significant numbers of purebred stock must be maintained to safeguard the future of this rare and spectacular breed in North America.

Thanks to the World Heritage Yak Conservancy for providing breed photos. Ranked as a Critical breed on the Conservation Priority List, fewer than 200 purebred American Yaks are registered in the US annually. The estimated global population is less than 500. In the face of climate change, American Yaks are one of the breeds native to North America that warrant greater attention for grass-based beef production in cold climates and high altitudes.


Did you know:

Membership dollars and charitable gifts provide LOTS of free heritage breed resources like archived Facebook chats, microgrants, webinars, book downloads, and charts for comparing breed attributes.  Staff members also answer phone calls and emails every day.  These and many more services are designed to graduate more breeds off the Conservation Priority List.  Thank you for investing in our ability to serve the heritage breeds community with free resources!

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Butchering Beef Book

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Storeys Guide to Raising Beef Cattle book

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Grass-Fed Cattle book cover

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Heritage Cattle

 

Breed Facts

Status:
Critical

Use:
Meat, Dairy, Hides, Fiber

Adult Weight:
600 – 1500 lbs.

Temperament:
Docile

Experience Level:
Beginner – Intermediate

Notes:
Lean beef, cold hardy, high-altitude adaptation

Country of Origin:
Tibet

You may be interested in…

Butchering Beef Book

Butchering Beef

By Adam Danforth
$24.95

Storeys Guide to Raising Beef Cattle book

Storey’s Guide to Raising Beef Cattle

By Heather Smith Thomas
$19.95

Grass-Fed Cattle book cover

Grassfed Cattle

By Julius Ruechel
$24.95