Yak

There are approximately 12 million yaks in China which
is about 85%of the world total making China the leader for
Yaks.

Yaks are located mainly in the high, cold mountainous areas
of China.

Yaks can graze on the alpine grasslands in the summer
and duringwinter on the shrubs in deep snow in rigorous temperatures. The yak
loosesweight during the winter but recovers and gains weight rapidly with
thecoming of spring grass.

The yak's long coarse hair acts as
insulation for their body. Theanimals also grow a dense woolen undercoat for
winter protection.

Research workers claim there are three types
of yak in China. Theyare:

Valley: mainly distributed inthe valleys of North and East
Tibet, as well as in some parts of Sichuanand Yuman provinces. An example is
the Jiulang.

Plateau Grassland: mainly distributedin the high, cold
pastures and steppes, with an annual mean temperaturebelow 2 degrees
Celsius. Examples are the Maiwa and Luqu.

White Yak: found in almost every region of district. An example isthe
Tianzhu White Yak.

Work
Yaks are mainly used for packing in transport; they may travel
20-30 kmper day with a load of 130 lbs. on the high, cold, steep mountainous
paths.This gives them the reputation of the "Ships of the
Plateau".

Meat Production
They have a dressing percent of 45-54%. Yak meat, from
either white orblack yaks, has a special flavor and if adequately processed
and canned,it is much appreciated in China and as an export.

Milk Production
Milk is of economic importance in yak raising. Milk
generally starts 10-15days after calving, which occurs in April and May, then
continues for 5months until winter comes. Production is highest in July, when
grass isabundant and nutritious, then declines as the grass dries off
graduallybefore or in October.

Reference:
Cheng. P. (1984) Livestock breeds of China. Animal
Production andHealth Paper 46 (E, F, S). Publ. by FAO,Rome, 217 pp.

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Added April 26, 1996