Conference Explores Yak Production in Kentucky

By Aimee Nielson

Kentuckians are becoming more familiar with a livestock species dubbed an alternative to beef—the domestic yak. The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Morehead State University will offer a Yak Husbandry and Research Update Oct. 28.  

UK Department of Animal and Food Sciences professor Jeff Lehmkuhler is part of the joint project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education producer grant. He said yaks are gentle, yield lean meat, have high-quality fiber and generally have a low environmental impact. 

“Yaks are traditionally found in the Northern Plains states such as Montana, Colorado and Wyoming,” he said. “We are evaluating how yaks perform in the Southeast. We are also studying ways to improve genetic diversity by refining artificial insemination implementation.” 

The free, one-day conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. EDT at the Morehead State University Farm. Topics include artificial insemination, grazing performance, fiber characteristics and a meat-cutting demonstration. Lunch is included. The day will end with an open discussion at 6:30 p.m. 

Lehmkuhler said there needs to be more standardized information about yak husbandry in the United States.  

“We want to develop science-based information that will help Kentucky producers get started with yak,” he said. “We are studying ways to improve herds, understand yak economics and how yak perform in our rich, forage-based system.” 

To register for the conference, visit https://tinyurl.com/yakconference.  

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2021-38640-34724 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number 00002841. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.