Domestic Yak Farming

Domestic Yak Farming

Domestic Yak Farming in the Himalayan Mountains:

The yak, Bos grunniens grunniens, is a large, bovine animal which inhabits the high altitudes of Asia. It is also known as the Tibetan ox. The yak is characterized by its long, shaggy black coat; long horns; and distinctive beard. Yaks weigh between 450 and 1,550 pounds and grow to a height of 5 feet at the shoulder. They are closely related to cattle and can interbreed with them. They are domestic animals in Tibet and Mongolia but are wild in Nepal.

Yaks are used to transport goods in the Himalayan Mountains. They also provide milk, meat, hides and wool for their owners. A yak's milk tastes like cow's milk but has less fat; it is used for making cheese, butter and yogurt. The hair from the yak's coat is made into tents and rugs; its hide becomes waterproof coats for Tibetans.

The main problem facing farmers who raise yaks is that only females give milk and only males are useful as beasts of burden. Farmers cannot afford to keep bulls unless they have more than 10 cows because bulls must be fed whether or not they're working. If a farmer owns more than 10 cows

The domestic yak is the most important animal in the Newari culture. "Our tradition, our religion, our culture, our lifestyle and our ecology are all connected with the yak," says Bishnu Prasad Ojha, a resident of Nala Gaun village in Nepal.

The Newari people live in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal and have been yak farmers for hundreds of years. Yaks provide their owners with meat, milk, butter and cheese; they are also used as transport animals and their dung can be used as fuel.