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.”
Source: uky.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-lishanskyphotography
Categories: Kentucky, Livestock