JUNE 1854-"Geoffey Saint-Hilaire, and other eminent naturalists in France, are beginning to consider the domestication of animals which have hitherto been known to Europe only as objects of scientific curiosity. They have recently received for the Jardin des Plantes a number of Yaks from China-an animal which Comte de Buffon (1707-1788) says 'is more precious than all the gold of the New World.' In Thibet and China this animal draws large loads, supplies milk, has flesh which is excellent, and hair which can be wrought into warm clothes. To naturalize him, therefore, in Europe, would be an immense service to mankind. By the way, the late Lord Derby made the attempt and failed." Taken from Scientific American, June 2004.
We have come a long way since then, at least in the USA, with our Yak industry. All the virtues mentioned above do indeed still make Yak the ideal livestock animal. We have, within the International Yak Association, members who have taken advantage of each and every asset the Yak has to offer. From the luxurious fiber to the delicious meat, from showing in full Tibetan dress to riding saddled through the stockyards of the Denver Livestock Show, Yaks have filled every niche a cattle rancher or gentleman farmer could hope for.
The International Yak Association exists for the purpose of advancing awareness of the Yak and for benefiting its members through education and communication. As Yaks are still quite rare on a national scale, we rely on our members to come together with their experiences and knowledge so that we may continue to learn about this multi-faceted bovine.
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