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November 04, 2023
Caution! Not all yak bulls are fertile!
Yak DNA information is a must
By: Robert Stuplich
CAUTION: I would recommend that you never buy a yak bull of any color without a DNA analysis!! It is commonly known by many yak owners/breeders that yaks have a certain amount of "Bos Taurus cattle" or other bovine DNA in them (average about 3% or less). Both IYAK and USYAKS register yaks and they both require 5% or less cattle introgression to be registered as a full yak. If a yak bull has 5% or less cattle introgression it will most probably be a fertile bull. What is NOT commonly known is that any yak bull with more than 5% cattle introgression may or may NOT be fertile. Both USYAKS and IYAK label a yak with more than 5% cattle introgression as hybrid yaks. Hybrid yak bulls may not be fertile (female yak do not have this question/problem). It is important to note that I did have a white bull that was only 88.42% yak and he was quite fertile but I believe that was an anomaly. So, below 95% yak bulls can be fertile but I would never represent that a weanling bull below 95% yak will some day be fertile. I am currently in a bit of a panic right now because I sold some white hybrid yak bull weanlings to someone who told me they were going to steer two and keep the best two to see if they would be fertile when they grew up. Fair enough, except that today 2 of them showed up at the Missouri exotic animal auction. Auctions are known for the lack of information. So, I am receiving questions about two young weanling white bulls at the auction. Are they fertile? No one knows. I told him that I could not and would not guarantee fertility from these bulls. Now they are in an auction! What do people know about these two beautiful white bulls? I have no idea and am quite concerned so I am putting out the word to yak owners who may be hearing about these two white bull yak weanlings. Please message me with questions and send me your phone number if you wish a call.
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