Zhongdian Yak

Zhongdian Yak

　　Origin (or distribution): Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

　　Population: In 1980, the herd numbered 26,200.

　　Main characteristics: Sturdy and robust build, varying in size. Bulls are fierce and aggressive, while cows are relatively docile. The coat is mostly black, followed by black-and-white patterns. Both bulls and cows have horns, which are long and slender, extending upward and outward, with tips slightly forward or backward, and are black or grayish-white. The forehead is broad and concave, eyes are large and round with slight protrusion, and ears are small and drooping. The neck is thin and lacks dewlap, the chest is deep and wide, the back and loin are straight and slightly long, the rump is sloped, the tail is short with long hair resembling a broom. The limbs are short. The coat is long, especially on the limbs and abdominal skirt, with some reaching the ground. Bulls stand 113 cm tall and weigh 230 kg; cows measure 105 cm and weigh 190 kg; castrated bulls measure 120 cm and weigh 300 kg. The lactation period is generally 210–220 days, and under calf-rearing conditions, each cow produces 202–216 kg of milk with a fat content of around 6.2%; non-lactating yak cows produce 529–575 kg of milk per year with a fat content of 4.9–5.3%. The slaughter rate of un-fattened adult yaks is 48%, and the net meat yield is 36%. Cows usually begin breeding at age 4, with a fertility rate of 66% and a survival rate of 93%.