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Yak Farm

Waitsfield, Vermont - May 2, 2008

Up until twenty years ago, a farm on Route 100 in Waitsfield was home to a large herd of dairy cattle. But the farmer shut down the operation and the milkers weren't replaced.

Farmer Dave Hartshorn sighs, "There's a lot of talk about farms going out. A lot of doom and gloom pictures."

Not here. This farm has an optimistic view of the future, because of its new residents: a herd of 24 yaks. Hartshorn chuckles, "Dairy cattle you can herd. These guys you can't."

Dave Hartshorn is up for the challenge. He and two neighbors brought these animals usually associated with Asia to the Mad River Valley. They believe they're the first yak farm in Vermont.

The Vermont Yak Company's Kate Williams says, "We would like to see it be a successful business. So we're approaching it in that way."

Yaks, like cows and bison, are bovines. They can weigh up to two tons and both sexes have horns. They're hardworking pack animals but are fairly new to America. The Vermont farmers estimate there are only 3,000 or 3,500 of them in the country, most of them out west.

The upstart Vermont Yak farmers first learned about the animals on a visit to family in Montana. They loved the meat, calling it richer and sweeter than beef, juicier and less fatty too. Williams figured she could raise and sell premium yak meat here, since Vermont has such a strong localvore movement. Localvores are people who try to eat primarily Vermont-raised food.

Williams explains her goal was to "just keep things local and try something new."

The Vermont Yak Company will first work on growing the size of the herd before starting to slaughter the animals for steaks and perhaps sausage. Williams points to her herd and smiles, saying, "Most of the females you see here are pregnant."

But the animals can be used for other "Made in Vermont" products, too.

Williams explains, "Their hair, which you can comb out, can be used for weaving and spinning." She adds, "The hairs in the tail can be used for broom-making."

Farmers can also milk yaks but the company does not plan to initially.

As the new business owners continue charting their course and learning how to handle their new herd, they're looking forward to spreading the word about this versatile animal that's already re-invigorating this farm.

Hartshorn says, "We hope Vermont is one day known for yak, and it all starts right here."

The yaks cost the farmers between $1,500 and $3,500 dollars apiece. The state agriculture agency says it's working on updating food safety guidelines to refer specifically to yaks.

You can visit the Vermont Yak Company's website by clicking here.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont