Meet Rose, Kateri, and Anna: our registered yaks in Monterey County

We have three girls we'd love you to meet: Rose, Kateri, and Anna.

Our registered female yaks have joined the family at Monterey Mini Cow Company in Salinas, Monterey County. We've completely fallen for them. Those wonderful faces and smiles are hard to resist, and we're excited to share a little of their story.

If you know us for our miniature cows, here's another part of the herd worth getting to know.

Three girls with a future here

Anna was born in June 2022. Kateri was born in July 2023, and Rose followed that September. Anna and Rose are half-sisters, with the same sire recorded in their papers.

All three have the Royal coat pattern listed in their registration records. Royal describes the pattern, rather than a separate breed or an award. We do think it suits them.

Rose, Kateri, and Anna are staying with us as part of our herd. We love having them here, and we're taking our time as we prepare the breeding program ahead.

A remarkable animal behind that shaggy coat

Yaks have a long history in the highlands of Asia, including the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and neighboring mountain regions. Domestic yaks have supported communities there for generations, as working animals and sources of fiber. Their story is closely tied to the people who care for them. Read more in FAO's history of the yak.

Their coats are practical, too. Long outer hair covers a fine, insulating undercoat that helps conserve warmth. That soft down is used in textiles and naturally sheds as the weather warms in spring and early summer. There is quite a bit going on beneath the shaggy appearance. FAO explains yak fiber here.

And they have their own voice: domestic yaks grunt rather than moo. Their scientific name, Bos grunniens, means “grunting ox,” as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland explains. A different sound for a ranch better known for its moos.

Preparing our yak breeding program in Monterey County

We're excited to bring these beautiful registered yaks into our Monterey County ranch family. Our goal is to build a premier yak breeding program with the same love and attention we give our miniature cattle and sheep.

We're at the preparation stage. That means taking time with the individual animals, their records, and plans for appropriate future pairings. We'll share breeding news when there is something confirmed to tell you.

Their mountain heritage also deserves respect. Yaks are adapted to conserving warmth, which makes comfort in warmer weather an important part of their care. A beautiful coat is something to admire and something to understand. FAO's reference covers their environmental adaptations.

Part of the ranch we love

Our miniature cows will always be a big part of who we are. Our Valais Blacknose sheep have brought another side of ranch life we love, and Rose, Kateri, and Anna now have their own place in the family.

We look forward to sharing more of the girls as their story with us continues. Right now, we're simply happy they're here.

Meet the rest of our herd, or send our ranch team a note if you'd like to ask about the animals and our future plans.