Mai yak is a local breed of yak native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, primarily found in the Wakao, Maiji, and Zoige areas of Hongyuan County in Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. These yaks are well adapted to high-altitude environments and have been bred for generations by local herders. They play an important role in the region's agriculture, providing milk, meat, wool, and transportation.
In terms of appearance, Mai yaks have a robust and distinctive look. Their heads are moderately large, with most having horns. The horns vary in shape—male yaks typically have thick, curved horns that extend sideways and slightly backward, while females have smaller, sharper horns. The body is strong, with a short neck, broad chest, and a deep ribcage. Their limbs are shorter compared to other breeds, and their hooves are small but sturdy. The coat is dense, with long hair on the back, sides, and tail. The primary color is black, with variations such as white with black patches (16.8%), blue-gray (8.1%), brown (5.2%), and black-and-white (4.2%). A few individuals have brown or white coats, and pure white yaks are rare, making up only 0.4% of the population. Male yaks typically weigh around 13.1 kg, while females average 11.6 kg.
Regarding production performance, Mai yaks are known for their milk yield. Milk production begins 10–15 days after calving, with milking occurring once daily for about five months each year, from June to October. During peak lactation in July, a cow can produce approximately 1.8 kg per day. Over four years, a mother yak can produce around 230 kg of milk annually. The milk is rich and nutritious, with a specific gravity of 1.036, containing 17.9% dry matter, 7.22% fat, 5.04% lactose, 4.91% protein, and 0.77% ash. On average, adult females produce 365 kg of milk over 180 days, with a fat content between 6.0% and 7.5%.
For meat production, Mai yaks are raised without supplementary feeding, and adults typically weigh around 426 kg. The slaughter rate is 55.2%, with a net meat rate of 42.8%. Young males gain weight steadily when grazing, reaching 129.8 kg at 17 months old, with an average daily gain of 417 grams. The meat quality is high, with a muscle composition of 21.4% protein, 2.6% fat, and 1.1% ash. The eye muscle area is 31.7 cm², and high-quality cuts make up 55.4% of the total meat.
In terms of work performance, Mai yaks are strong and resilient. They can carry loads of 100 kg over 30 km per day for 7–10 days, or 150–200 kg for shorter trips. When carrying 75 kg (about 18.4% of their body weight), they can travel 30 km in 6.2 hours. Their maximum pulling force reaches 390 kg, equivalent to 95.6% of their body weight, making them ideal for farming tasks like plowing.
For wool production, Mai yaks are sheared once a year in early June. Adult males produce an average of 1.43 kg of wool, while females average 0.35 kg. The length of the fur varies by location, with shoulder hair reaching 38 cm, back hair 47.5 cm, and tail hair up to 60 cm.
Reproductively, Mai yaks mature later than some other breeds. Most females begin breeding at 3 years old and give birth at 4, though 5% may start as early as 2 years. Males usually reach sexual maturity at 2 but are not used for breeding until 3–4 years old. Breeding occurs seasonally, with estrus lasting 12–16 hours and an average cycle of 18.2–24.4 days. Gestation lasts 266–29 days, with most cows giving birth every two to three years. The survival rate of calves is around 43.7%, and abortion rates vary by region, generally between 4% and 14%.
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