PRESIDENT

Bow Creek Ranch, Lenora, Kansas

President@IYAK.org

Stephanie's home is Bow Creek Ranch, where she and her husband Doug raise yak and quarter-horses. During her tenure as president she has been an enthusiastic and strong leader for IYAK.

Vice President, Registration Committee

Wayfare Yaks, Joes, Colorado

Tom has been on the board of directors for most of the time since 2008. Tom is the owner of Wayfare Yaks in Joes, Colorado, and specializes in Foundation yaks. He would like to give credits to Mike Swartz and Bill Martin for their mentorship in establishing his breeding program.

Philosophy:

“IYAK is the best expression for preserving the yak genome and for the society of all yaks. The Foundation Herd Book, which has extensive pedigrees, will remain permanently closed to most outside additions, in order to preserve the current high level of yak genetics. The Appendix Herd Book will remain an open book, which allows for any yak at the 95% level or better, to be admitted. The testing of hybrids will provide valuable data for further research. Without compromise, IYAK has a place for every type of yak.”

Goals:

Continue to define and classify yaks into types, enhancing the market by allowing each yak type to be compared with those of similar type, rather than giving preference to one particular type in show awards.

Maintain science and research findings with unbiased results.

Promote better breeding methods in order to decrease the problems of inbreeding.

Use IYAK’s long history of pedigrees and proprietary science, to enable subsidiary groups for further advancement of yaks.

Accomplishments:

Providing quality breeding yaks for sale

Conceived the late “B” Appendix Program

IYAK Ethics Program

Breed Standard for yaks

IYAK Show Standards

Redesigned the registration program to be more comprehensive, less restrictive

SECRETARY

Bentwood Alpacas & Yaks, Tully, New York

My husband and I have raised our family of 6 children in our favorite place on earth, Tully, NY. Sixteen years ago we built our home and decided we wanted to raise livestock. He was raised on a dairy farm and my father was a veterinarian, so animals were a part of who we were and we wanted our kids to know the value of a hard days’ work. Our first venture was with alpacas. We did it all: breeding, vet bills, shows, seminars, trips, visits, and a lot of buying and selling. Of course there were ups and downs with mistakes and successes along the way.

Ironically because we owned alpacas we met our first yaks 4 years ago and fell in love immediately. We traded alpaca fiber for yak meat to serve in our restaurant and it was a huge hit. That was when we decided to add yaks to our farm. Since then, we have learned (the hard way sometimes) about the idiosyncrasies of yaks. The yak industry is full of very helpful, friendly, and experienced farmers who are willing to give advice. Our herd has grown much faster than we originally planned. We have 40 yaks.

Being on the iyak board is an honor and I promise to do my best. I am still learning as I go and am awed by the knowledge and dedication of the board members. As I become more comfortable with my role, I hope to be able to contribute more.

mdrumm@twcny.rr.com

bentwoodalpacasyaks@gmail.com

Registrar, Board Member

Pettee Ranch, Fairplay, Colorado

I was raised in Fairplay, CO on Pettee Ranch located at 10,000 ft in elevation. The altitude makes for raising beef cattle difficult as they are more prone to respiratory and heart disease. My parents took an interest in yak in the late 90's after not only hearing about their disease resistance but also due to their nutrient rich, low cholesterol red meat. They purchased their first yak in 1998 and from there, created a small hobby herd of yak.

After finishing college in 2014, I moved home to take over the ranch from my folks. My husband Damon and I currently run around a 100 head of yak and a USDA meat business.

I do lots of work with land conservation and habitat partnership programs around our area. I have written grazing management plans, aided in stream restoration and provided grazing management in riparian areas that would otherwise be "fence out". In 2015 I was granted the Laurel Kagan Wiley Award for Excellence in Riparian Management, and gave a speech at the Colorado Watershed Assembly Conference. I enjoy systems thinking approach to land management and can offer grazing management help to our members.

Yak have become a passion of mine and IYAK works to preserve and enhance the future of yak. I am excited for all the new things to come. I will gladly answer any questions you may have or offer help and advice.

www.petteeranch.com

dcpettee@gmail.com

Board Member, Ethics Committee

Bentwood Yaks, Tully, NY

BOARD MEMBER

Firebird Farms, Ashland, Oregon

Five years ago I had the opportunity to purchase a piece of bare land in the hills outside Ashland, Oregon. I needed some grazing animals to preserve the pioneer water rights on the land and began looking at options. They must be hardy, able to defend themselves against predators, be gentle on the land and otherwise amazing. I found a breeding pair of yaks online and quickly began the wild journey of developing a property and falling in love with these beautiful, intelligent creatures. 

I now raise a herd of around 60 yaks, with the help of part time workers, friends and neighbors. The property has 230 acres of mountain meadows and forest at 4000 in elevation. It is my passion, a labor of love and a constant challenge that I really enjoy. As the business grows, so does the support from everyone who is inspired by these animals and all the possibilities they offer. 

The breeding program is the main focus of the enterprise. I sell registered, foundation yaks with calm, delightful temperaments, ample fiber production, good musculature and healthy resilience. I am dedicated to preserving the genetic base in the US, and have carefully researched and sourced an array of phenotypes and genetics, while emphasizing what I like to look at most. 

Out of the breeding program, I have a meat business that adds more consistent revenue. I sell at farmers markets in Oregon and have had a wonderful response from the communities. People love the way in which I raise them, the benefits of the meat, artisan charcuterie and connecting to their food source. 

I feel strongly that yaks can serve a wonderful multi-purpose niche in North American agriculture, for both small family farms and larger ranches. I love educating people on their qualities and building relationships with customers who are interested in adding yaks into their farming systems. With their lower ecological footprint, nutrient dense meat, intelligence, personalities, fiber and rich dairy, they are truly incredible animals. 

It is important to me that the genetic population of yaks in the US is maintained ethically, with good animal husbandry and registering offspring for optimal continuation of the species. A strong IYAK membership, communication with and between ranches, and continued research and education are critical for ensuring the animals we love continue to thrive in health, quality of life and diversity.  

With a background in experiential education, wildland firefighting, commercial salmon fishing, a BS in art, Master’s degree in Sustainable Business and work as a Marketing Director, I have a diverse skill set. This lends itself well to the multifaceted nature of both starting a small business and working in a growing niche industry, with potentially challenging educational and marketing frameworks. I love sharing what I’ve learned, networking with other ranchers, and working to build a strong industry and a vibrant community of people who all share at least one amazing thing in common. Yaks!  

Sophia Weiss

thefirebirdfarms@gmail.com

BOARD MEMBER, ETHICS COMMITTEE

Rancho African Yaks, Lenora, KS