The Yakutian cattle are a landrace cattle breed, which are bred in the north of the polar circle in the republic of Sakha. They belong to the East Asian Turano-Mongolian group of Taurine cattle.
This group of cattle may represent a fourth Aurochs domestication event and may have diverged from the Near East group some 35,000 years ago, and a third event among Bos taurus–type aurochs.
The Yakutian cattle are one of only a few pure Turano-Mongolian breeds remaining throughout the world. And they are the last remaining native Turano-Mongolian cattle breed in Siberia.
The Yakutian cattle breed are noted for their extreme hardiness and tolerance towards freezing temperatures.
The breed is also known by some other names such as Yakut cattle or East Siberian cattle. The Yakutian cattle breed is descended from the indigenous Siberian cattle breeds.
The Yakuts brought it to the lower reaches of the Lena, the Indigirka, the Yana and the Kolyma rivers from the southern Baikal region when they migrated northward in the 13th century. And until 1929 the breed was purebred, but then an extensive crossbreeding with the more productive Simmental cattle and Kholmogory cattle began.
Actually many other landraces were lost during this era. Fortunately, the Yakutian cattle breed was saved by the traditional cattle breeders and individual scientists. Read more information about this cattle breed below.
Yakutian Cattle Characteristics
The Yakutian cattle are relatively smaller in size with well developed dewlap. They usually vary in colors, and the color can be black, red or spotted. And most of the animals have a white dorsal stripe along the back.
Both bulls and cows usually have horns. And their horns are usually of variable shape and direction. They have short but strong legs. Their chest is deep but relatively narrow. They have large abdomen and are capable of surviving in poor feed conditions in winter season.
Average height of the Yakutian bulls is about 115 to 127 kg, and about 110 to 112 kg for cows. The bulls on average weight about 500-600 kg, and the cows about 350-400 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
Yakutian cattle are triple-purpose animal. They are mainly raised for meat and milk production. And they have also been used as a draft animal.
Special Notes
The Yakutian cattle are very strong and hardy. And they are noted and well known for their extreme hardiness and tolerance towards very low or even freezing temperatures.
The cows can approximately produce 1000 kg of milk per year. Their milk is a rich milk and of very good quality. Their milk on average contain about 5.03 percent fat content, and about 4.69 percent protein content.
Meat of this cattle breed is also of very good qualities. Review full breed profile of the Yakutian cattle in the following table.
| Breed Name | Yakutian |
| Other Name | Yakut cattle or East Siberian cattle |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, milk, draft |
| Special Notes | Active, Extremely cold Hardy |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Bulls | About 500-600 kg |
| Cows | About 350-400 kg |
| Climate Tolerance | Very cold hardy |
| Coat Color | Vary (can be black, red or spotted) |
| Horned | Yes |
| Milk Yield | Low |
| Rarity | Rare (conservation status is endangered) |
| Country/Place of Origin | Russia |
