Yak herd adds variety to Idaho farmer's life

ARCHER, Idaho — After 25 years of conventional farming, Kent Sutton was looking for something a bit different.

The Archer-area farmer, who raises potatoes, grain and vegetables as well as pigs, chickens and other animals, has added a herd of yaks.

"I've farmed the last 25 years, and the yaks are kind of a new venture for us," Sutton said. "I've always liked being a little different, and this is definitely different."

Sutton, who lives with his wife, Susan, and their three young children, began raising the animals, native to Tibet, about three years ago.

"They're just beautiful and enjoyable animals," Sutton said. "I'm intrigued by how incredibly unique they are. It's neat to work with animals like this, and I really enjoy their uniqueness as much as anything else."

With their long, shaggy wool coats and bodies that have an outer layer of fat, yaks are insulated against the extreme cold.

"In Tibet, yaks are used for milk, wool and as pack animals," Sutton said. "They're probably one of the few animals you could use for just about everything. They're a real versatile animal."

Yaks are also agile and athletic. The animals, which can grow to as big as 1,200 pounds, can run faster than 35 mph over short distances.

"I've seen some of them get excited and leap straight up and over a 5-foot high fence," Sutton said. "They're very nimble and very athletic. It's quite a sight when they all take off running across the field together."

Sutton bought his first three female yaks three years ago. Since then, his herd has increased to 15. They are used primarily for meat.

Because of their unique bodies, yak meat is very nutritious, Sutton said.

An outer layer of fat serves as an insulator, but it also leaves the actual muscles of the yak fat-free.

"It's very healthy meat," Sutton said. "For anyone with any type of heart condition, or any other problems that way, this is good for them."

Yaks also have a strong immune system that requires little medical attention and no antibiotic or immunization shots, resulting in very clean, healthy meat, he said.

"The only medical attention they've had was once when we had to pull some porcupine quills out of one of their faces," Sutton said.