Pricing structure and concepts for DELYAKS yaks, whether Blacks or Goldens:
Pricing variables include color, color pattern, hornset size and shape, wool quality and quantity, overall structure of the carcass, guard hair length and location, overall rarity and desirability, and to some degree - age. I set price ranges based on all these factors, and price each animal individually.

Grade yaks are those yaks that are desirable only for yak meat production, as they have minimal wool, and may have structural defects of one kind or another, making them not suitable for quality genetic breeding yaks, but very suitable when bred to a quality yak bull for yielding yak steers for quality meat production . Prices range from $750 to $1250. We have none of these yaks at this time.

Native Blacks and Trims: These are the most commonly colored yaks, having a gray nose, representing maybe 75% of all yaks in North America, and are the lowest price for all yaks above grade yaks. Their price range is from $1500 to $3000, with size, wool production, and conformation being the main criteria for establishing price.

Imperial Blacks and Trims: These yaks have a black nose, and may have more wool and guard hair than Native Blacks and Trims. Their price range is from $2000 to $10,000 each. Most are sold in the $2000 to $3000 range. They represent about 5 to 10% of all yaks in North America. Some "Super Woollies" fall into this category, as a number of breeders have been selecting for both qualities, the black nose and the very hairy look. Note: "Super Woollies" is a misnomer, as these are noted for the long guard hairs on the face covering the eyes and over the back and sides; rather than referring to the actual wool production capability of the yak. Though "Super Woollies"are a cool looking yak, none of these yaks are found in their native Himalayan Mountain region. They are only found here in North America, leading to the assumption that they actually originate from the cross of yaks and the Scottish Highland breed of cattle; and the long guard hair over the face and sides come from the Highland cattle side of the cross. We have no Imperials or "Super Woollies" at this time.

Black Royal yaks:  These yaks have more white than just the blaze, sox, and tail tip that Trim yaks have. These yaks represent maybe 15% to 20% of all yaks in North America. Their price range is from $2500 to $4000, with most sold in the $2500 to $3000 range. This color pattern is more desirable to the pet market, and to some degree for the wool market, as they are very pleasing to the eye, and the white wool is in greater demand, and fetches a higher price. For breeding purposes, the more white in the yak adds value to the price of the Royal. The more white in both parents, the more white in the baby.

Single Gold Gene yaks: When we have a black yak with a known single Gold Gene, we add $500 to the base price for that black yak.
These yaks are desirable for those breeders that want to breed for the Golden color, but want to do so with lesser cost than going for full Golden yaks. When breeding for the Golden color, with a Golden bull, you will have a 50% chance of getting a Golden baby from a Black yak cow with a single Gold Gene.

Golden Solids and Trims: These yaks provide a unique Golden color in the animal and in the wool, and are very rare due to the recessive gene controlling the color. Both parents have to have at least one of these Gold genes for the baby to express the color. As such, there are only about 100 Golden yaks in all of North America, and DELYAKS is the foundation Golden Yak herd in North America. Prices for these yaks range from $3000 to $10,000, with most being sold in the $3000 to $4000 range. It is interesting to note that each successive generation of the Golden color yields a lighter and lighter color of the Gold. The lighter the color of Gold, the higher the value. It is also important to note that the Golden wool from these Golden yaks is more substantial, and more valuable than the grey wool from the Black yaks. And there is minimal guard hair over the back and sides of the animal to interfere with the harvesting of the quality wool.

Golden Royal Yaks: These are the ultimate Golden yaks in North America. There are less than 30 Golden Royal yaks in North America. Again, we are the foundation Golden Royal yak herd in North America. The price range for the Golden Royal yaks is from $7000 to $20,000, with most sold in the $7000 to $10,000 range. It is interesting to note that each successive generation of the Golden color yields a lighter and lighter color of the Gold. The lighter the color of Gold, the higher the value. It is also important to note that the Golden wool from these Golden yaks is more substantial, and more valuable than the grey wool from the Black yaks. 4th Generation Golden Royals are gorgeous in every way, and are the culmination of my 20+ years of breeding these Golden yaks. Only a handful of these 4th Generation Golden Royals exist in North America, and command the $20,000 price tag. As always, all the conformation characteristics need to exist to command this kind of price.

Hopefully this explanation of yak pricing helps to put our prices into proper perspective. We think we have something very special here with these Golden yaks; and we hope you see the value as well. As always, prices are negotiable to some degree, and we do give a herd discount of 10% for all herds sold of at least 10 cows/heifers and 1 bull.

Please let us know your thoughts. We encourage all questions and concerns to be presented to us. We hope to be answer all questions and issues to give you confidence in your yak purchase.
Thanks,
Bob