Description of yak fiber
Yak fiber is typically described as a dual-coat. An outer weather resistant coat and an undercoat of insulation that gets shed out in the spring as warmer longer days start. This is true but as I have been studying the fibers I would say there are more like five distinct fibers. There are the general outer and inner coats but there is a mid-coat, tail hair, and skirt hair. These all vary in thickness/diameter. The micron count ranges from about 16 micron to over 100 micron depending on the animal and which coat we are looking at. These five pieces of the yak’s coat also vary drastically in length. The insulative undercoat (down) is about .5 inch (1 cm) to 2 inch (5 cm). The mid-coat averages about 3 inches (7.5 cm). That outer coat, skirt, and tail hair varies from about 3 inch (7.5cm) to 15 inch (38cm). As you can see the variability is immense but this also makes the yak fiber good for various applications and it provides key protection to the animals. This multi-layer and seasonal coat allows the yak to live at the high elevations of the Himalayas and be protected from the intense UV rays along with the extreme temperatures.
A typical yield of fiber from one yak each year can vary in region as well as the genetics of the yak being combed. Generally an adult yak can harvest from 8-20 ounces of down, that is in total per year, with multiple combings. Yak coats can be groomed multiple times in spring when down fibers are released. Not all the down comes off in a synchronous shed.
Here in North America most yaks do not have as much of a need for the heavy undercoat to develop except in a few high elevation locations. We as caretakers of the yaks do not need them to help us survive either. Thus, I have a suspicion that through the generations the yak fiber will become coarser and they will produce less of the down unless the breeder specifically selects their herd to be fiber animals. Also, I think this will be much more difficult for animals kept at lower elevations with warmer weather.
Fiber Judging Events
Each year, the association expects to sponsor and hold a fiber competition. These competitions can be included as part of an association event at a particular venue or can also be announced as a mail-in competition.