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 have created a large cow/calf operation of over 300 head to supply meat animals for our yak meat business, as well as, provide quality registered breeding stock. Our entire breeding herd is registered. We have 2 beautiful daughters that we hope, one day, will want to continue our operation.

My other passion is working 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 have a systems thinking approach to land management and can offer grazing management help to our members.

I love yak and through NAYAK I will work to enhance the future of North American 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.

Daniele Garner