Abstract:

As an indigenous livestock genetic resource and the dominant production species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding high-altitude regions, the survival and development of yak are closely intertwined with the stability of alpine pastoral ecosystems, the livelihood security of herders, and the prosperity of regionally distinctive economies. Constrained by harsh natural conditions, traditional pastoral practices, and historically insufficient investment, the process of breed improvement and systematic genetic enhancement of yak has long lagged behind that of mainstream livestock species such as dairy cattle and beef cattle. This is manifested in a weak foundation for genetic evaluation, an incomplete performance testing system, low adoption rates of scientific breeding technologies, and limited capacity for genetic resource development. Against the strategic backdrop where the seed industry is regarded as the "chip" of agriculture, the systematic breed selection and genetic improvement of yak, alongside the establishment of a modern yak breeding system, are of irreplaceable significance for enhancing the core competitiveness of the industry, ensuring the effective supply of livestock products, promoting sustained income growth for herders, and safeguarding the ecological security of the plateau. This review outlines the implementation progress, major achievements, key technological breakthroughs, breeding schemes and industrial development models of yak genetic improvement in China. It further dissects the core challenges, prospective trends and developmental pathways, aiming to provide practical references for advancing the high-quality and sustainable development of China's yak industry.

Key words: Yak, Genetic improvement, Selective breeding, Industrialization development