"Recently, The gene pool containing 30 different breeds of yak in China that we created with the Southwest Minzu University was completed, and is the most complete yak gene pool in China," said Dr. Ji Qiumei, chief expert on yak industry technology in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

At the beginning of this year Tibet's first state key laboratory for barley and yak germplasm resources and genetic improvement was established, with an aim to further collect, identify and evaluate Tibet's barley and yak genetic resources; to establish a genetic resource library and information database; to build a core collection of barley and yak genetic resources; and to unearth functional genes with important traits to then create new germplasm.

On the basis of original yak research, the laboratory initially established an evaluation system for small group breeding. It also established four breeding bases and one propagation base. More than 4,000 yaks were produced, with meat producing capacity increased by 10.22%. And more than 600 improved varieties were promoted.

"This is an important milestone for China's yak germplasm resources and genetic improvement," said Dr. Ji Qiumei.

The laboratory has selected 24 key genes for yak milk production, meat production, stress resistance and other related traits, which  provides a direction for selection and utilization for the candidate genes in yak breeding.

Editor: Tommy Tan.