U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Aug ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Jul ’18. Highlights from the updated report include:
’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased by 2.5% YOY, finishing at a four year high, while ’17-’18 YTD slaughter rates are up an additional 4.5% throughout the first ten months of the production season. Recent increases in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd declining from the 22 year high levels experienced during the early months of 2018. The Jul ’18 U.S. milk cow herd declined 8,000 head from the previous month, finishing at a nine month low.
The most significant MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was experienced within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada). Seasonal figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were released for the first time since 2015, finishing 5,800 head above Jul ’15 figures but declining 900 head from the previous month. Slaughter figures for Standard Federal Region 5 were not available from Jan ’16 until Dec ’17 to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increases in dairy cow slaughter continue to be exhibited within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia). Dairy cow slaughter rates finished higher on a YOY basis within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) for just the second time in the past six months, increasing by 1,800 head.
- U.S. dairy cow slaughter increased on a YOY basis for the 18th consecutive month during Jul ’18, finishing up 3.8% when normalized for slaughter days. Slaughter rates reached a five year seasonal high for the month of July.
- YOY increases in dairy cow slaughter continue to be led by the Northwestern United States. Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) finished most significantly higher, up 6,400 head from last year.
- Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) finished higher on a YOY basis for just the second time in the past six months, finishing up 1,800 head.
’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased by 2.5% YOY, finishing at a four year high, while ’17-’18 YTD slaughter rates are up an additional 4.5% throughout the first ten months of the production season. Recent increases in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd declining from the 22 year high levels experienced during the early months of 2018. The Jul ’18 U.S. milk cow herd declined 8,000 head from the previous month, finishing at a nine month low.
The most significant MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was experienced within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada). Seasonal figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were released for the first time since 2015, finishing 5,800 head above Jul ’15 figures but declining 900 head from the previous month. Slaughter figures for Standard Federal Region 5 were not available from Jan ’16 until Dec ’17 to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increases in dairy cow slaughter continue to be exhibited within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia). Dairy cow slaughter rates finished higher on a YOY basis within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) for just the second time in the past six months, increasing by 1,800 head.