U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Oct ’19
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Sep ’19. Highlights from the updated report include:
U.S. dairy cow slaughter rates have finished higher on a YOY basis over 31 of the past 32 months through Sep ’19. The Sep ’19 YOY increase in dairy cow slaughter rates was the third smallest experienced throughout the 32 month period, however.
Recent increases in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd declining from the 23 year high levels experienced during the early months of 2018. The Sep ’19 U.S. milk cow herd declined 2,000 head from the previous month’s revised figure, reaching a three and a half year low level. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.315 million head, finishing 53,000 head below previous year figures and 123,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The most significant Sep ’19 MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was experienced within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
YOY declines in Sep ’19 dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), while dairy cow slaughter rates increased most significantly on a YOY basis throughout Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
- U.S. dairy cow slaughter rates finished higher on a YOY basis for the 31st time in the past 32 months, increasing 1.0% to a six year seasonal high level.
- Sep ’19 MOM increases in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada).
- Sep ’19 YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
U.S. dairy cow slaughter rates have finished higher on a YOY basis over 31 of the past 32 months through Sep ’19. The Sep ’19 YOY increase in dairy cow slaughter rates was the third smallest experienced throughout the 32 month period, however.
Recent increases in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd declining from the 23 year high levels experienced during the early months of 2018. The Sep ’19 U.S. milk cow herd declined 2,000 head from the previous month’s revised figure, reaching a three and a half year low level. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.315 million head, finishing 53,000 head below previous year figures and 123,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The most significant Sep ’19 MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was experienced within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
YOY declines in Sep ’19 dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), while dairy cow slaughter rates increased most significantly on a YOY basis throughout Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).