According to USDA’s semiannual cattle inventory report, the U.S. milk cow herd rebounded to a 26 year high seasonal level throughout Jul ’21. The report showed that as of July 1^st, 2021, the total U.S. milk cow herd stood at 9.5 million head, up 150,000 head, or 1.6%, from the previous year. The YOY increase in the U.S. milk cow herd was the largest experienced throughout the past 13 years.

Jul ’21 milk heifer replacements of 4.1 million head increased 100,000 head, or 2.5%, from the previous year, rebounding from the 11 year low seasonal level experienced throughout the previous year. On a heifer replacement per milk cow basis, the Jul ’21 figure of 0.432 rebounded from the 12 year low seasonal level experienced throughout Jul ’20.