U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Jan ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Dec ’17. Highlights from the updated report include:
’15-’16 annual dairy cow slaughter finished down 0.3% as rates declined 1.5% below the previous year levels over the second half of the production season however ’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter rates rebounded by 2.5%, finishing at a four year high. Despite recently experienced increases in slaughter rates, the Dec ’17 U.S. milk cow herd remained within 3,000 head of the 20 year high experienced during Aug ’17. As of Dec ’17, the total U.S. milk cow herd stands at 9.401 million head, which is 47,000 head more than December of last year.
The most significant MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia), followed by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada). Figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington), followed by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada).
Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) declined 2.9% MOM and 4.0% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, finishing lower on a YOY basis for the first time in the past eight months. ’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 6 finished down 5.5% YOY vs. record high levels experienced during the aftermath of Winter Storm Goliath.
Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) increased 4.1% MOM and 2.9% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the 11th time in the past 12 months.
- U.S. dairy cow slaughter increased on a YOY basis for the 11th consecutive month during Dec ’17, finishing up 4.3% when normalized for slaughter days.
- 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 7,200 head from last year.
- Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) declined on a YOY basis for the first time in the past eight months, finishing down 4.0%, however slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) remained higher on a YOY basis for the 11th time in the past 12 months, finishing up 2.9%.
’15-’16 annual dairy cow slaughter finished down 0.3% as rates declined 1.5% below the previous year levels over the second half of the production season however ’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter rates rebounded by 2.5%, finishing at a four year high. Despite recently experienced increases in slaughter rates, the Dec ’17 U.S. milk cow herd remained within 3,000 head of the 20 year high experienced during Aug ’17. As of Dec ’17, the total U.S. milk cow herd stands at 9.401 million head, which is 47,000 head more than December of last year.
The most significant MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia), followed by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada). Figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington), followed by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada).
Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) declined 2.9% MOM and 4.0% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, finishing lower on a YOY basis for the first time in the past eight months. ’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 6 finished down 5.5% YOY vs. record high levels experienced during the aftermath of Winter Storm Goliath.
Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) increased 4.1% MOM and 2.9% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the 11th time in the past 12 months.