U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Sep ’19
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Aug ’19. Highlights from the updated report include:
’17-’18 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased 4.8% YOY, reaching a five year high level, while ’18-’19 YTD dairy cow slaughter rates have increased an additional 4.7% on a YOY basis heading into the final month of the production season, despite the most recent YOY decline. ’18-’19 YTD dairy cow slaughter rates are on pace to reach a 33 year high level through Aug ’19.
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 Aug ’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 9.318 million head, finishing 71,000 head below previous year figures and 120,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The most significant Aug ’19 MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was experienced within Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), followed by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada).
YOY declines in Aug ’19 dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), followed 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 increased seasonally to a four month high but declined on a YOY basis for the first time in the past 31 months, finishing down 2.7%.
- Aug ’19 MOM increases in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
- Aug ’19 YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada).
’17-’18 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased 4.8% YOY, reaching a five year high level, while ’18-’19 YTD dairy cow slaughter rates have increased an additional 4.7% on a YOY basis heading into the final month of the production season, despite the most recent YOY decline. ’18-’19 YTD dairy cow slaughter rates are on pace to reach a 33 year high level through Aug ’19.
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 Aug ’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 9.318 million head, finishing 71,000 head below previous year figures and 120,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The most significant Aug ’19 MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was experienced within Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), followed by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada).
YOY declines in Aug ’19 dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), followed 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).