U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Jul ’20
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Jun ’20. Highlights from the updated report include:
Dairy cow slaughter rates had finished higher on a YOY basis over 30 consecutive months prior to finishing flat or lower throughout nine of the past 11 months through Jun ’20. The Jun ’20 YOY decline in dairy cow slaughter rates was the largest experienced throughout the past five and a half years on a percentage basis.
Recent declines in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd remaining higher on a YOY basis through Jun ’20. The Jun ’20 U.S. milk cow herd declined 10,000 head from the previous month, reaching a six month low level, but remained 23,000 head above previous year levels.
Month-over-month declines in dairy cow slaughter rates were most significant throughout Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas), while slaughter rates throughout Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) increased most significantly from the previous month.
YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
2019 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased 4.4% on a YOY basis, reaching a 33 year high and a 35 year high level on a percentage of the total dairy cow herd basis.
- Jun ’20 U.S. dairy cow slaughter rates declined seasonally from the previous month while finishing 8.0% lower on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days. The YOY decline in dairy cow slaughter rates was the largest experienced throughout the past five and a half years on a percentage basis.
- Month-over-month declines in dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas).
- YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
Dairy cow slaughter rates had finished higher on a YOY basis over 30 consecutive months prior to finishing flat or lower throughout nine of the past 11 months through Jun ’20. The Jun ’20 YOY decline in dairy cow slaughter rates was the largest experienced throughout the past five and a half years on a percentage basis.
Recent declines in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd remaining higher on a YOY basis through Jun ’20. The Jun ’20 U.S. milk cow herd declined 10,000 head from the previous month, reaching a six month low level, but remained 23,000 head above previous year levels.
Month-over-month declines in dairy cow slaughter rates were most significant throughout Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas), while slaughter rates throughout Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) increased most significantly from the previous month.
YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
2019 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased 4.4% on a YOY basis, reaching a 33 year high and a 35 year high level on a percentage of the total dairy cow herd basis.