Skip to content
800-884-8290

|

Client Login

|

Open an Account
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Futures & Options Brokerage
    • Organic Grain Swaps
    • Margin Management
    • Commodity Marketing Education
    • Consulting & Insurance
  • Research
    • Dairy
    • Livestock
    • Grain & Oilseeds
    • Ethanol & Biodiesel
  • Account
  • Quotes
  • Contact Us

U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Aug ’20

  • August 21, 2020
  • by Belinda Przybylski
Executive Summary U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Jul ’20. Highlights from the updated report include:
  • Jul ’20 U.S. dairy cow slaughter rates increased seasonally from the previous month but remained 10.9% 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 increases in dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
  • YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter rates continued to be led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
Additional Report Details According to the USDA, Jul ’20 U.S. dairy cow slaughter rates increased seasonally from the four year low level experienced throughout the previous month but remained 10.9% lower on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days. The seasonal increase in slaughter rates of 0.9% was the smallest experienced throughout the past nine years, finishing significantly below the ten year average June – July seasonal increase of 4.7%. Dairy cow slaughter rates had finished higher on a YOY basis over 30 consecutive months through Jul ’19 prior to finishing flat or lower throughout ten of the past 12 months. The Jul ’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 Jul ’20. The Jul ’20 U.S. milk cow herd rebounded 2,000 head from the six month low level experienced throughout the previous month while finishing 37,000 head above previous year levels. Month-over-month increases in dairy cow slaughter rates were most significant throughout Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), while slaughter rates throughout Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) declined most significantly from the previous month. YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter continued to be led by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin), followed closely by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia) and Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) 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.
U.S. Milk Production Update – Aug ’20
U.S. Dairy Cold Storage Update – Aug ’20
Dairy
Ethanol
Livestock
Grain

Recent Dairy Research

  • Food Service Sales Update – Mar ’24
  • U.S. Dairy Trade Update – Sep ’23
  • Food Service Sales Update – Dec ’22
  • Global Dairy Trade Update 11-15-22
  • Dairy Products Production – Jul ’29
Atten Babler Commodities LLC
11406 US Route 20 W
Galena, IL 61036
800-884-8290
Privacy Policy
Atten Babler Commodities, a DBA of Pinion Futures LLC is a CFTC registered Introducing Broker and NFA Member (NFA #0284447) is a fully owned subsidiary of Pinion Risk Management LLC. Information contained herein is believed to be reliable, but cannot be guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. Past performance is no guarantee of future results or profitability. Futures and options trading involve substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Clients may lose more than their initial investment. All information, communications, publications, and reports, including this specific material, used and distributed by PF shall be construed as a solicitation for entering into a derivatives transaction. PF does not distribute research reports, employ research analysts, or maintain a research department as defined in CFTC Regulation 1.71.


Atten Babler Insurance Services a DBA of Pinion Commodities Solutions LLC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, martial status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities. This publication is brought to you by Atten Babler Insurance Services and is intended for informational purposes only. Nothing contained herein can or should be interpreted to take precedence over policy language, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation/Risk Management Agency regulation, and Underwriting or Loss Adjustment rules.
© Copyright 2025 Atten Babler Commodities LLC