U.S. Dairy Cow Inventory Update – Jan ’21
According to USDA’s semiannual cattle inventory report, the U.S. dairy cow herd rebounded to a 26 year high level throughout 2020. The report showed that as of January 1st, 2021, the total U.S. dairy cow herd stood at 9.44 million head, up 97,800 head, or 1.0%, from the previous year. The YOY increase in the dairy cow herd was the first experienced throughout the past three years.
California had the largest dairy cow herd as of January 1st, 2021, followed by Wisconsin, Idaho, New York and Texas. The aforementioned states accounted for over half of the total national dairy cow herd.
YOY increases in dairy cow herd figures were led by Texas (+35,000 head), followed by Indiana (+15,000 head) and South Dakota (+14,000 head). California (-5,000 head), Pennsylvania (-5,000 head) and Florida (-5,000 head) experienced the largest declines in their dairy cow herds throughout the year.
Dairy heifer replacements continued to decline, however, reaching a seven year low level as of Jan ’21. Total dairy heifer replacements of 4.61 million head declined 79,500 head, of 1.7%, from the previous year. On a heifer replacement per dairy cow basis, the Jan ’21 figure of 0.488 reached a 12 year low level.
California had the largest number of dairy heifer replacements as of January 1st, 2021, followed by Wisconsin, Idaho, New York and Texas. The aforementioned states accounted for over half of the total national dairy heifer replacements.
YOY declines in dairy heifer replacements were most significant within Pennsylvania (-55,000 head), followed by Minnesota (-35,000 head) and Wisconsin (-30,000 head). Idaho (+40,000 head) and Texas (+20,000 head) experienced the largest increases in dairy heifer replacements throughout the year.
Dairy heifer replacements expected to calve declined to a 12 year low level as of Jan ’21. Total dairy heifer replacements expected to calve of 2.92 million head declined 55,500 head, or 1.9%, from the previous year. On a heifer replacement expected to calve per dairy cow basis, the Jan ’21 figure of 0.309 declined to a 17 year low level.
California had the largest dairy cow herd as of January 1st, 2021, followed by Wisconsin, Idaho, New York and Texas. The aforementioned states accounted for over half of the total national dairy cow herd.
YOY increases in dairy cow herd figures were led by Texas (+35,000 head), followed by Indiana (+15,000 head) and South Dakota (+14,000 head). California (-5,000 head), Pennsylvania (-5,000 head) and Florida (-5,000 head) experienced the largest declines in their dairy cow herds throughout the year.
Dairy heifer replacements continued to decline, however, reaching a seven year low level as of Jan ’21. Total dairy heifer replacements of 4.61 million head declined 79,500 head, of 1.7%, from the previous year. On a heifer replacement per dairy cow basis, the Jan ’21 figure of 0.488 reached a 12 year low level.
California had the largest number of dairy heifer replacements as of January 1st, 2021, followed by Wisconsin, Idaho, New York and Texas. The aforementioned states accounted for over half of the total national dairy heifer replacements.
YOY declines in dairy heifer replacements were most significant within Pennsylvania (-55,000 head), followed by Minnesota (-35,000 head) and Wisconsin (-30,000 head). Idaho (+40,000 head) and Texas (+20,000 head) experienced the largest increases in dairy heifer replacements throughout the year.
Dairy heifer replacements expected to calve declined to a 12 year low level as of Jan ’21. Total dairy heifer replacements expected to calve of 2.92 million head declined 55,500 head, or 1.9%, from the previous year. On a heifer replacement expected to calve per dairy cow basis, the Jan ’21 figure of 0.309 declined to a 17 year low level.