U.S. Dairy Cow Inventory Update – Jan ’17
According to USDA’s semiannual cattle inventory report, dairy producers expanded their herds throughout 2016 for the third consecutive year. The report showed that as of January 1st, 2017, the milk cow herd was 0.4% above a year ago, reaching a new 21 year high. The number of milk heifer replacements declined from the previous year, however, finishing 1.2% below the 2016 figure. The total milk cow herd finished the year at 9.35 million head, up 38,600 head from the prior year while milk heifer replacements finished the year at 4.75 million head, down 60,000 head from the prior year.
California had the largest milk cow herd as of January 1st, 2017, followed by Wisconsin, New York, Idaho and Pennsylvania. The milk cow herds within California and Wisconsin accounted for nearly a third of the total national milk cow herd.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Texas (+30,000 head), followed by Idaho (+13,000 head) and Michigan (+13,000 head). California (-15,000 head) experienced the largest reduction in their milk cow herd throughout the year.
The number of milk heifer replacements declined slightly from the 54 year high experienced throughout the previous year. The Jan ’17 heifer replacements per milk cow of 0.509 remained at the second highest level on record, trailing only the 2016 figure.
California had the largest number of milk heifer replacements as of January 1st, 2017, followed by Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania and Idaho. The milk heifer replacements within California and Wisconsin accounted for over 30% of the total U.S. milk heifer replacements.
YOY declines in milk heifer replacements were most significant within California (-30,000 head), followed by Wisconsin (-25,000 head). Arizona (+49,000 head) experienced the largest increase in milk heifer replacements throughout the year.
California had the largest milk cow herd as of January 1st, 2017, followed by Wisconsin, New York, Idaho and Pennsylvania. The milk cow herds within California and Wisconsin accounted for nearly a third of the total national milk cow herd.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Texas (+30,000 head), followed by Idaho (+13,000 head) and Michigan (+13,000 head). California (-15,000 head) experienced the largest reduction in their milk cow herd throughout the year.
The number of milk heifer replacements declined slightly from the 54 year high experienced throughout the previous year. The Jan ’17 heifer replacements per milk cow of 0.509 remained at the second highest level on record, trailing only the 2016 figure.
California had the largest number of milk heifer replacements as of January 1st, 2017, followed by Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania and Idaho. The milk heifer replacements within California and Wisconsin accounted for over 30% of the total U.S. milk heifer replacements.
YOY declines in milk heifer replacements were most significant within California (-30,000 head), followed by Wisconsin (-25,000 head). Arizona (+49,000 head) experienced the largest increase in milk heifer replacements throughout the year.