According to the USDA livestock slaughter report released 8/22/13 the July 2013 U.S. dairy cow slaughter totaled 251,000 head which was a 5.0% increase from the July 2012 U.S. dairy cow slaughter of 239,000 head. U.S. dairy cow slaughter rebounded from a 4.0% YOY decline in June 2013 which was the largest YOY monthly decline since July 2011. Without a USDA cow number report, slaughter rates have become an important indicator of herd size. Overall, 2012-2013 U.S. dairy cow slaughter has increased 4.8% YOY and 10.0% from the 2010-2012 three-year average slaughter through July. Please contact us if you are interested in receiving more detailed dairy fundamental analysis.