U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Feb ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Jan ’18. Highlights from the updated report include:
’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased by 2.5% YOY, finishing at a four year high, while ’17-’18 YTD slaughter rates are up an additional 4.4% throughout the first third of the production season. Despite recently experienced increases in slaughter rates, the Jan ’18 U.S. milk cow herd increased to a 22 year high. As of Jan ’18, the total U.S. milk cow herd stands at 9.405 million head, which is 46,000 head more than January of last year.
The most significant MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), followed by Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas). Figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were released for the first time since 2015, finishing 6,300 head above Jan ’15 figures. Slaughter figures for Standard Federal Region 5 were not available from Jan ’16 until Dec ’17 to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) increased 12.6% MOM and 1.2% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the 12th time in the past 13 months.
- U.S. dairy cow slaughter increased on a YOY basis for the 12th consecutive month during Jan ’18, finishing up 5.5% when normalized for slaughter days.
- YOY increases in dairy cow slaughter continue to be led by the Northwestern United States. Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) finished most significantly higher, up 9,700 head from last year.
- Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) also remained strong, increasing on a YOY basis for the 12th time in the past 13 months throughout Jan ’18.
’16-’17 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased by 2.5% YOY, finishing at a four year high, while ’17-’18 YTD slaughter rates are up an additional 4.4% throughout the first third of the production season. Despite recently experienced increases in slaughter rates, the Jan ’18 U.S. milk cow herd increased to a 22 year high. As of Jan ’18, the total U.S. milk cow herd stands at 9.405 million head, which is 46,000 head more than January of last year.
The most significant MOM increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), followed by Standard Federal Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas). Figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were released for the first time since 2015, finishing 6,300 head above Jan ’15 figures. Slaughter figures for Standard Federal Region 5 were not available from Jan ’16 until Dec ’17 to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increase in dairy cow slaughter was exhibited within Standard Federal Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington), followed by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) increased 12.6% MOM and 1.2% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the 12th time in the past 13 months.