U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Jun ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through May ’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 4.8% throughout the first two thirds of the production season. Recent increases in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd declining 4,000 head from the 22 year high levels experienced during Feb ’18. As of May ’18, the total U.S. milk cow herd stands at 9.404 million head, which remains 3,000 head more than May of last year.
The most significant MOM declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada). Seasonal figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were released for the first time since 2015, finishing 11,900 head above May ’15 figures. Slaughter figures for Standard Federal Region 5 were not available from May ’16 until Dec ’17 to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increases in dairy cow slaughter continue to be 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 rates finished lower on a YOY basis within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) for the third time in the past four months, declining by 5,600 head.
- U.S. dairy cow slaughter increased on a YOY basis for the 16th consecutive month during May ’18, finishing up 3.3% when normalized for slaughter days. Slaughter rates reached a five year seasonal high for the month of May.
- 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 14,100 head from last year.
- Dairy cow slaughter within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) finished lower on a YOY basis for the third time in the past four months, finishing down 5,600 head.
’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 4.8% throughout the first two thirds of the production season. Recent increases in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd declining 4,000 head from the 22 year high levels experienced during Feb ’18. As of May ’18, the total U.S. milk cow herd stands at 9.404 million head, which remains 3,000 head more than May of last year.
The most significant MOM declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada). Seasonal figures for Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) were released for the first time since 2015, finishing 11,900 head above May ’15 figures. Slaughter figures for Standard Federal Region 5 were not available from May ’16 until Dec ’17 to avoid disclosing data for individual operators.
The largest YOY increases in dairy cow slaughter continue to be 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 rates finished lower on a YOY basis within Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada) for the third time in the past four months, declining by 5,600 head.