U.S. Dairy Cow Slaughter Update – Nov ’20
Executive Summary
U.S. dairy cow slaughter figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Oct ’20. Highlights from the updated report include:
Dairy cow slaughter rates had finished higher on a YOY basis over 30 consecutive months through Jul ’19 prior to finishing flat or lower throughout 13 of the past 15 months.
Recent declines in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd remaining higher on a YOY basis through Oct ’20. The Sep ’20 U.S. milk cow herd was revised 10,000 head higher than levels previous stated while the Oct ’20 figure increased an additional 14,000 head, reaching a 27 month high level and finishing 43,000 head above the previous year.
Month-over-month declines in dairy cow slaughter rates were most significant throughout Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), while slaughter rates increased most significantly from the previous month throughout Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia), followed by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
2019 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased 4.4% on a YOY basis, reaching a 33 year high and a 35 year high level on a percentage of the total dairy cow herd basis.
- Oct ’20 U.S. dairy cow slaughter rates declined 7.7% on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days, reaching a four year low seasonal level.
- Recent declines in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd rebounding to a 27 month high level throughout Oct ’20.
- YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter rates were led by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).
Dairy cow slaughter rates had finished higher on a YOY basis over 30 consecutive months through Jul ’19 prior to finishing flat or lower throughout 13 of the past 15 months.
Recent declines in slaughter rates have contributed to the U.S. milk cow herd remaining higher on a YOY basis through Oct ’20. The Sep ’20 U.S. milk cow herd was revised 10,000 head higher than levels previous stated while the Oct ’20 figure increased an additional 14,000 head, reaching a 27 month high level and finishing 43,000 head above the previous year.
Month-over-month declines in dairy cow slaughter rates were most significant throughout Standard Federal Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada), while slaughter rates increased most significantly from the previous month throughout Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
YOY declines in dairy cow slaughter were led by Standard Federal Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia), followed by Standard Federal Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
2019 annual dairy cow slaughter rates increased 4.4% on a YOY basis, reaching a 33 year high and a 35 year high level on a percentage of the total dairy cow herd basis.