Dairy cull cow marketing slows down

By Scout Nelson

The slowdown in dairy cull cow marketing is influenced by a smaller milking herd, limited replacement heifers to maintain full barns, and slight improvements in milk income margins.

According to the latest USDA data released on July 25, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in June 2024 was estimated at 186,400. This figure is down 29,600 from May, 69,300 fewer than June 2023, and the lowest since May 2008.

As of July 13, USDA Ag Marketing Service estimates show the number of dairy cows marketed for beef has lagged year-ago levels for 45 consecutive weeks, dating back to September 9, 2023, down by about 332,000 from the same period a year earlier.

June 2023 had 26 non-holiday weekdays and Saturdays, while June 2024 had 25. Slaughter averaged 10,200 head per business day this year, down about 1,300 from a year earlier.

The USDA estimated 9.335 million dairy cows in U.S. herds in June 2024, up 2,000 from the revised May estimate, putting the June culling rate at about 2% of the herd.

Year-to-date (January-June) dairy cull cow slaughter now stands at about 1,388,200 head, down 230,700 from the same period a year ago, marking the lowest six-month total to start the year since 2010. Despite high prices, the slower pace of culling may lead to increased July milk production and cow numbers.

The heaviest dairy cow culling in June occurred in the Upper Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) at 48,800 head, followed by the Southwest (Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada) at 41,600 head.

Other regional totals included 28,400 head in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia; 21,900 head in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington; and 21,800 head in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Primary data for the USDA’s Livestock Slaughter report is obtained from about 900 federally inspected plants and nearly 1,900 state-inspected or custom-exempt slaughter plants.

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