February report on dairy cows culled for beef
- amy55735
- Mar 28
- 1 min read
Despite high beef prices, a smaller dairy herd and higher demand and prices for dairy cow replacements have now impacted cull cow slaughter rates for over a full year.
Based on latest USDA monthly data released March 20, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in February 2025 was estimated at 217,000. While down 30,800 from January, it was 4,900 fewer than February 2024 and the lowest February total since 2008.
February 2024 had 25 non-holiday weekdays and Saturdays while February 2025 had 24 days. Slaughter averaged 9,000 head per business day this year, 1,100 lower from a year earlier.
By Audrey Schmitz
March 24, 2025
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