Despite low milk prices forecasted for the first quarter of 2024, the live dairy cattle market seems to be a hot commodity with relatively high prices. According to the USDA’s semi-annual cattle report that was released back in July, the dairy heifer count was 3.65 million head. This total is the lowest mid-year report in two decades.
Phil Plourd, president of Ever.Ag Insights, shares that the markets will remain tight given low inventories.
“We just don’t have as many ‘extra’ heifers around compared to five or seven years ago as producers have tightened up management practices and accelerated beef and beef-on-dairy programs,” he says.
By KAREN BOHNERT
January 4, 2024
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