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 a full year.
Based on latest USDA monthly data released Nov. 22, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in October 2024 was estimated at 235,600. While up 25,200 from September, it was 7,300 fewer than October 2023 and the lowest October total since 2010.
The first week of November marked the 61st consecutive week that dairy market cow slaughter has been below the same week a year earlier. Combining the final 17 weeks of 2023 and the first 44 weeks of 2024, dairy market cow slaughter was down nearly 430,000 head from the corresponding period a year earlier.
Audrey Schmitz
November 25, 2024
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