Tightening cow and heifer numbers pushed average prices for U.S. replacement dairy cows to a 10-year high in April, according to latest USDA quarterly estimates. Meanwhile, 2023 annual average cull cow prices were the highest since 2015.
U.S. replacement dairy cow prices averaged $2,120 per head in April 2024, up $230 (12%) from January 2024 and up $400 (23%) from April 2023. Quarterly average prices in April reached the same peak of $2,120 per head as seen in October 2014.
The USDA estimates are based on quarterly surveys (January, April, July and October) of dairy farmers in 24 major dairy states, as well as an annual survey (February) in all states. The prices reflect those paid or received for cows that have had at least one calf and are sold for replacement purposes, not as cull cows. The report does not summarize auction market prices.
Quarterly average prices for replacement cow prices were up in 23 of 24 major dairy states (Table 1). Largest increases were in Vermont, New York, Georgia and Ohio, all up $350 or more. Average prices were $100 lower in New Mexico.
Compared to a year earlier, April replacement cow prices were up $680 in Georgia and $560 in New York, and up $520-$540 per head in Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin. New Mexico was the only state to be unchanged from April 2023.
Progressive Dairy’s Cattle Market Watch tracks dairy heifer prices from about 20 auction markets throughout the U.S., with price summaries updated about every two weeks. The listings cover top and medium springers, shortbred and open heifers, and heifer calves.
Market cow prices strong
With a month lag in reporting data, the USDA’s Ag Prices report indicated U.S. average prices received for cull cows (beef and dairy, combined) in March 2024 averaged $119 per hundredweight (cwt), up $10 from February and more than $23 per cwt higher than March 2023.
Dwindling cow numbers have impacted not only replacement prices but also dairy cow culling rates. Based on latest USDA data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed weekly through U.S. slaughter plants has trailed comparable weeks a year earlier since early August 2023.
The number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in March 2024 was estimated at 244,600. While down 8,100 from February and the highest monthly total since August, it was 61,600 fewer than March 2023 and the lowest March total since 2009.
Read also: March report on dairy cows marketed for beef
