The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report identifies milk and feed factors potentially impacting dairy producer income in the year ahead.

A smaller milking herd, tight replacement heifer supplies to keep barns full and slight improvements in milk income margins contributed to a slowdown in dairy culls marketed for beef to end 2023. That trend has continued to start 2024.

2023 annual milk production was down 98 million pounds compared to the 2022 total. However, annual total milk production has increased 9.9% from 2014.

The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report identifies milk and feed factors potentially impacting dairy producer income in the year ahead.

Dairy farming is a complex and demanding endeavor, requiring a multifaceted approach that goes beyond just milking cows and harvesting feed. Much like the proverbial saying,

A smaller milking herd and improving milk income margins are contributing to lower U.S. dairy cull cow marketing this winter. Through Dec. 30, the number of dairy cows marketed for beef had trailed year-ago levels for 17 consecutive weeks and was down 82,400 from the same period a year earlier.

Monthly U.S. milk production was lower than the year earlier in December 2023, extending the decline to six consecutive months.