Dairy replacement heifer trade was light nationwide through December with altered holiday sale schedules. As a whole, average Holstein heifer springer price for the 4 reported markets was practically identical between year-end 2022 and 2023, at about $1,700 per head. Also in the “steady-but-uninspired” category for year-end 2023: global dairy demand. On the monthly Forecast Update Live podcast by Ever.Ag, Phil Plourd, President of Ever.Ag Insights, observed weak notes around dairy demand worldwide. “Until we see global demand get some traction, it’s hard to believe that these markets can get a lot higher,’ Plourd stated. Meanwhile, beef-cross calves remain the runaway dairy market story of the year. As an example, Holstein heifer calves in Pennsylvania averaged $50-90/head in the past month. Their beef-cross heifer counterparts were 7 to more than 10 times higher at $460-685/head.
| Springing Heifers | Heifer Calves | |
Location (sale date) | Supreme/Top | Approved/Medium | 90-120 pounds |
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Turlock, Calif. (12-15-23) | No test | $1,300-1,625 | - |
Reedsville, Wis. (12-7-23) | $1,200-1,800 | $900-1,150 | $50-70 |
Pipestone, Minn. (12-21-23) | $2,350-2,600 | $2,200-2,350 | No test |
New Holland, Pa. (11-29-23) | $1,925-2,300 | $1,950-2,025 | $50-90 |
