Amidst light trade through the December holidays, Holstein springer values mostly held their month-over-month values to round out 2021. Pennsylvania saw the month’s high at $1,700 per head, while springer prices in Wisconsin have posted anemic values as low as $500 per head for months on end.
Atten Babler Commodities noted recent upticks in dairy cow slaughter rates contributed to the November 2021 U.S. milk cow herd finishing 122,000 head below recently experienced 26-year-high levels. After that wild ride, the U.S. milk cow herd sized is now the smallest it has been in 15 months. Meanwhile, feed prices and dairy commodity values continue to soar, with Daily Dairy Report noting that butter prices hit a 4-year high in early January.
| Springing Heifers | Heifer Calves | |
Location (sale date) | Supreme/Top | Approved/Medium | 90-120 pounds |
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Turlock, Calif. (12-10-21) | No test | $1,000-1,200 | - |
Reedsville, Wis. (12-16-21) | $700-1,300 | $500-650 | $25-50 |
Jerome, Idaho (12-8-21) | $1,200-1,290 | $1,070-1,200 | No test |
New Holland, Pa. (12-29-21) | $1,450-1,700 | $975-1,400 | $20-30 |
