The cull cow price reached a new record high of $113 per cwt.
The preliminary July 2014 All-Milk price received by U.S. dairy producers rose to $23.40 per cwt., USDA said Thursday in its latest Agricultural Prices report.
That’s up 20 cents from last month and $4.30 higher than July 2013. The July index for dairy products, at 116, increased 0.9% percent from June 2014 and is 22% higher than July 2013.
States receiving the highest prices for all milk were:
1. Florida - $27.90 per cwt.
2. Virginia - $26.20
3. (tie) Pennsylvania and Vermont - $25.10
4. Oregon - $24.90
5. New York - $24.70
Nationwide, prices received for milk cows climbed to $1,970 per head, up from $1,810 in April. Colorado and Arizona saw the highest prices for milk cows, each averaging $2,000 per head this month. The cull cow price reached a new record high of $113 per cwt., up $7 from June and up $31.70 from the previous year.
Across the board, prices are higher for cattle, milk, hogs, broilers, calves, eggs, and turkeys, compared with a year ago, USDA said. Producers received lower prices for corn, soybeans, broilers, and wheat.
The corn price, at $3.80 per bu., is down 69 cents from last month and $2.99 below July 2013. Sorghum grain, at $7.16, is 37 cents below June and $2.47 lower than July 2013. The soybean price, at 12.70 per bu., fell $1.70 from June and $2.60 below year-ago levels.
USDA reported the average alfalfa hay price received by farmers nationwide reached $216 per ton, down from June’s $222, but up from $209 in July 2013.
