USDA reported this morning that 238,000 dairy cows were slaughtered through Federally inspected plants in March, 23,000 head more than a year ago, or roughly an 11% increase. But March culling lagged February 2009 levels by 5,000 cows, even though March had two more business days in which plants were in operation.
For the first quarter of 2009, culling is up 98,000 head to 763,000 cows, nearly a 15% jump from 2008. For the complete report, go to: www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/lstk0409.txt
