March Culling Slows Slightly--or Has It?
Dairy farmers sent 4,000 fewer dairy cows to slaughter in March compared to year earlier levels, the United States Department of Agriculture announced this afternoon.
Keep in mind, though, there was one more business day in March 2012 compared to March 2013. On that basis, about 400 head/day more cows were marketed in March this year. Culling on a daily basis was also running about 100 head more in March 2013 than February 2013.
Year-to-date, some 27,000 more cows have been slaughtered than in 2012. That’s about a 3.4% increase.
The full report can be read here.