US dairy herds: Go big or go home

The latest statistics of the USDA semi-annual cattle report indicate that milk producers in the US are ready to get bigger and better. The report released last week includes survey-based estimates of US dairy cows, replacement heifers and heifers expected to calve within the next year. Growth in the number of cows was expected on the back of last year’s good milk prices in the US and moderate feed prices, which have prompted producers to expand their herds.

As of 1 January 2015, the number of milk cows for the previous year was estimated at 9 307 million, up 99 300 (1%) from 1 January 2014. Dairy replacement heifers were at 4 615 million, up 66 700 from a year ago.

1. Of those total dairy replacement heifers, 2 997 million are expected to calve in 2015, up 30 500 from 2014. As of 1 January 2015, 32,2 replacements were expected to calve in 2015 for every 100 cows in the US herd, which is similar to a year ago. The USDA’s semi-annual cattle report includes beef and dairy cattle inventory estimates based on January 2015 surveys of about 38 200 livestock operations across the US. To read more, click HERE.