Seventeen states including New Mexico, Minnesota, Arizona and Idaho reduced production a combined 176 million pounds.

Prices for U.S. replacement dairy cows reached an all-time high in July, according to latest quarterly estimates from the USDA. Meanwhile, average cull cow prices increased in June, setting a new record high for a second consecutive month.

With a leap day adjustment in February 2024, monthly U.S. milk production has now been lower than the same month a year earlier for 12 consecutive months.

Led by New Mexico, California, Georgia, Arizona and Kansas, 16 states reduced May 2024 milk production a combined 237 million pounds compared to the same month a year ago.

The USDA revised the March 2024 milk production estimate slightly higher. With the revisions, both U.S. and major state U.S. production were up about 0.4% from USDA’s preliminary estimates a month earlier.

Quarterly average prices in April reached the same peak of $2,120 per head as seen in October 2014.

Monthly dairy cull cow market trends downward in early 2024.

The USDA revised the February 2024 milk production estimate slightly lower. With the revisions, both U.S. and major state U.S. production were down about 0.1% from USDA’s preliminary estimates a month earlier.

Year-over-year U.S. milk production was up 2.2% in the February USDA report. However, with February 2024 containing an extra day due to “leap year,” the adjusted number is closer to -1.1% on a daily basis.

2023 annual milk production was down 98 million pounds compared to the 2022 total. However, annual total milk production has increased 9.9% from 2014.