Based on latest USDA monthly data released May 22, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April 2025 was estimated at 207,200. While up 10,700 from March, it was 31,000 fewer than April 2024 and the lowest April total since 2006.
April 2024 had 26 non-holiday weekdays and Saturdays while March 2025 also had 26 days. Slaughter averaged 8,000 head per business day this year, 1,200 lower from a year earlier.
Weekly slaughter in 2025 continues to follow long-term trends. Through the week ending May 10, weekly dairy cow slaughter has trailed year-earlier levels in 18 of 19 weeks. Since September 2023 and through the week ending May 10, weekly dairy cow slaughter has now trailed year-earlier levels for 86 of 88 weeks, with a total decline of nearly 541,700 head over that period.
The USDA estimated there were 9.425 million dairy cows in U.S. herds in April 2025, up 5,000 head from the March estimate and putting the April culling rate at about 2.2% of the herd. Based on the monthly data, year-to-date (January-April) dairy cull cow slaughter now stands at about 889,900 head, down 95,800 from the same period a year ago and the lowest four-month total to start the year since 2008.