Replacement Costs Make Tough Culling Decisions

An article by Audry Schmitz on Progressive Dairy

After a steady decline in cow slaughter, dairy producers are starting to see a shift in culling decisions. The high cost of replacement heifers has made it difficult to justify culling cows, but that trend is beginning to change. Recent numbers show more cows moving to slaughter again over last year’s numbers.

Based on the latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data released on May 21, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April 2026 was estimated at 215,100. While down 24,100 from March, it was 7,900 more than April 2025.

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