Prices for U.S. dairy cows – both for the beef market and as herd replacements – rose further in July, according to the USDA/NASS Ag Prices report.
In the case of cull cows, prices continue to set new record highs. Estimated U.S. July 2014 cull cow prices (beef and dairy combined) averaged $113.00/cwt. The average is up $7.00/cwt. from June’s revised estimate, and $30.30/cwt. more than July 2013. At that price, a 1,300-lb. cull cow is worth $1,469.
Year-to-date, the 2014 average cull cow price is $101.67/cwt., compared to $82.06 for the same period in 2013.
Meanwhile, replacement dairy cow prices jumped to their highest level in six years. U.S. quarterly replacement dairy cow prices averaged $1,970/head in July, up $160/head from April and $530 more than January.
July 2013 prices are not available due to budget sequestration, which limited USDA survey capabilities much of last year.
Current average prices are nearly equal to the July 2008 average of $1,990/head. The record high for any quarter was $2,020/head, set in October 2008.
Average prices ranged from a high of $2,000/head or higher in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin (see table).
| Quarterly average replacement dairy cow prices, January-July 2014 ($/head) | |||
| State | July 2014 | Jan. 2014 | Change |
| Arizona | 2,100 | 1,500 | 600 |
| California | 2,000 | 1,300 | 700 |
| Colorado | 2,200 | 1,540 | 660 |
| Florida | 1,900 | 1,560 | 340 |
| Idaho | 2,000 | 1,400 | 600 |
| Illinois | 1,860 | 1,500 | 360 |
| Indiana | 1,850 | 1,500 | 350 |
| Iowa | 1,990 | 1,450 | 540 |
| Kansas | 2,050 | 1,400 | 650 |
| Michigan | 1,950 | 1,650 | 300 |
| Minnesota | 1,950 | 1,410 | 540 |
| Missouri | 1,950 | 1,280 | 670 |
| New Mexico | 1,800 | 1,450 | 350 |
| New York | 1,800 | 1,430 | 370 |
| Ohio | 1,900 | 1,450 | 450 |
| Oregon | 1,880 | 1,350 | 530 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,950 | 1,500 | 450 |
| Texas | 2,000 | 1,450 | 550 |
| Utah | 1,850 | 1,350 | 500 |
| Vermont | 1,880 | 1,570 | 310 |
| Virginia | 1,890 | 1,520 | 370 |
| Washington | 1,950 | 1,350 | 600 |
| Wisconsin | 2,100 | 1,570 | 530 |
| U.S. | 1,970 | 1,440 | 530 |
| Source: USDA NASS Ag Prices report, July 31, 2014 | |||
