US dairy herd set to expand (UK)

The US dairy herd is expected to average 9.5 million head in 2021, according to the latest USDA forecast. This is an expansion of 1.1% (107,000 head) on the 2020 herd. This comes as US cow numbers have increased in recent months, climbing 16,000 head in April on the previous month. Meanwhile, slaughter levels have been relatively low, running below those seen last year. In 2021, higher feed costs and slightly lower milk prices are anticipated to level off herd numbers in the second half of the year. Average milk per cow is expected to increase 1.2% year-on-year at 10.6 thousand litres. This is a slight downward revision from the previous forecast, driven by ...