Increase in Dairy Cow Cull Rates Amidst Declining Milk Prices

The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) has reported a 4% rise in dairy cow culling from September to February compared to the same period the previous year. This increase translates to about 8,000 additional dairy cows being culled. Typically, dairy cows make up more than half of the national cull cow figures.

Senior livestock analyst Becky Smith from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) noted that the rise in cull numbers aligns with declines in milk prices, which have pressured dairy farmers economically. While the dairy sector has seen this increase, culls from the suckler beef herd have remained relatively stable.

The data highlights the economic pressures faced by dairy farmers during the winter months, leading to increased culling as a cost-saving measure. The stability in beef herd culls suggests differing market dynamics between the dairy and beef sectors.