Replacement prices dip; cull prices rise

California, Missouri report lowest average replacement cow prices

With milk prices headed lower, U.S. average prices for replacement cows also fell slightly in April, according to USDA’s Ag Prices report.

Replacement prices averaged $1,420 head in April, down about $20/head from January 2012, but $20 more than April 2011. Among major dairy states, average prices ranged from a high of $1,600/head in Michigan and Vermont to lows of $1,300/head in California and Missouri.

Cull cow prices continue to climb

Monthly average cull cow prices (beef and dairy combined) continue to climb. Based on USDA’s April Ag Prices report, prices averaged $84.90/cwt., likely the highest on record. The April 2012 average is up 70¢ from the revised March 2012 estimate ($84.20/cwt.) and $6.00 more than April 2011 ($78.90/cwt.).

The April 2012 average puts the beef value of a 1,200-lb. cull cow at nearly $1,020/head.