Lower milk prices have prompted lower dairy cow prices over the last three months. The USDA National Ag Statistics Service says the average dairy cow price in the U.S. as of January 31st was $1,990 down $130 from the end of October.
California saw the biggest decline with the average dairy cow dropping $400 from October to $1,800 at the end of January. That is the lowest price among the 23 major dairy states.
Wisconsin milk cows averaged $2,160 down $60 from October.
There were some exceptions as the expanding dairy herd in Michigan saw prices increase $100 to $2,200 by the end of January, the highest of the 23 major dairy states. Neighboring Ohio, Indiana and Illinois each saw a $50 increase from October to $2,100.
For the year; the average U.S. dairy cow price was $1,830 compared to $1,380 for 2013.