USDA’s most recent monthly dairy data shows that the number of milk cows declined in July for the second month in a row, after increasing month-over-month since July 2020. The expansion started after the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which hit during the “spring flush” in April, May, and June, when dairy purchase programs sparked rebounding Class III milk prices. Despite the month-over-month drop in July 2021, total dairy cows at 9.5 million head, were 102 percent of July 2019 and 101.4 percent of July 2020.

Additionally, milk production per cow in July was up 11 pounds, or 0.5 percent compared to July 2020. Per cow production has been higher in 2021 compared to 2020 for every month except February – whi...