Dutch cow cull could affect beef trade as much as dairy market

The cull of 160,000 cows which started in the Netherlands on March 1 will cut Dutch milk production this year by 6-10%, and will add 0.61% to annual EU beef production.

Dutch milk production will dip temporarily in 2017, but will gradually resume its increase, starting from 2018, according to a United States Department of Agriculture assessment of the country’s plan to cull 160,000 cows, which started on March 1.

The cow cull will therefore only temporarily improve the EU dairy market — and it could depress the EU beef trade this year.