The Southeastern U.S. dairy industry has been contracting rapidly as many in dairy circles are aware. As the 2024 USDA dairy statistics have been released and Hoard’s Dairyman has tracked the pace of these statistics for many years, the numbers have shown the move of cows and herds out of this region of the U.S. over the decades.

There is something different about 2024 that should be noted regarding the resilience of the industry of the Southeastern U.S. While the region had 1,255 herds tallied in 2024 numbers, accounting for approximately 5% of the herds and the same percentage of the cows in the U.S., the Southeast lost the fewest number of herds in 2024. This area lost only 100 herds from the previous year; 50% fewer herds lost when compared to any region in the country. The West was the closest in the decline of herds, losing 215 herds last year.

This would be a fact worth mentioning in any year, but especially when looking back at 2024. Leading into last year, forecasters accurately predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. From June, when Alberto formed, to November when Sara dissipated, there were 18 named storms, including seven tropical storms and 11 hurricanes (five of which were major hurricanes: Beryl, Helene, Kirk, Milton, and Rafael). As we witnessed after many of this year’s storms, it only takes one event to cause massive damage.

Not every hurricane mentioned made landfall on U.S. soil, but many did, and Helene was especially devastating, leaving a 500-mile path of destruction. Helene delivered a broad and deadly swath of rain to Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. The dairies and all involved in agriculture were impacted by this as unimaginable devastation hit areas that often don’t see the impact of hurricane and tropical storm rainfall and damage.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will officially start on June 1, lasting through November 30, with early predictions of an average season. While it is hard telling what the year will bring, many in the Southeast will continue to cleanup and rebuild from the impacts of the 2024 season. The dairy farm families of this region have shown their strength in the face of these tragic weather events; cows will continue to be fed and milked while farmers are doing what needs to be done to prepare for what Mother Nature may have in store for the upcoming year.