Figures released by the US Department of Agriculture show that monthly US exports of dairy cattle fell to the second lowest total of the year in August, and the second lowest monthly total in more than six years.

Total exports of female dairy cattle were 557 head. This is the fourth time monthly exports fell below 1,000 head in 2015, the first time that has happened since 2009.

Mexico was the leading export market in August, taking 481 head, with 49 going to Canada.

US female dairy cattle exports total 13,090 for the year to date, the lowest January-August exports since 2009.

August exports were valued at $1.23m, and the year to date figure is $32.66m

While exports of live cattle were down, exports of dairy embryos were at the highest monthly level of the year. August exports were totalled 768, with over 30% going to Brazil, and about 100 going to France and the UK. For the year to date, 3,707 embryos have been exported.

US exports of dairy embryos in August were valued at $737,000, bringing the year to date total to $3.98m.