Milk output in 23 largest producing states


WASHINGTON — Milk production in the 23 largest producing states totaled 16,897 million lbs in May, up 3.7% from April and up 1.5% from May 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest Milk Production report. Production per cow averaged 1,976 lbs, up 3.3% from April and the highest May average since the U.S.D.A. began the 23-state series in 2003. There were 8,552,000 dairy cows in the 23 states, up 10,000 head from April. The top 23 states account for 93% of U.S. milk production, which was estimated at 18.1 billion lbs in May.