WASHINGTON — December production of nonfat dry milk was up while production of skim milk powders was down from a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest

Nonfat dry milk production in December was 155,340,000 lbs, up 15% from November 2008 and up 43% from December 2007. Output of skim milk powders was 17,793,000 lbs, down 52% from the previous year but up 8% from the previous month.

Manufacturers’ stocks of edible nonfat dry milk were 206,499,000 lbs, up 26% from the previous year.

Total dry whey production was 91,237,000 lbs, down 7% from the previous year. Production of lactose was 60,639,000 lbs, up 2%, and total whey protein concentrate production was 36,396,000 lbs, up 3% from December 2007, the U.S.D.A. said. Dry buttermilk outturn was 6,568,000 lbs, down 4% from a year ago.

Total manufacturers’ stocks of dry whey on Dec. 31 were 65,563,000 lbs, down 3% from the previous year, and included 62,917,000 lbs for human use, up 1%, and 2,646,000 lbs for animal use, down 49%. Whey protein concentrate stocks totaled 37,186,000 lbs, up 27% from the previous year. Total lactose stocks were 96,773,000 lbs, up 40% from the previous year. Dry buttermilk stocks were 9,921,000 lbs, down 40% from the previous year.

Butter production in December was 155,779,000 lbs, up 10% from December 2007 and up 17% from November 2008.

Cheese production in December totaled 856,946,000, up 1% from the previous year and up 4% from November 2008.

Production of regular hard ice cream in December was 54,918,000 gallons, up 3% from the previous year. Low-fat ice cream production was 22,643,000 gallons, up 2% from the previous year.