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

Nonfat dry milk production in March was 135,576,000 lbs, up slightly from March 2008 and up 10% from February 2009. Output of skim milk powders was 24,432,000 lbs, down 29% from the previous year but up 8% from the previous month.

Manufacturers’ stocks of edible nonfat dry milk on March 31 were 185,579,000 lbs, up 22% from the previous year but down 2% from the previous month.

Total dry whey production was 92,303,000 lbs, down 6% from March 2008. Production of lactose was 59,224,000 lbs, down 8%, and total whey protein concentrate production was 33,840,000 lbs, down 6% from March 2008, the U.S.D.A. said. Dry buttermilk outturn was 5,771,000 lbs, down 5% from a year ago.

Total manufacturers’ stocks of dry whey on March 31 were 53,320,000 lbs, down 23% from the previous year, including 51,299,000 lbs for human use, down 22%, and 2,021,000 lbs for animal use, down 42%. Whey protein concentrate stocks totaled 36,559,000 lbs, down 10% from the previous year. Total lactose stocks were 86,757,000 lbs, up 6% from the previous year. Dry buttermilk stocks were 5,209,000 lbs, down 51% from last year.

Butter production in March was 145,252,000 lbs, down 4% from March 2008 and down slightly from February 2009.

Cheese production in March totaled 870,692,000 lbs, up 4% from the previous year and up 13% from February 2009.

Production of regular hard ice cream in March was 75,355,000 gallons, down 1% from the previous year. Low-fat ice cream production was 35,534,000 gallons, up 6% from the previous year.