WASHINGTON — Milk production in the 23 major producing states totaled 15.5 billion lbs in May, up 0.2% from the same month of 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest

In May, production per cow in the 23 major producing states averaged 1,828 lbs, which was 9 lbs above May 2008. Additionally, there were 8.47 million cows on farms in the 23 states, which was 25,000 head less than in May 2008 and 10,000 less than in April 2009.

Milk production for April was revised to 14.9 billion lbs, up 0.1% from April 2008 and an increase of 10 million lbs from last month’s preliminary production estimate.