The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that milk production in the 23 major states during August totaled 17.2 billion lb., up 1.4% from August 2017. July production was also revised to 17.3 billion lb., a 0.5% increase from July 2017. The July revision represented an increase of 16 million lb., or 0.1%, from last month's preliminary production estimate, USDA said.

Production per cow in the 23 major states averaged 1,974 lb. for August, 28 lb. above August 2017. USDA said this is the highest production per cow for the month of August since the 23-state series began in 2003.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 states was 8.74 million head, 3,000 head less than in August 2017 but 4,000 head more than in July 2018.

Total August milk production in the U.S. also rose 1.4% year over year to 18.3 billion lb., USDA reported. Production per cow in the U.S. averaged 1,946 lb. for August, 27 lb. above August 2017. The number of milk cows on farms was 9.40 million head, 4,000 head less than in August 2017 but 5,000 head more than in July 2018.