The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest “Milk Production” report showed that milk production in the 23 major states during April totaled 17.2 billion lb., up 2% from April 2016. Total milk production in the U.S. during April totaled 18.3 billion lb., also up 2% from April 2016.

USDA revised March production to 17.6 billion lb., up 1.9% from March 2016. The March revision represented an increase of 30 million lb., or 0.2%, from the preliminary production estimate.

USDA reported that production per cow in the 23 major states averaged 1,967 lb. for April, which was 20 lb. more than last April. This was the highest production per cow for the month of April since the 23-state series began in 2003, USDA said.

Production per cow for the whole U.S. averaged 1,949 lb. for April, 24 lb. more than April last year.

USDA said the number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major states was 8.72 million head, an increase of 81,000 head from April 2016 and 8,000 head more than March 2017. The total number of milk cows on farms in the U.S. was 9.39 million head -- 69,000 head more than April 2016 and 8,000 head more than March 2017.