WASHINGTON — Milk production in the 23 major producing states totaled 14.6 billion lbs in August, down 0.2% from the same month of 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest

Milk Production report.

In August, production per cow in the 23 major states averaged 1,743 lbs, which was 25 lbs above August 2008. Additionally, there were 8.37 million dairy cows on farms in the 23 states, which was 143,000 head less than in August 2008 and 28,000 head less than in July 2009.

Milk production for July was revised to 14.8 billion lbs, down 13 million lbs from last month’s preliminary production estimate and down slightly from July 2008.