WASHINGTON — Milk production in the 23 major producing states totaled 16.4 billion lbs in May, up 2.1% from May 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest Milk Production report.

Milk production for April was revised to 16 billion lbs, up 3.5% from April 2011 and an increase of 38 million lbs from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

May production per cow in the 23 major states averaged 1,924 lbs, up 22 lbs from May 2011. There were 8.52 million dairy cows on farms during the month, 77,000 head more than in May 2011 but 3,000 less than April 2012.