WASHINGTON — Milk production in the 23 major producing states totaled 15.2 billion lbs in March, down .2% from the same month of 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest

In March, production per cow in the 23 major producing states averaged 1,788 lbs, which was 6 lbs below March 2008. Additionally, there were 8.48 million cows on farms in the 23 states, which was 15,000 head more than in March 2008 but 4,000 head less than February 2009.

Milk production for February was revised to 13.6 billion lbs, down 2.7% from February 2008 and a decrease of 23 million lbs from last month’s preliminary production estimate.