WASHINGTON — Milk production in the 23 major producing states totaled 14 billion lbs in November, down 1% from the same month of 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest Milk Production report. It was the fifth consecutive month milk production was below the same month a year ago.

In November, production per cow in the 23 major producing states averaged 1,679 lbs, which was 25 lbs above November 2008. Additionally, there were 8.31 million dairy cows on farms in the 23 states, which was 209,000 head less than in November 2008 and 6,000 head less than in October 2009.

Milk production for October was revised to 14.3 billion lbs, down 12 million lbs from last month’s preliminary production estimate.