Rate Of Milk Production Slows In Wis., Minn.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Even though several states are increasing their rate of milk production faster than Wisconsin is, the Dairy State remains firmly in the nation's No. 2 spot.

Wisconsin produced 2 billion pounds of milk last month. While that's an increase of 10 million pounds from the same month last year, it amounts to just a 0.5 percent increase.

At least six other states saw higher rates of growth, ranging from 2 percent in California to 9 percent in Texas. Nationwide, milk production increased 2 percent to 14 billion pounds.

One of the few states to register a decrease was Minnesota. It produced 704 million pounds of milk last month, a 1 percent drop.

As usual California led the nation in milk production, harvesting 3.2 billion pounds in February.

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