Rate of milk production slows in Wis., Minn.

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.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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