Milk production in the U.S. in June totaled 16.67 billion pounds just 0.9 percent above June of last year and the smallest year-over-year increase this year. The nation’s dairy herd increased 66,000 cows to 9.24 million head and production per cow increased just 8 pounds from a year ago to 1,804. That is by far the smallest production per cow increase of the year as the summer heat started to show up in the bulk tank.

Production in the 23 major dairy states increased 1 percent from a year ago totaling 15.54 billion pounds in June. Those dairy states added 57,000 cows to their herd but production per cow increased a mere 7 pounds to average 1,827. Here too, the smallest production-per-cow increase of the year. Two of the 23 states, Washington and Virginia saw no change in production compared to June of last year. Five states, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas saw a decline while the other 16 saw an increase.

California milk production in June totaled 3.52 billion pounds up 0.3 percent from a year ago. The Golden State dairy her increased 14,000 cows to 1.78 million head while production per cow slipped 10 pounds to 1,975.

Wisconsin milk production increased 2.5 percent in June to 2.256 billion pounds. The Badger State added 6,000 cows to make the herd 1.27 million head and production per cow increased 35 pounds to average 1,775.

Rounding-out the top five: Idaho 1.15 billion pounds +1.5%: New York 1.095 billion pounds +1.4%: Pennsylvania 861 million pounds -1.9%.

For the April through June quarter total milk production was 2 percent higher compared to the second quarter of 2011.