Wisconsin proved its reputation as the Dairy State again, with a record setting amount of cheese produced last year.

Almost 2.5 billion pounds of cheese was produced in the state during 2006, according to a release by Gov. Jim Doyle. Wisconsin similarly accounted for 26 percent of the national cheese market during the same period, the release said.

“Everyone knows where the best cheese comes from,” Doyle said.

Wisconsin is also a leader in the specialty cheese market. In 2006, specialty cheese production increased by 26 million pounds in the state, equating to roughly 45 percent of the national specialty cheese market.