Gifford’s Dairy, Skowhegan, Maine, was selected as the Grade A and Ice Cream Grand Champion (sponsored by Dairy Foods) of the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest.

Gifford’s Dairy, Skowhegan, Maine, was selected as the Grade A and Ice Cream Grand Champion (sponsored byDairy Foods) of the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. This year’s contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA), received a record number of 655 entries for cheese, butter, fluid milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, sour cream, sherbet, cultured milk, sour cream dips, whipping cream, dried whey and creative/innovative products from throughout the United States.

“It is extremely gratifying to see how dairy manufacturers have embraced this contest,” says Brad Legreid, executive director of WDPA. “Due to the tremendous support from dairy companies throughout North America, the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest has averaged an amazing 30% annual rate of growth over its first eight years. This is a phenomenal level of growth for a relatively new contest. This growth is a direct reflection of the high level of interest that dairy processors have in entering the only judging contest of its kind in North America. Because this contest is all encompassing, dairy manufacturers have the unique opportunity to compete in a prestigious, all-dairy national

contest.”Judging was held on August 17 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Babcock Hall and August 18 and 19 at the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Culinary School. These locations proved to be very successful venues for the contest judging.  “MATC and UW were very supportive of this contest,” says Legreid.

On September 28, the contest’s auction will be held at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., at which time all category 1st place winners will be auctioned off. A portion of the proceeds from the September 28 contest auction will be used to fund the Dr. Robert Bradley Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student pursuing a career in the dairy industry. The auction will begin at 5:00pm and will feature Doug Wilson, Cooperative Resources International, as the auctioneer.  For more information on the contest and auction, call 608/836-3336.