Eighteen judges have been selected for the 2006 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. This contest — the only one of its kind in the United States —is expanding for the fourth year in a row.

This year, buttermilk, whipping cream, sherbet, sour cream-based dips and additional whey categories have been added to the contest. This inclusiveness makes the contest unique as the only national judging contest for all dairy products in the United States.

The competition officially began on July 17, when contest brochures were mailed out to dairy companies throughout the United States. In August, contest entries were submitted for judging to take place throughout September.

Winning entries will be auctioned off at World Dairy Expo, October 3 to 7 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. For more information, contact WDPA at (608) 836-3336.