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Cream Rises
Dairy Field has long extolled the ability of this industry to continually develop new products to meet consumers’ changing demands for great taste, convenience, wellness and a host of other wants and needs.
Just as important — probably even more so, in
fact — is the ability of a processor to turn out a consistently
delicious and high-quality product time after time after time. Not only
does this ensure repeat use and brand loyalty, but it reflects well on the
ability of the industry as a whole to meet consumers’ needs.
Which is why the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy
Product Contest is such a great thing. It puts processors to the ultimate
test — to make sure they’re manufacturing the best products
they possibly can make. The contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Dairy
Products Association, judges products in nearly every category, from milk
and cheese to ice cream and cultured products. New categories this year
include drinkable yogurt and whey-based energy drinks.
The contest began in 2003 in conjunction with the
annual World Dairy Expo, with just 100 entries in 17 cheese and two butter
classes. In just a few short years, the competition has attracted
processors from all over North America, swelling the number of entries to
340 in 2006. Growth of 40 to 60 percent each year has made it the
third-largest dairy product contest in the United States.
As such, I’m proud to announce that this year, Dairy Field will become the
sponsor of the contest’s Grand Champion Award for Grade A Products
and Ice Cream, one of two grand awards given in addition to 40 first-place
trophies for each category winner. Entries will be judged in early
September.
The awards will be presented at World Dairy Expo in
Madison, Wis., on October 2, when all product category winners will be
auctioned off to the highest bidders. I hope to see you there.
Deadline to enter the contest is August 17. For
information on how to enter, visit www.wdpa.net or call (608) 836-3336.
Word arrived shortly before press time of the passing
of John D. Utterback, founder of the All Star Dairy Association. A full
obituary will appear in our August issue. Meanwhile, our condolences go out
to his family, friends and colleagues in the industry.
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