“We were absolutely thrilled with this year’s contest,” said Brad Legreid, WDPA executive director. “We achieved a record number of 415 entries for the 2008 contest, which translates into an average growth of 30% for each of the contest’s first six years. To grow this quickly, in such a short period of time, is a direct reflection of the enthusiastic support the U.S. dairy industry has shown toward this contest.”
“It is extremely gratifying to see how the industry has embraced this contest and shown its support by making it the third-largest dairy contest in the United States,” Legreid says. “Dairy companies, which manufacture products previously not eligible for traditional cheese and butter contests, are very excited about the opportunity to compete in a national all-dairy contest. It affords the first-place winners unprecedented opportunities to promote and market their successful achievements.”