Gifford’s Dairy, Skowhegan, Maine, was selected the Ice Cream Grand Champion in the World Dairy Expo (WDE) Championship Dairy Product Contest. It is the third consecutive year for the ice cream maker. Dairy Foods is the sponsor of the Ice Cream Grand Champion award. (Read more about Gifford's.)

Woolrich Dairy, Lancaster, Wis., was selected as the Cheese and Butter Grand Champion, Upstate Niagra Co-op, Buffalo, N.Y. was selected as the Grade A Grand Champion.

Roger Gifford (left) and his brother John, with some of their awards and ice cream.

This year’s contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA), received a record number of 720 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 North America (including a couple of international entries).

“It is amazing 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 a 20% annual rate of growth over its first ten years. This is unprecedented growth for a dairy product 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.”

On Oct. 2, the contest’s auction will be held at World Dairy Expo in Madison, at which time all the first place winners in their categories will be auctioned off. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be used to fund the Dr. Robert Bradley Scholarship and Wisconsin Dairy Products Association Scholarship.

Download a complete list of winners.