The Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA), Middleton, Wis., announced the Grand Champion Winners in the 2018 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Contest. The winners include:

• A Private Reserve wheel cheese made by Emmi Roth USA, Fitchburg, Wis. — the Cheese and Butter Grand Champion.
• A whole-chocolate milk from Prairie Farms Dairy, Somerset, Ky. — the Grade A Grand Champion.
• An old-fashioned vanilla ice cream produced by Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Madison, Wis. — the Ice Cream Grand Champion.

This year’s contest, sponsored and conducted by WDPA, received a near-record number 1,402 entries. The entries included cheese, butter, fluid milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, sour cream, sherbet, cultured milk, sour cream dips, whipping cream, whey and creative/innovative products from dairy processors throughout North America, WDPA said.

“This year’s contest has once again surpassed all expectations,” said Brad Legreid, executive director, WDPA. “As the only dairy product contest of its kind, this special event promotes the entire dairy industry and its wide spectrum of nutritious and flavorful dairy products.

“Everyone benefits from this contest, including the 1st place winners, all participating companies, food banks and college students pursuing dairy careers,” he added. This contest is a complete win-win for everyone in the dairy industry.”

Judging was held Aug. 21-23 at MATC Culinary Arts School in Madison, Wis.

On Oct. 2, the contest’s auction will be held at World Dairy Expo in Madison, at which time all category 1st place winners across numerous dairy categories will be auctioned off. A portion of the proceeds from the contest auction will be used to fund scholarships awarded annually to deserving students pursuing careers in the dairy industry. For more information about the contest and auction, call 608-836-3336.