The 18th annual World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest auction was held on Sept. 28 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. The contest’s sponsor, the Middleton, Wis.-based Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA), said the auction raised $36,817.00.

"This year's contest had a near-record of 1,400 entries," said Brad Legreid, executive director, WDPA. "These entries encompassed a full-range of dairy products submitted by a comprehensive collection of dairy plants throughout North America. This contest keeps growing at an unprecedented rate as more dairy processors experience, first-hand, its myriad benefits."

The 93 first place winners received their trophies at the Sept. 28 auction and will have unique opportunities to market and promote their award-winning products, WDPA said. A portion of the auction proceeds will be used to fund the Dr. Robert L. Bradley Scholarship, Wisconsin Dairy Products Association Scholarship and MATC Culinary Foundation Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to deserving students pursuing careers in the dairy industry.

WDPA said it will also use a portion of the proceeds to fund a major sponsorship of the National Collegiate Dairy Product Judging Contest. Product donations have also been made in the past to the MATC Culinary Arts School, the University of Wisconsin Food Science Department, the Ronald McDonald House and River Food Pantry.

Click here to view the contest results.