The Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA) announced the three Grand Champions of the 2023 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest.

Grand Champion of Cheese and Butter went to Lake Country Dairy/Shuman Cheese’s Cello Artisan Parmesan; Grand Champion of Grade A went to Norman, Okla., Hiland Dairy’s 2% white milk; and Grand Champion of Ice Cream went to Country View Dairy Farmstead Creamery’s Raspberry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt.

The national competition, held over three days, received products from 43 states. Products in 96 classes included ice cream, gelato, cheese, yogurt, butter, sour cream, fluid milk, whipping cream, cottage cheese, dairy dips, whey and dried milk. There is also a class for creative and innovative products, a class that continues to grow each year.

“All three grand champions really brought incredible products to the competition; they have a lot to be proud of,” said Amy Winters, WDPA executive director. ”Each of the classes had so many great products. These champions really set a very high bar.”

 “It is an indescribable feeling and an honor to have our Cello Artisan Cooper Kettle Parmesan cheese selected as the grand champion cheese! Lake Country Dairy – Schuman Cheese takes great pride in the hard Italian cheese we make at our plant in Turtle Lake, Wis. For contests we pride ourselves on entering the exact cheeses we sell to our customers every day. This is a great honor for all the employees at the plant that make this possible by their dedication, passion and hard work. I am extremely proud of our team,” said Gary Gosda, plant manager at Lake Country Dairy.

 “We are incredibly proud that our 2% white milk, produced here in Norman, was named the Grade A Grand Champion at the 2023 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. Our milk beat out other flavorful dairy products in the category, like dips, sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese. This is a testament to our commitment to taste, quality, and freshness, proving our milk is the best of the best,” said Ron Clark, general manager, Hiland Dairy, Norman, Okla.

Dave Rapson, owner of Country View Dairy Farmstead Creamery added: "We are greatly honored and humbled by this news of our Raspberry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt winning Grand Champion in the ice cream category this year. We know there are many great ice cream makers in this competition. This didn't happen overnight; our frozen yogurt recipe has been a labor of love and team effort and makes all of our hard work every day worth it. Kudos to our team of dedicated employees in the creamery!"