Dairy manufacturers from throughout the state submitted over 500 entries for the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest, which took place June 18 in the Dairy Building at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. The contest featured over 50 classes for cheese, sour cream, butter, yogurt, milk and custard.
The 2026 Grand Master Cheesemaker, Grand Champion Butter, Grand Champion Yogurt, Grand Champion Sour Cream, Grand Champion Milk and Grand Champion Custard will be announced at the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction on Thursday, August 13 at The Wisconsin State Fair Park. The Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board. Auction proceeds fund scholarships for students pursuing dairy- or food science-related careers and support the board’s interactive educational exhibits at Wisconsin State Fair Park.
Top Entries:
Mild Cheddar
Dakota Larson, AMPI, Jim Falls, White Cheddar, 99.655
Tim Stearns, Land O’Lakes, Kiel, Cheddar, 99.585
Joshua Henning, Henning Cheese, Kiel, Cheddar, 99.445
Aged Cheddar
Joshua Henning, Henning Cheese, Kiel, 18-month Traditional Waxed Cheddar, 99.175
Joshua Henning, Deer Creek Cheese, Sheboygan, The Imperial Buck by Deer Creek, 98.745
Joshua Henning, Deer Creek Cheese, Sheboygan, The Stag by Deer Creek, 98.565
Colby, Monterey Jack
Dakota Larson, AMPI, Jim Falls, Blend of Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese, 99.675
Cedar Grove Cheese Team, Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain, Monterey Jack, 99.365
Cedar Grove Cheese Team, Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain, Marble Colby, 99.310
Swiss Style
Mark Grossen, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, Baby Swiss Cheese, 98.555
Sam Morhardt, Prairie Farms, Shullsburg, Prairie Farms Baby Swiss Wheel, 98.385
Matt Henze, Decatur Dairy, Inc., Brodhead, Golden Swiss, 97.090
Brick, Muenster
Ron Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Brick, 98.825
Steve Stettler, Decatur Dairy, Inc., Brodhead, Muenster Cheese, 98.100
Pat White, Foremost Farms, Appleton, Muenster 98 1021,98.025
Mozzarella
Kurt Premo, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Fresh Mozzarella-B, 99.600
Kurt Premo, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Fresh Mozzarella-C, 99.390
Jessica Dehne, Agropur, Weyauwega, Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella, 99.270
String Cheese
John Rupslauk, Sargento Foods, Inc., Plymouth, Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella String Cheese, 99.150
Adam Kleuskens, Agropur, Weyauwega, Part Skim Mozzarella String Cheese, 98.900
Jose Gonzalez, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Farmers Rope Skinny String Cheese Sticks, 98.850
Blue Veined Cheese
Team Kingston Creamery, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Premium Blue Cheese, 98.550
Team Emmi Roth-Seymour, Emmi Roth USA, Inc., Stoughton, Roth Gorgonzola, 98.225
Team Kingston Creamery, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Gorgonzola, 98.125
Top Entries Continued:
Feta
Ron Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Traditional Feta in Brine, 99.445
Kristi Wuthrich, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Traditional Feta in Brine, 98.750
Adam Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Traditional Feta in Brine, 98.645
Flavored Pepper Cheese
Allen Knowlton, AMPI, Jim Falls, Monterey Jack with Jalapeno Peppers, 99.340
Joshua Henning, Henning Cheese, Mango Fire Cheddar, 99.050
Allen Knowlton, AMPI, Jim Falls, Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers, 98.490
Flavored Soft Cheese
Kurt Premo, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Chocolate Mascarpone, 99.750
Kurt Premo, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Marinated Fresh Mozzarella, 99.350
Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Maple Mascarpone, 99.345
Flavored Semi-Soft Cheese
Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Hand Rubbed Tuscan Fontina, 99.515
Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Hand Rubbed Sweet Onion Fontina, 99.350
Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Hand Rubbed Black Pepper Roasted Garlic Fontina, 99.345
Smoked Cheese
Pat White, Foremost Farms, Appleton, Smoked Provolone 195 169, 99.355
Ron’s Cheese Team, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, LLC, Kewaunee, Smoked Mozzarella String Cheese, 99.240
Matt Erdley, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Smoked Gouda, 99.235
Flavored Hard Cheese
Team Sartori, Sartori Company, Plymouth, Hatch Chile BellaVitano, 99.840
Team Sartori, Sartori Company, Plymouth, Lemon Dill BellaVitano, 99.810
Joshua Henning, Henning Cheese, Kiel, Tomato Basil Cheddar, 99.525
Smear Ripened Cheese
Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Monteau, 99.625
Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Valis, 99.400
Team Emmi Roth-Monroe, Emmi Roth, Stoughton, Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix Wheel, 98.900
Top Entries Continued:
Cold Pack Cheese, Cheese Food
Masters Gallery Foods Team, Masters Gallery Foods, Plymouth, Rebel Kent Amber Ale Beer Cheese, 99.850
Team Pine River, Pine River Prepack, Newton, Swiss & Almond Cold Pack Cheese, 99.775
Marieke Gouda & Pine River Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Honey Clover Marieke Gouda Spread, 99.325
Pasteurized Process Cheese, Cheese Food, Cheese Spread
CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, Yellow American Cheese Slices, 99.250
CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, White American Cheese Slices, 98.275
AMPI’s Dinner Bell Creamery, Associated Milk Producers, Inc., Portage, Pasteurized Processed Cheese Slice-Colored, 98.225
Reduced Fat or Lite Cheese
Tim Kempf, Agropur, Weyauwega, Lowfat Feta, 98.900
Nathan Forseth, Agropur, Weyauwega, Lowfat Feta, 98.275
Kristi Wuthrich, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Mediterranean Herb Feta in Brine, 98.240
Open Class – Soft and Spreadable Cheese
Ricardo Gutierrez, Hoards Dairyman Farm Creamery, Fort Atkinson, Camembert Style Cheese, 99.300
Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Cello Mascarpone, 99.195
Lake Country Dairy, Lake County Dairy Schuman Cheese, Cello Mascarpone, 99.045
Havarti
Matt Henze, Decatur Dairy, Inc., Brodhead, Havarti, 99.835
Ron Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Harvarti, 99.600
Decatur Cheesemakers, Decatur Dairy, Inc., Brodhead, Havarti, 99.430
Flavored Havarti
Steve Bechtolt, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Dill Havarti, 99.350
Matt Erdley, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Dill Havarti, 98.950
Steve Stettler, Decatur Dairy Inc., Brodhead, Havarti Dill, 98.900
Top Entries Continued:
Open Class – Semi-Soft Cheese
Lake County Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Fontina, 99.500
Chalet Cheese, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Monroe, Butterkase, 99.275
Willow Creek Team, Union Star Cheese, Fremont, Triple Cream Camembert, 99.200
Open Class – Hard Cheese
Ron Henningfeld, Hill Valley Dairy, East Troy, Luna, 99.595
Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Marieke Golden, 99.530
Chris Roelli, Roelli Cheese Co., Shullsburg, Cheddar with sparse blue veins, 99.510
Flavored Goat Milk Cheese
Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, LaClare Creamery Lemon Bar, 99.440
Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, LaClare Creamery Ube, 99.245
Franklin Team, Saputo Cheese USA, Inc., Milwaukee, Honey Goat Cheese, 99.065
Natural Goat Milk Cheese
Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, LaClare Creamery Original Goat Cheese, 98.820
Franklin Team, Saputo Cheese USA, Inc., Milwaukee, Plain Goat Cheese, 98.545
Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, LaClare Creamery Aged Goat Cheddar, 98.520
Latin American Cheese
Andy Rufener, V&V Supremo Foods, Browntown, Queso Blanco, 99.395
Sabrosura Foods Team, Sabrosura Foods, Monroe, Queso Fresco, 99.295
Victor Martinez/Brian Mundt, Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Fresco, 99.245
Sheep & Mixed Milk Cheese
Cedar Grove Cheese Team, Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain, Donatello, 99.290
Team Kingston Creamery, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Breezy Blue, 99.045
Justin Snyder, Carr Valley Cheese, Baraboo, Sheep Milk Cheese, 98.920
Gouda & Edam
Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Marieke Gouda Premium, 99.730
Steve Bechtolt, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Gouda, 99.630
Matt Erdley, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Gouda, 99.595
Top Entries Continued
Unflavored Cheese Curds
Joshua Henning, Henning Cheese, Kiel, Cheese Curds, 99.425
Shullsburg Creamery Team, Prairie Farms, Shullsburg, Colored Cheese Curds, 99.410
Widmer’s Cheese Team, Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, Inc., Brick Cheese Curds, 99.325
Flavored Cheese Curds
Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese Crew, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, Kewaunee, Garlic & Dill Cheddar Cheese Curds, 99.535
Matt Henze, Decatur Dairy, Inc., Brodhead, Herb & Garlic Cheese Curds, 99.390
Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese Crew, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, Kewaunee, Cheddar Cheese Curds with Red & Green Jalapenos & Habaneros, 99.370
Shredded Cheese
Masters Gallery Foods Team, Masters Gallery Foods, Plymouth, Artisan Cheese Shred Blend with Swiss & Gruyere Cheese, 99.445
Masters Gallery Foods Team, Masters Gallery Foods, Plymouth, Colby Jack Cheese Shred, 99.440
Masters Gallery Foods Team, Masters Gallery Foods, Plymouth, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 99.250
Crumbled Cheese
Team Kingston Creamery, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Blue Cheese Salad Blend, 99.400
Nathan Forseth, Agropur, Weyauwega, Crumbled Traditional Feta, 99.335
Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, LaClare Creamery Original Goat Cheese Crumbles, 99.025
Top Entries Continued:
Salted Butter
Foremost Farms USA, Middleton, 99.350
CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, 99.300
Royal Guernsey Creamery, Columbus, 99.150
Unsalted Butter
Royal Guernsey Creamery, Columbus, 99.150
CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, 99.050
Nordic Creamery, Westby, 98.950
Open Butter
Royal Guernsey Creamery, Columbus, 99.150
Nordic Creamery, Westby, 97.950
Carr Valley Cheese, Baraboo, 97.545
Flavored High Protein Yogurt
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Vanilla Greek Yogurt, 99.400
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Peach Greek Yogurt, 99.200
Unflavored High Protein Yogurt
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Labneh, 99.200
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Greek Yogurt, 98.300
Open Class – Flavored Yogurt
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Whole Vanilla Yogurt, 99.550
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Whole Peach Yogurt, 99.100
Open Class – Unflavored Yogurt
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Whole Fat Yogurt, 99.600
Drinkable Cultured Products
Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Low Fat Raspberry Kefir, 99.100
Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Low Fat Strawberry Kefir, 98.750
Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Low Fat Mango Kefir, 97.100
Top Entries Continued:
Open Class – Flavored Sour Cream
Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Cilantro Limon Cream, 99.800
Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Crema Estilo Oaxaca, 99.700
Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Chipotle Sour Cream, 99.500
Open Class – Unflavored Sour Cream
Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Crema Natural, 99.800
Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Mexicana Table Cream, 99.650
Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Sour Cream, 99.600
Low Fat Sour Cream
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Greek Mediterranean Feta Dip, 99.800
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Greek French Onion Dip, 99.500
Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Greek Tzatziki Dip, 99.400
Whole Fluid Milk – White
Lamers Dairy, Inc., Appleton, Whole White Milk, 99.800
Two Guernsey Girls Creamery LLC, Freedom, Whole A2 White Milk, 99.050
Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, White Milk, 98.950
2% Fluid Milk – White
Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Reduced Fat Milk, 99.800
Lamers Dairy, Inc., Appleton, 2% Reduced Fat Milk, 99.700
Whole Fluid Milk – Chocolate
Two Guernsey Girls Creamery LLC, Freedom, Whole A2 Chocolate Milk, 99.700
Farm Stapels, LLC, Cedar Grove, Whole Chocolate Milk, 99.500
Lamers Dairy, Inc., Appleton, Whole Chocolate Milk, 99.450
2% Fluid Milk – Chocolate
Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk, 99.050
1% Fluid Milk – Chocolate
Lamers Dairy, Inc., Appleton, 1% Lowfat Chocolate Milk, 98.400
Other Flavored Milk (Not Chocolate)
Farm Stapels, LLC, Cedar Grove, Cowpuccino Milk, 99.250
Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Strawberry 1% Milk, 99.200
Two Guernsey Girls Creamery LLC, Freedom, A2 Huckleberry Cream Milk, 99.100
Unflavored Custard
Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Moo Juice, 99.250
Vanilla Custard
Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, I’m Vanilla Baby, 99.400
Flavored Custard
Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Browned Butter Peach Streusel, 99.650
Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Strawberry Rhubarb, 97.950
Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Space X, 97.700
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