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These are Wisconsin’s top cheeses, milks and butters according to state fair judges

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COURTESY WISCONSIN CHEESE MAKERS ASSOCIATION
Aaron Holbrook
By Aaron Holbrook
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Dairy manufacturers from throughout the state submitted over 500 entries for the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest, which took place June 19 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.

The contest featured over 50 classes for cheese, sour cream, butter, yogurt, milk and custard and among the winners are many dairy producers in Northeast Wisconsin.

The 2025 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 Aug. 7 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-related degrees and support the board’s interactive educational exhibits at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

The top entries in each class include:

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Mild Cheddar

  • Bill Hewins, Land O’Lakes, Kiel, Mild Cheddar Cheese, 99.185
  • Foremost Farms USA, Marshfield, Mild Cheddar, 98.910
  • Dillon Sylla, Associated Milk Producers Inc., Blair, AMPI Mild Cheddar, 98.525

Aged Cheddar

  • Matt Handrich, Agropur, Weyauwega, Cheddar, 99.600
  • Charles Henn, Agropur, Weyauwega, Cheddar, 99.575
  • Ronald Balazs, Land O’Lakes, Kiel, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 99.550

Colby, Monterey Jack

  • Widmer’s Cheese Team, Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, Inc., Theresa, Natural Colby Cheese, 99.185
  • Allen Knowlton, AMPI, Jim Falls, Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese Blend, 98.840
  • William Hanson, Arena Cheese, Arena, Colby Jack Deli, 98.790

Swiss Style

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  • Mark Grossen, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, Baby Swiss Cheese, 96.685
  • Sam Morhardt, Prairie Farms, Shullsburg, Prairie Farms Baby Swiss Wheel, 95.210
  • Mark Grossen, Prairie Farms, Shullsburg, Prairie Farms Baby Swiss Wheel, 91.700

Brick, Muenster

  • Ty Saglam, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Brick, 99.100
  • Ron Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Muenster, 98.950
  • Decatur Cheesemakers, Decatur Dairy, Inc., Brodhead, Muenster, 98.900

Mozzarella

  • Jeremy Robinson, Agropur, Luxemburg, Low Moisture Mozzarella Cheese, whole milk, 98.705
  • Kurt Premo, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Fresh Mozzarella-C Medallions, 98.595
  • Kurt Premo, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Fresh Mozzarella-B Ciliegini, 98.555

String Cheese

  • Jose Gonzalez, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC, Waterloo, Farmers Rope Skinny String Cheese Sticks, 99.345
  • Adam Kleuskens, Agropur, Weyauwega, Mozzarella String Cheese, 98.740
  • Sargento St. Cloud Team, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, String Cheese, 98.725

Blue Veined Cheese

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  • Team Kingston Creamery, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Premium Blue Cheese, 99.645
  • Almena Team, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Wauwatosa, Gorgonzola, 99.195
  • Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.-Mindoro, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.-Mindoro, Pasteurized Blue Veined Cheese, 98.675

Feta

  • Team Nasonville Dairy, Inc., Nasonville Dairy, Inc., Marshfield, Feta in Brine, 99.940
  • Kristi Wuthrich, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Feta in Brine, 98.940
  • Ariel Graveen, Agropur, Weyauwega, Traditional Feta Cheese, 98.535

Flavored Pepper Cheese

  • Allen Knowlton, AMPI, Jim Falls, White Cheddar Cheese with Habanero Peppers, 98.975
  • Dan Reed, V&V Supremo Foods, Browntown, Chihuahua Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers, 98.935
  • Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Jalapeno Gouda, 98.795

Flavored Soft Cheese

  • Justin Lowery, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Tomato & Basil Feta in Brine, 99.750
  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Vanilla Mascarpone, 99.700
  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Maple Mascarpone, 99.695

Flavored Semi-Soft Cheese

  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Dijon Hand Rubbed Fontal, 99.870
  • Team Meister, Meister Cheese, Muscoda, Garlic Pesto Jack, 99.735
  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Tuscan Hand Rubbed Fontal, 99.725

Smoked Cheese

  • Zach Schnieder, Arla Foods, Kaukauna, Smoked Gouda, 99.650
  • Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Smoked Gouda, 99.500
  • Ron’s Cheese Team, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, LLC, Kewaunee, Smoked Mozzarella String Cheese, 99.340

Flavored Hard Cheese

  • Kerry Henning, Deer Creek Cheese, Sheboygan, Deer Creek The Carawaybou, 98.750
  • Kerry Kenning, Deer Creek Cheese, Sheboygan, Deer Creek The Doe, 98.625
  • Team Satori, Satori Company, Plymouth, Espresso BellaVitano, 98.600

Smear Ripened Cheese

  • Team Emmi Roth-Monroe, Emmi Roth, Stoughton, Roth Grand Cru® Original Wheel, 99.525
  • Alpinage Cheese, Alpinage Cheese LLC, Oak Creek, Raclette, 99.375
  • Team Emmi Roth-Platteville, Emmi Roth, Stoughton, Roth Grand Cru® Reserve Block, 99.200

Cold Pack Cheese, Cheese Food

  • Marieke Gouda & Pine River Teams, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Honey Clover Gouda Cheese Spread, 99.935
  • Team Pine River, Pine River Prepack, Newton, Swiss & Almond Cold Pack Cheese Spread, 99.795
  • Rob Stellrecht, Burnett Dairy Co-op, Grantsburg, Cheddar & Gruyere Black Truffle, 99.765

Pasteurized Process Cheese, Cheese Food, Cheese Spread

  • Team Pine River, Pine River Prepack, Newton, Horseradish Gourmet Snack Spread, 98.520
  • AMPI’s Dinner Bell Creamery, Associated Milk Producers Inc., Portage, Pasteurized Processed Cheese Slice-Colored, 98.450
  • Team Revela Foods, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, Pasteurized Prepared American White Sliced Cheese, 98.025

Reduced Fat or Lite Cheese

  • Steve Webster, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Feta in Brine, 99.600
  • Ron Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Mediterranean Herb Feta in Brine, 99.345
  • Matt Erdley, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Tomato & Basil Feta in Brine, 99.090

Open Class – Soft and Spreadable Cheese

  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Mascarpone, 99.400
  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Mascarpone, 99.150
  • Schreiber West Bend Team, Cropp Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, Cream Cheese, 98.800

Havarti

  • Brett Riese, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Havarti, 99.000
  • Dave Buholzer, Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Buholzer Brothers Havarti, 98.900
  • Team Emmi Roth-Monroe, Emmi Roth, Stoughton, Roth Creamy Havarti, 98.800

Flavored Havarti

  • Steve Stettler, Decatur Dairy Inc., Brodhead, Havarti Dill, 99.700
  • Dennis Schneider, Arla Foods, Kaukauna, Jalapeno Havarti, 99.510
  • Decatur Cheesemakers, Decatur Dairy Inc., Havarti Dill, 99.400

Open Class – Semi-Soft Cheese

  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Fontal, 99.550
  • Nate Schweiner, Agropur, Weyauwega, Provolone, 98.650
  • Micah Klug, Foremost Farms USA, Appleton, Provolone, 98.250

Open Class – Hard Cheese

  • Chris Roelli, Roelli Cheese Co., Cheddar with sparse blue veins, 99.250
  • Lake Country Dairy, Lake Country Dairy Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Cello Asiago, 99.015
  • Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Golden, 99.000

Flavored Goat Milk Cheese

  • Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese, 99.685
  • Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, Lemon Bar Goat Cheese, 99.395
  • Franklin Team, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Wauwatosa, Hot Honey Flavored Goat Cheese, 99.220

Natural Goat Milk Cheese

  • Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, Original Goat Cheese, 99.300
  • Black Creek Team, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Wauwatosa, Goat Milk Cheddar, 99.200
  • Franklin Team, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Wauwatosa, Fresh Goat Chevre, 98.700

Latin American Cheese

  • Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, 4/4 Panela, 99.590
  • Steve Middendorf, V&V Supremo Foods, Browntown, Queso Oaxaca, 99.530
  • Scott Steinmetz, V&V Supremo Foods, Arena, Chihuahua Cheese, 99.455

Sheep & Mixed Milk Cheese

  • Cedar Grove Cheese Team, Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain, Fleance, 99.600
  • Cedar Grove Cheese Team, Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain, Juene Brebis, 99.550
  • Team Kingston Creamery, Kinston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Breezy Blue, 99.525

Gouda & Edam

  • Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Premium Gouda, 99.375
  • Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Reserve Gouda, 99.275
  • Marieke Gouda Team, Holland’s Family Cheese, LLC, Thorp, Super Aged Gouda, 99.050

Unflavored Cheese Curds

  • Decatur Cheesemakers, Decatur Dairy Inc., Brodhead, White Curd, 99.540
  • Matt Henze, Decatur Dairy Inc., Brodhead, White Curd, 99.375
  • Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese Crew, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, LLC, Kewaunee, Colored Cheddar Curds, 99.185

Flavored Cheese Curds

  • Widmer’s Cheese Team, Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, Inc., Theresa, Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Curds, 99.135
  • Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese Crew, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, LLC, Kewaunee, Garlic and Dill Flavored Colored Cheddar Cheese Curds, 99.050
  • Matt Henze, Decatur Dairy Inc., Brodhead, White Dill Garlic Curd, 99.045

Shredded Cheese

  • Great Lakes Cheese-Plymouth, Great Lakes Cheese, Plymouth, Shredded Pepper Jack, 99.265
  • Masters Gallery Foods, Inc., Masters Gallery Foods, Plymouth, Hot Pepper Jack Blend, 99.105
  • Great Lakes Cheese-Plymouth, Great Lakes Cheese, Plymouth, Shredded Italian Blend-Asiago, Mozzarella, Provolone, 98.725

Crumbled Cheese

  • Team LaClare, LaClare Creamery, LLC, Malone, Crumbled Honey Goat Cheese, 99.910
  • Steve Monacelli, Agropur, Weyauwega, Crumbled Feta Cheese, 99.780
  • Jacob Johnson, Agropur, Weyauwega, Crumbled Feta Cheese, 99.590

Salted Butter

  • Weyauwega Cheese, Sun Prairie, 99.600
  • Nancy’s Probiotic Foods, Chaseburg, 99.350
  • CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, La Farge, 99.150

Unsalted Butter

  • Weyauwega Cheese, Sun Prairie, 99.500
  • Nancy’s Probiotic Foods, Chaseburg, 99.150
  • Old World Creamery, Sheboygan, 99.100

Flavored High Protein Yogurt

  • Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Vanilla Greek Yogurt, 99.850
  • Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Peach Greek Yogurt, 99.800

Unflavored High Protein Yogurt

  • Klondike Cheese, Monroe, Odyssey Labneh, 99.650
  • Klondike Cheese, Monroe, Odyssey Greek Yogurt, 99.475

Open Class – Flavored Yogurt

  • Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Whole Vanilla Yogurt, 99.600
  • Klondike Cheese Co., Odyssey Whole Peach Yogurt, 99.000

Open Class – Unflavored Yogurt

  • Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Whole Fat Yogurt, 99.650

Drinkable Cultured Products

  • Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Low Fat Mango Kefir, 99.500
  • Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Low Fat Strawberry Kefir, 99.400
  • Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Low Fat Raspberry Kefir, 99.300

Open Class – Flavored Sour Cream

  • Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Jalapeno Sour Cream, 99.800
  • Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Chipotle Sour Cream, 99.650

Open Class – Unflavored Sour Cream

  • Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Cultured Sour Cream, 99.800
  • Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Acidified Sour Cream, 99.700
  • Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Sour Cream, 99.550

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, 99.775
  • Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Odyssey Reduced Fat Greek Tzatziki Dip, 99.700

Whole Fluid Milk – White

  • Lamers Dairy, Inc., Appleton, Whole White Milk, 99.700
  • Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, Whole White Milk, 99.500
  • Two Guernsey Girls Creamery LLC, Freedom, Whole White Milk, 99.400

2% Fluid Milk – White

  • Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, 2% White Milk, 99.800
  • Lamers Dairy, Appleton, 2% White Milk, 99.150

Whole Fluid Milk – Chocolate

  • Two Guernsey Girls Creamery LLC, Freedom, Whole Chocolate Milk, 99.600
  • Lamers Dairy, Inc., Appleton, Whole Chocolate Milk, 99.550

2% Fluid Milk – Chocolate

  • Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, 2% Chocolate Milk, 99.200

1% Fluid Milk – Chocolate

  • Lamers Dairy, Inc., Appleton, 1% Chocolate Milk, 99.500
  • Weber’s Farm Store, Marshfield, 1% Chocolate Milk, 98.650

Other Flavored Milk (Not Chocolate)

  • Two Guernsey Girls Creamery LLC, Freedom, Vanilla Latte Milk, 99.450
  • Two Guernsey Girls Creamery LLC, Freedom, Huckleberry Milk, 98.650

Unflavored Custard

  • Creamy Pig, Grafton, Plain Custard, 99.900
  • Barron County Organics DBA 20-Mile Organic, Barronett, Van Dutch, 99.500

Vanilla Custard

  • Barron County Organics DBA 20-Mile Organic, Barronett, Tahitian Treat, 99.800
  • Barron County Organics DBA 20-Mile Organic, Barronett, Vanilla Bean, 99.500

Chocolate Custard

  • Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Hollander Chocolate Velvet Saffron, 99.900

Flavored Custard

  • Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Dubai Knafeh Pistachio, 99.850
  • Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Blue Moon, 99.800
  • Creamy Pig, Cedarburg, Honey Lavender, 99.650

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