MADISON, WIS. — Ahead of the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest, organizers from the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) said this year’s competition will feature 2,414 dairy products.

With 117 classes covering not only cheese, but also butter, cultured dairy, and dry dairy ingredients, US dairy businesses from 31 states submitted products for the biennial competition.

WCMA contest director Kirsten Strohmenger said the number of entries shows how significant the contest is to US dairy manufacturers.

“When shoppers spot the prestigious contest seal on a winning product, they recognize it as a mark of exceptional quality and craftsmanship, earned through the expertise of our judges and the competition’s rigorous technical standards,” Strohmenger said. “We’re proud to offer this platform for dairy processors of all sizes to elevate their products and grow their businesses.”

Industry experts will evaluate products and score them on flavor, body, texture, color, finish, packaging and other attributes during the preliminary rounds of judging March 4 and 5, at Resch Expo in Green Bay, Wis.

The three highest-scoring products in each category will receive gold, silver and bronze medals. Following the championship round judging, the 2025 US Champion will be announced live on the event’s website on March 6, at 2 pm CT.

An aged gouda from Arethusa Farm Dairy won the contest in 2023.