MADISON, WIS. — Ahead of the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest, event host Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) opened an early window for dairy manufacturers and processors to enter the biennial competition.

WCMA shared that companies may submit entries for cheeses, yogurts, sour creams and dry dairy ingredients through Dec. 13 to receive a special entry discount.

The organization said feedback from the dairy industry and category growth led to expanding entry classes for the 2025 competition, which will include sour cream, low fat sour cream and cultured dairy dips among its 117 categories.

“The technicality, scale and prestige of the US Championship Cheese Contest are unmatched,” WCMA contest director Kirsten Strohmenger said. “We’re excited to offer this unique opportunity for dairy businesses to showcase their craftsmanship, improve their products and earn recognition for their hard work.”

Entries may be submitted through Jan. 31, 2025. All the products will be evaluated March 4-6, 2025, at Resch Expo in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In 2023, the competition received 2,249 entries from 197 dairy businesses in 35 states. An aged gouda from Arethusa Farm Dairy emerged as the champion.

More details regarding the 2025 US Championship Cheese Contest are available online at the event’s website.