MADISON - Area cheese factories were among the winners of the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. Judging days were Aug. 16-18 with products auctioned Oct. 4 during the World Dairy Expo in Madison.

There were 74 product classes, including cheese, butter, fluid milk, and whipping cream. Area winners include:

Category: Open Class Soft Cheese

- Second place: Lactalis USA, Belmont, Brie Log, 99.825 points

Category: Open Class Semi-Soft Cheese

- First place: Babcock Hall Dairy Plant (Gary Grossen), Madison, Gouda- Cheese and Butter Grand Champion, 99.5 points

- Third: Emmi Roth USA, Monroe, Valfino, 99.25 points

Category: Swiss

- First place: Chalet Cheese Co-op, Monroe, Baby Swiss, Wheel, 99.35 points

Category: Brick, Muenster

- First place: Babcock Hall Dairy Plant (Gary Grossen), Madison, Brick, 99.7 points

Category: Feta

- Second place: Feta Lactalis USA, Belmont, 99.1 points