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 09/12/2008
Swiss Valley Farms took home top honors at the 2008 Illinois State Fair Cheese Judging contest in Springfield. Smiles were all around for the cheese makers from Swiss Valley Farms' Luana, Iowa cheese plant who had the top score on their Champion Swiss cheese, made by Rod Kregel and team at the Luana plant.
Rod Kregel is very humble with his achievements. "This was a team effort," Rod said. "Rick Kirkeburg ran the cheese vat that day. The whole Luana plant works together to make award-winning Swiss cheese day in and day out."
The prize-winning cheese was auctioned off at the Sale of Champions during the Illinois State Fair for a record price of $600. All of the Land of Lincoln grand champions were resold more than once, with part of the proceeds going to emcee Orion Samuelson's scholarship for students enrolled in the University of Illinois' College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. "Winning the Illinois State Champion Award for Swiss is yet another indicator of the quality and talent we have in our Luana cheese production," said Troy Gascoigne, Vice President of Operations of Swiss Valley Farms. "The high quality milk that comes into our plant from Swiss Valley Farms member-owners allows our highly skilled cheese makers, led by Rod Kregel, to produce award-winning cheese."
Swiss Valley Farms was encouraged to submit product to this contest by Midwest Dairy Association. "Understanding the knowledge, effort, management and dedication that goes into the manufacturing of Swiss cheese made the judges Grand Champion selection easy," said Marla Behrends, Industry Relations, Midwest Dairy Association.
Midwest Dairy Association's continued involvement at the Illinois State Fair is possible through dairy producer's check-off dollars. "If you don't notice the dairy industry's presence at the Illinois State Fair, you aren't looking very hard," said Behrends. Our
industry is a big part of the action."
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