Some Udder Stuff

Henning Cheese named 2026 Grand Master Cheesemaker

Dairy manufacturers, supporters and enthusiasts gathered at the Saz’s Hospitality Pavilion at Wisconsin State Fair Park on Thursday evening, August 13 for the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction and the announcement of the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair Grand Master Cheesemaker. Henning Cheese won the coveted title with a winning entry of 18-month traditional waxed cheddar. The entry scored 99.175 in the aged cheddar class.

In addition to announcing the Grand Master Cheesemaker, the grand champion dairy products were also announced at the event.

Grand Champion Butter: Salted butter, made by Foremost Farms of Middleton.

Grand Champion Sour Cream: Odyssey Reduced Fat Greek Mediterranean Dip, made by Klondike Cheese Co of Monroe.

Grand Champion Yogurt: Odyssey Whole Vanilla Yogurt, made by Klondike Cheese Co of Monroe.

Grand Champion Milk: Whole Fluid White Milk made by Lamer’s Dairy of Appleton

Grand Champion Custard: Browned Butter Peach Streusel made by The Creamy Pig of Grafton.

Each blue ribbon entry from the dairy products contest sold during the auction, which raised $55,515 for student scholarships and dairy promotion at the state fair.

Leading off the auction was twelve pounds of Henning Cheese 18-month traditional waxed cheddar which sold for $6,600 to DR Tech.

The Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board is made up of individuals passionate about promoting Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy industry during the Wisconsin State Fair. Providing educational opportunities for attendees with its informative Cow to Cream Puff display, interactive Dairy Lane exhibit, and cow and goat milking demonstrations while managing the Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill, Dairyland Shake Shop, and Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction to raise funds for dairy promotion and education at Wisconsin State Fair, as well as funds for scholarships for students pursuing careers in the dairy industry. Volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information, visit wsfdairypromo.org or follow @WSFDairyPromoBoard on Facebook and Instagram.

Minnesota land values hold steady, but sales volume dips

Minnesota farmland values have held firm despite lower farm incomes, with low sales volumes limiting supply, according to a new report from Compeer Financial.

Compeer’s latest report, Farmland Value Trends: Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, shows that land values have levelled off in 2026 but remained resilient across all types of cropland.

What has changed is the number of sales. Across the three states, sales volume was consistent in recent years at about 2,800 transactions per year from 2021-2024. In the most recent period, that dropped to about 1,680.

“Land values have been resilient despite some challenges in the ag market,” said Jeremy Fluegge, Certified Appraiser at Compeer in Minnesota. “But with a lower volume of sales, those values could start to move up or down with the broader farm economy.”

In south-central Minnesota, high-quality cropland has sold for $11,500-$13,500 per acre. Stronger markets have posted some sales in the $14,000-$15,000 range, according to the report.

“People are paying for productive land,” Fluegge said. “With fewer sales, competition helps keep those prices strong.”

Fall and year-end auctions will be key benchmarks in seeing whether the recent resiliency in land values holds steady, according to the report.

In the three-state area of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, Illinois is seeing similar resiliency, with land values holding steady, while Wisconsin has experienced a year-over-year value increase, in part due to strong demand from dairy operations.