About
Burnett Dairy
Honest, Everyday Artisan Cheese
The Burnett Dairy® brand delivers exceptional craftsmanship, passion and excitement to the dairy case – we call it Everyday Artisan™ because it elevates the everyday cheese experience with inspired quality and flavors. All cheeses are natural, fresh and made with pride in a place called Grantsburg. Discover the flexibility, quality control and honest, award-winning solutions only a true Wisconsin dairy cooperative can offer.
Burnett Dairy cheeses:
Plain String Cheese
Smoked String Cheese
3 Cheese Blend Shred
5 Cheese Blend Shred
Yellow Cheddar Shred
Yellow Cheddar/Monterey Jack Shred
Part Skim Mozzarella Shred
Our History
Great cheese has an origin story.
1890s
Burnett Dairy Cooperative has its roots in the Branstad and Wood River creameries located in northwest Wisconsin, which boast a long tradition of serving dairy producers. The Branstad Creamery was the third creamery in Burnett County and started operations in May 1897.
Burnett Dairy Cooperative commenced operations in June 1896 and continues to make the Fancy® brand established by Wood River Creamery.
1960s
In the 1960s, the creameries decided to merge and begin the more profitable venture of creating cheese. They focused on Mozzarella and Provolone in particular. In 1966, the two creameries were closed and Burnett Dairy Cooperative was formed at the Alpha location (named after its Alpha De Laval cream separator). The facility was converted to cheese manufacturing with the assistance of a $25,000 grant from the State of Wisconsin.
2010s
In 2013, Burnett Dairy Cooperative acquired Cady Cheese Factory in Wilson, WI. Cady Cheese Factory has a great history of cheesemaking going back to early 1900's with the first known cheesemaker hired in 1908. Cady is known for its many varieties of longhorn cheeses as well as its small batch specialty cheeses.
Today
Honored with many worldwide, national and statewide awards, Burnett Dairy Cooperative continues to produce high quality cheese products. We produce a wide range of cheeses for retail and foodservice use. In addition to producing and selling award-winning cheese, our 295 employees also work hard to provide the latest crop, feed, fuel and animal health services to our farmers.
Who We Are
Board of Directors
Established by the area dairy farmers in 1896, Burnett Dairy Cooperative today provides goods and services for farms, the residential public, and other businesses.
Our board of directors consists of seven farmers who are member-owners of Burnett Dairy Cooperative.
Burnett Dairy Cooperative Board of Directors (effective December 13, 2023)
Kyle Mathison
Chairman, (2024)
Brian Anderson
Director, (2025)
Grant Gausman
Director, (2024)
Roy Grewe
Director, (2025)
Ted Johnson
Director, (2025)
Jeff Peterson
Director, (2026)
Tiffany Moulton
Director, (2026)
(Date indicates the year their term expires.)