As of this writing, I have completed my first full year in Iraq. My supervisors in Washington D.C. and here at the U.S. Embassy have added an additional four months on to my deployment. We have several developmental projects underway, and because they were built during my watch, I am to see them through.

This is one of my favorite issues of the year. In addition to the annual insertion of a free dairy stats poster, we delve into some of the industry's hottest topics, including national changes to dairy price policy, predictions for when the milk check will cover costs and when to sell the cows and get out.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all?”

Today’s economy is leading many families and small business owners to make some difficult financial decisions.

At least once each year we specifically discuss the topic of cow comfort. This is one of those issues. Our tradition for the last three years has been to feature cover photos from dairies where our editors have personally observed exceptional cow comfort. Dairies that have been featured in the past include Hoffland Dairy in Clayton, Michigan, and Milk Unlimited Dairy Farms in Atlantic, Iowa.

The early 18th century saw a social upheaval in England. Historians estimate that half of the population depended in part upon charity to survive. A class war was very much in place. Early in that century, Parliament legislated capital punishment for servants who stole. At the same time, some rich were themselves into theft.

Our first issue of 2010 really stands out, doesn’t it? There’s more to the magazine than just its new glossy pages. This is the first issue to be distributed separate from Progressive Dairyman. It’s also the first issue to be sent to some of you in packs of 5 or 10 magazines. We think you will find the extra copies useful. Please let us know if you need even more copies by filling out the circulation form on the inside back page and faxing it back to us.

The work of agricultural development requires coordination with many levels of government and non-government organizations.

Back in the Dark Ages when I was in college, I was talking to someone about raising teenagers. He said, “Teenagers who commit suicide don’t feel that they are not loved; they simply feel that they are not needed.” I have pondered that statement every time I’ve heard of the untimely and senseless death of a teenager. I wonder if they felt that they were not needed.