In the deserts of western Iraq, a new development project rises out of the sand. Today, our mission is evaluating the site and writing these comments in the form of a progress report.

A dairy producer may occasionally ask, “Why is my community against me?” Of course, angry residents will always attack a dairyman about his level of environmental stewardship or animal care. However, on a local level, a large dairy can also have socioeconomic impacts producers should not ignore.

When I was an undergraduate student at Northern Arizona University, my friends and I went to a restaurant and ordered food. After we finished, we realized that we didn’t have money to leave a tip. We were poor and struggling students so we decided to write a note of appreciation instead. It was a simple note of thanks for the food and the service.

The work of reconstruction and development in failing states, like Iraq and Afghanistan, is difficult. The U.S. Government (USG) implements a policy of counterinsurgency; the U.S. military assumes the lead for defense, and in general the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, develop the policy for implementing diplomacy and development, respectfully.

This issue’s theme is finances and business planning. Given all that has happened in the dairy industry this year, it’s a topic few want to face.

At every dairy conclave this year, the matter of milk protein concentrates (called MPCs) has become a major talking point. MPCs are any type of concentrated milk that contains 40 to 90 percent milk protein. In simple terms, they are manufactured by extracting and drying the protein from raw milk and have been used in the manufacture of numerous products, both dairy and non-dairy.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy path.” (Proverbs 3:5) I have always loved this scripture from Proverbs. It is a comfort and a compass all at the same time.

I am in travel status as of this writing. With increasing frequency, I am drawn to military locations outside Baghdad.

Just before World Dairy Expo, I had the pleasure of attending the Energy Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure short course in Madison, Wisconsin.

I’m most recently impressed by examples of producers and allied industry organizations doing due diligence to defend the dairy industry and its future.