Hoard's visit to Mexico

We were among 1,100 people from around the world that descended on Mexico City for the annual summit of the International Dairy Federation. You could not imagine a more diverse industry gathering. In the trade show, massive grain combines were displayed across the aisle from machines that fill yogurt cups and cow mats were displayed amid booths that offered samples of every imaginable dairy product from around the world.

Topics covered by speakers were just as diverse. They ranged from future world dairy prices to use of methane digesters and from dairy products' role in human health to how peasant farmers in poor countries can make and market their own dairy products.

It was clear at the summit that dairy farmers and dairy companies around the world are hurting now. The big question was how soon things would improve. No one was placing any bets, but the consensus seemed to be that the situation will be dark for at least another six months or more.