My international program emphasizes management of and net economic returns from the livestock component of mixed farming systems in developing countries, especially Latin America and Africa. Teaching, training, outreach, development and research constitute an integral strategy. These efforts are exemplified through the university leadership that I provide as Director of the Latin American Studies Program and the USAID-funded TIES-Mexico grant (Decision Support of Ruminant Livestock Systems in the Gulf Region of Mexico). Program objectives are to train scientists by investigating options to improve productivity, net economic returns and sustainability of the livestock component of farming systems in developing countries. Parallel objectives are to disseminate this information to students, trainees, international collaborators and other decision makers.