Feeding a rapidly growing global population is an enormous challenge. Livestock ownership and production is common in all economies, and demand for animal products grows as economic standards rise, suggesting that livestock will remain an integral component of worldwide food production systems. To achieve global food security, resources used for livestock production must be managed efficiently and sustainably. Current North American (NA) livestock numbers are decreasing or stable, reflecting greater market weight and production efficiency of individual animals and stable or decreased demand for products in NA. Exports of NA livestock products, largely to middle- or upper-income countries, have increased steadily in recent years. Rebuilding animal numbers in some NA livestock segments (e.g., beef cows) will be challenging, which could diminish growth potential. Consolidation in the NA livestock industry has been extensive, which could limit or redirect investments in production infrastructure. Urbanization of agricultural land, increasing regulation, consumer concerns for food safety and environmental effects of livestock production, and a general backlash against technology-based approaches to increase animal growth and efficiency are obstacles to increased production in NA. Challenges associated with climate (e.g., increased drought, decreasing water for irrigation, and shifts in crop production and availability of traditional feedstuffs) are likely but difficult to predict. With these obstacles and challenges, what role will NA livestock production systems play in meeting global food needs? Exporting livestock products should remain an important feature of the NA role, but expansion could be limited by trade issues and will likely continue to focus on developed countries. A potentially significant role for NA to play in meeting worldwide food production needs is to provide leadership in research and development related to sustainable livestock production systems that fit economies and cultures in developing nations. This will require renewed national commitments to support agricultural research and a recognition of the historical and cultural importance of livestock production.