People across the globe know Brett Stuart as the go-to mind for global protein trends, famous for his sharp data, honest delivery and on-the-ground market research. But his grounded perspective wasn't born in a high-rise office—it was forged on a cattle ranch out West.

When his father passed away from cancer at age 57, Brett faced a defining crossroads. Armed with a fresh accounting degree, he crunched the numbers and made the agonizing decision to sell the cows. He will never forget what it felt like to stand in their corral as eight semis pulled out of the driveway. That raw, emotional experience gave him an enduring empathy for family farmers making high-stakes decisions when the math gets tough.

From auditing mega-dairies and potato operations to embarking on international trade missions with Nebraska’s governor and launching Global AgriTrends 20 years ago, Brett shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career.

Together, Shike and Stuart tackle the biggest headwinds facing the pork complex today:

• The Margin Crunch: Why the U.S. pork industry is currently producing below break-even despite remarkable, world-class productivity gains over the last 30 years.
• Global Competitors & Trade Flows: How climate and welfare policies are forcing European production into decline, why China and Brazil are wading through liquidation, and where the U.S. holds distinct competitive advantages in Mexico and Japan.
• The Retail Dilemma: Why $3.50/lb. pork loins sit 20 steps away from $18–$20/lb. beef ribeyes—and what outside-the-box innovation the swine sector needs to capture consumer willingness to pay.
• Prop 12 & State Mandates: Why preserving consumer choice is paramount and why legislating production practices across state borders hurts both producers and shoppers.
• Family, Faith & Staying Grounded: Longtime friend and economist Joseph Kerns shares what makes Brett uniquely humble, while Brett opens up about life with his wife Amanda, raising five kids, and why you can never let your family be the rope you let slip.

Whether you’re looking to make sense of the economic runway for the next 12 to 18 months or seeking a reminder of the purpose behind production agriculture, this episode offers an honest, grounded look at the global markets and the people who drive them.