The Utah Farm Bureau has announced Dr. Brian Steed and Brett Stuart as additional keynote speakers for its upcoming leadership conference, January 26-27, at the Dixie Center in St. George, Utah.

Dr. Brian Steed is no stranger to Utah Farm Bureau members as he has been a key leader in the management of Utah's natural resources. Steed will be speaking on the issues Utah agriculture related to the current drought and potential public policy implications at the state and national levels.

Brett Stuart will review key factors driving global cattle and beef markets, including a look at weather patterns, hay prices, dairy markets, and beef herd inventories around the world. He will also talk about opportunities with China and outline expectations for global demand and prices.

Biographical information on the two speakers is below. For more information and to register, please click HERE. Additionally, the Utah Hay & Forage Symposium will be taking place just prior to the leadership conference in St. George. Those who register for that conference will receive a discount code to also attend the Utah Farm Bureau Leadership Conference.


Dr. Brian Steed

Brian Steed was recently named as the first executive director for the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air at Utah State University. The new Institute was created in 2021 in response to Gov. Spencer Cox's request to increase collaboration and partnership between the state and Utah's researchers on natural resource issues.

A native of Logan, Utah, Steed attended USU, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in political science. He also holds a Ph.D. in public policy with an emphasis in environmental policy from Indiana University Bloomington and a J.D. from S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, with a certificate in natural resources and environmental law.

Previously, Steed had been serving as executive director of Utah's Department of Natural Resources, having been appointed to that role in 2019. Prior to leading Utah DNR, Steed previously served in Washington, D.C., as the Bureau of Land Management’s deputy director for policy and programs, exercising the authority of the director from 2017-2019. Before that, he served as chief of staff to Congressman Chris Stewart from 2013-17. Steed has also served as the deputy county attorney for Iron County and taught political science and economics at USU.


Brett Stuart

Brett Stuart is the other founding partner of Global AgriTrends. He was formerly employed by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) as their lead economist. In this capacity he conducted numerous research and analysis projects in the global meat trade area as well as advising U.S. trade officials on international meat access issues. As part of these responsibilities Mr. Stuart conducted on-the-ground meat industry research around the globe.

Prior to his work with the federation, Mr. Stuart was the Assistant Manager of Marketing for AgReserves, Inc, and was heavily involved with a variety of livestock marketing strategies.

Mr. Stuart’s specific international market research includes:

  • Co-authored, “The vital role of science in global policy decision-making: an analysis of past, current, and forecasted trends and issues in global red meat trade and policy”. International Congress of Meat Science and Technology Journal, 2005.
  • He was involved in committee work and was the supporting economist for the Farm Foundation’s report, “The Future of Animal Agriculture in North America” (2006).
  • Market analysis and recommended strategies for U.S. meats in the Japan, S. Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Australia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Morocco.
  • Research and recommendations for revisions to the Japan gate price system for pork.
  • Joint planning and cooperation with Mexican meat producers to build meat consumption in Mexico.
  • Ongoing close analysis and projections of African Swine Fever (ASF) losses in China and globally, including expectations for the global protein sectors.

Mr. Stuart was raised on a cattle ranch in Utah and also worked as a financial controller in the agriculture industry. Brett received a undergraduate degree in accounting at Utah State and an MBA from the University of Nebraska. He currently lives near Preston, Idaho on a small farm with his wife, Amanda, and their five children.