Allan Barber

Allan Barber notes that 2024 was yet another tough year for the capital intensive red-meat processing industry. He suggests the cooperatives make it hard for themselves by not being as disciplined as they should be with procurement

Allan Barber notes that 2024 was yet another tough year for the capital intensive red-meat processing industry. He suggests the cooperatives make it hard for themselves by not being as disciplined as they should be with procurement

Allan Barber reports Alliance sees a return to profit, but no salvation from endemic underperformance. Too much debt, and a history of not resolving that, brings the banks back into the driver's seat

Allan Barber reports Alliance sees a return to profit, but no salvation from endemic underperformance. Too much debt, and a history of not resolving that, brings the banks back into the driver's seat

Allan Barber points out the sort of damage the 'dinosaur' views of some in the rural sector could do if they won the argument to abandon our climate commitments. It would be a spectacular trade own-goal

Allan Barber points out the sort of damage the 'dinosaur' views of some in the rural sector could do if they won the argument to abandon our climate commitments. It would be a spectacular trade own-goal

Allan Barber wonders what makes most sense for the red meat livestock sector in a future of uninspiring demand and low returns

Allan Barber wonders what makes most sense for the red meat livestock sector in a future of uninspiring demand and low returns

Allan Barber bemoans the red meat sector’s record of failure to develop a promotional strategy that works and stick to it

Allan Barber bemoans the red meat sector’s record of failure to develop a promotional strategy that works and stick to it

Allan Barber says overcapacity in older South Island processing facilities is bringing a reckoning, challenges the red meat sector must face even though regulatory roll-back is taking place

Allan Barber says overcapacity in older South Island processing facilities is bringing a reckoning, challenges the red meat sector must face even though regulatory roll-back is taking place

Allan Barber says other than a white knight emerging, Alliance will have to rely on the tolerance of its bankers, more focus on costs and working capital, and praying for a substantial improvement in market conditions

Allan Barber says other than a white knight emerging, Alliance will have to rely on the tolerance of its bankers, more focus on costs and working capital, and praying for a substantial improvement in market conditions

Allan Barber says the red meat processing problem will be tough to solve by combining businesses lacking basic profitability

Allan Barber says the red meat processing problem will be tough to solve by combining businesses lacking basic profitability

The persistent decline in sheep numbers from forestry conversions, drought and poor returns has driven the closure of Timaru's Smithfield works. Allan Barber looks at the capacity challenges the industry is facing

The persistent decline in sheep numbers from forestry conversions, drought and poor returns has driven the closure of Timaru's Smithfield works. Allan Barber looks at the capacity challenges the industry is facing

Allan Barber says pastoral farming for food has a doubtful future when the government incentivises polluters to plant trees to avoid reducing their emissions. The impact of carbon farming has screwed the scrum already

Allan Barber says pastoral farming for food has a doubtful future when the government incentivises polluters to plant trees to avoid reducing their emissions. The impact of carbon farming has screwed the scrum already

Allan Barber finds a local company in the final stages of confirming a 75% reduction in methane emissions from cattle on pasture over 100 days - funded by NZ public money but targeting Australia for launch

Allan Barber finds a local company in the final stages of confirming a 75% reduction in methane emissions from cattle on pasture over 100 days - funded by NZ public money but targeting Australia for launch

Allan Barber sees food production becoming a distant second in land-use priorities in what could have profound impacts on our economy and ability to pay our way in the world

Allan Barber sees food production becoming a distant second in land-use priorities in what could have profound impacts on our economy and ability to pay our way in the world

Allan Barber notes the NZFAP and NZFAP+ have resulted in improvement in livestock quality with the ability to meet market specifications, an initiative built & driven from within the industry

Allan Barber notes the NZFAP and NZFAP+ have resulted in improvement in livestock quality with the ability to meet market specifications, an initiative built & driven from within the industry

Allan Barber details the complex factors that go into processor price offers for livestock. Maximising returns in low periods is enhanced by strong relationships with processors, he says

Allan Barber details the complex factors that go into processor price offers for livestock. Maximising returns in low periods is enhanced by strong relationships with processors, he says

With the origin branding initiative, Taste Pure Nature, to be shifted back to the meat exporters, there are questions about whether the momentum will be sustained, or just in some markets

With the origin branding initiative, Taste Pure Nature, to be shifted back to the meat exporters, there are questions about whether the momentum will be sustained, or just in some markets

Allan Barber says that while new trade agreements are encouraging, the reality of red meat marketing isn't positive at present. But if you look hard enough there are positives if you have a longer perspective

Allan Barber says that while new trade agreements are encouraging, the reality of red meat marketing isn't positive at present. But if you look hard enough there are positives if you have a longer perspective

Allan Barber says over the years and through their ups and downs, the dairy and meat sectors aren't too different from each other

Allan Barber says over the years and through their ups and downs, the dairy and meat sectors aren't too different from each other

Allan Barber digs in to why meat company profits have varied so much. The industry is moving through a transition period where more focus is going on innovation in marketing and a shift to added-value food and healthcare products

Allan Barber digs in to why meat company profits have varied so much. The industry is moving through a transition period where more focus is going on innovation in marketing and a shift to added-value food and healthcare products

Allan Barber says the key ingredients of success for cooperatives are shareholder capital, profit retention, continuous investment in the right assets, and the ability to exert market control. Alliance Group struggles with some

Allan Barber says the key ingredients of success for cooperatives are shareholder capital, profit retention, continuous investment in the right assets, and the ability to exert market control. Alliance Group struggles with some

Allan Barber says politicians should tread warily when introducing measures attempting to force change on the public too fast or without adequate explanation

Allan Barber says politicians should tread warily when introducing measures attempting to force change on the public too fast or without adequate explanation

Allan Barber notes the pressure is on from the Climate Change Commission to plant more trees, cut livestock numbers, and buy more carbon credits. But the rural sector is persisting with its own pressure to 'be more realistic' and more nuanced

Allan Barber notes the pressure is on from the Climate Change Commission to plant more trees, cut livestock numbers, and buy more carbon credits. But the rural sector is persisting with its own pressure to 'be more realistic' and more nuanced

Allan Barber highlights the drivers for a sustainable meat industry have nothing to do with social aspirational 'values', but all to do with either accepting, or trying to change consumer perceptions the product is a commodity

Allan Barber highlights the drivers for a sustainable meat industry have nothing to do with social aspirational 'values', but all to do with either accepting, or trying to change consumer perceptions the product is a commodity

Allan Barber reports on growing moves to broaden the focus of meat marketing, suggesting the challenge by alternatives seems to be fading

Allan Barber reports on growing moves to broaden the focus of meat marketing, suggesting the challenge by alternatives seems to be fading

B+LNZ's prior focus of battling Wellington, and launching Taste Pure Nature, is shifting to raising on-farm productivity & profitability in the face of coming lower returns from the surge in Aussie meat exports

B+LNZ's prior focus of battling Wellington, and launching Taste Pure Nature, is shifting to raising on-farm productivity & profitability in the face of coming lower returns from the surge in Aussie meat exports

Allan Barber explains why it will be tougher in 2024 for red meat exports with both our main customers being offered rising volumes from our trans-Tasman cousins

Allan Barber explains why it will be tougher in 2024 for red meat exports with both our main customers being offered rising volumes from our trans-Tasman cousins