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Allan Barber

About

Now in his semi-retirement at Point Wells near Warkworth, Allan is a freelance agricultural journalist writing mainly about the meat industry which has remained his key area of interest since leaving AFFCO in 1997.

Member for

13 years 3 months

Latest articles

Meat trade unrecognisable from 40 years ago
Allan Barber reviews the history of the redmeat processing industry which shows both farmers and processors have made tremendous progress
21st Nov 14, 2:04pm
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber reviews the history of the redmeat processing industry which shows both farmers and processors have made tremendous progress
Changes at the top for both meat cooperatives and a return to profit for Ferns
New Zealand's main meat co-operatives are undergoing change. Allan Barber assesses the recent history of both and prospects for each
13th Nov 14, 1:17pm
by Allan Barber
New Zealand's main meat co-operatives are undergoing change. Allan Barber assesses the recent history of both and prospects for each
Owen Ferris - New Zealand lamb’s finest salesman
Allan Barber profiles a key personality who drove the sales of New Zealand lamb in the UK
11th Nov 14, 4:16pm
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber profiles a key personality who drove the sales of New Zealand lamb in the UK
Silver Fern Farms heaves sigh of relief
Allan Barber looks behind the latest Silver Fern Farms profit result and its change of senior managers, assessing the options for its future
31st Oct 14, 1:00pm
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber looks behind the latest Silver Fern Farms profit result and its change of senior managers, assessing the options for its future
Changes afoot in Japanese rice farming
Allan Barber wonders if the long-standing reluctance of Japan to open up its markets to agricultural imports may be coming to an end as its rice farming 'rots from the inside'
23rd Oct 14, 11:10am
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber wonders if the long-standing reluctance of Japan to open up its markets to agricultural imports may be coming to an end as its rice farming 'rots from the inside'
Farmers in favour of meat industry restructuring
Allan Barber is hopeful, sceptical, and suspicious of the latest MIE group's survey and its prospects for adoption. Bridge, water, more
6th Oct 14, 4:52pm
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber is hopeful, sceptical, and suspicious of the latest MIE group's survey and its prospects for adoption. Bridge, water, more
Election result should be good for agriculture
Allan Barber surveys the implications of the election result on the rural sector and finds most leaders see present policies delivering "the desired outcomes"
1st Oct 14, 10:12am
by Allan Barber
18
Allan Barber surveys the implications of the election result on the rural sector and finds most leaders see present policies delivering "the desired outcomes"
MIE meat industry plan out soon
Allan Barber describes where MIE are at trying to improve 'a bad system', but suspects what we have is 'the best there is'
19th Sep 14, 2:34pm
by Allan Barber
9
Allan Barber describes where MIE are at trying to improve 'a bad system', but suspects what we have is 'the best there is'
Future of red meat promotion under threat
Allan Barber is concerned about an industry inability to agree on an effective country-of-origin promotion strategy
17th Sep 14, 1:54pm
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber is concerned about an industry inability to agree on an effective country-of-origin promotion strategy
Science and bees essential for prosperity
Allan Barber likes what Federated Farmers is focusing on for the rural sector. The importance of bees and the core role science plays are key issues he says
13th Sep 14, 11:01am
by Allan Barber
14
Allan Barber likes what Federated Farmers is focusing on for the rural sector. The importance of bees and the core role science plays are key issues he says
Thorny question of wool levy benefits
Voting for the proposed wool levy will start soon. Allan Barber assesses the arguments on both sides of the debate
5th Sep 14, 12:20pm
by Allan Barber
Voting for the proposed wool levy will start soon. Allan Barber assesses the arguments on both sides of the debate
Unravelling the schedule gap between North and South Islands
Allan Barber investigates why stock prices differ so much between the Islands, looking to see whether the variances will ease soon
4th Sep 14, 10:59am
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber investigates why stock prices differ so much between the Islands, looking to see whether the variances will ease soon
Review of Beef+Lamb promotional spending
Should levy funds be used for country of origin marketing or be targeted at farm gate issues? Allan Barber reviews the choices ahead of the Beef+LambNZ referendum
28th Aug 14, 2:36pm
by Allan Barber
Should levy funds be used for country of origin marketing or be targeted at farm gate issues? Allan Barber reviews the choices ahead of the Beef+LambNZ referendum
ANZCO, a case of successful foreign investment
Allan Barber reviews the complex issues surrounding 'foreign ownership' of rural businesses, points to ANZCO as an example of how it can work to advantage NZ
20th Aug 14, 7:46pm
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber reviews the complex issues surrounding 'foreign ownership' of rural businesses, points to ANZCO as an example of how it can work to advantage NZ
Total sheep flock to fall by nearly 1 mln
Livestock numbers forecast shows little change - unlikely to achieve MPI’s optimistic revenue forecasts
13th Aug 14, 8:47am
by Allan Barber
1
Livestock numbers forecast shows little change - unlikely to achieve MPI’s optimistic revenue forecasts
Global animal protein trends become more complex
Despite the volatility, New Zealand red meat producers are urged to focus on the premium end of customer demand. The shortage in the East will benefit NZ
10th Aug 14, 6:34pm
by Allan Barber
Despite the volatility, New Zealand red meat producers are urged to focus on the premium end of customer demand. The shortage in the East will benefit NZ
Red Meat Sector in good heart at Conference
Allan Barber reports on the recent Red Meat Sector Conference, highlighting the key sessions and speakers
6th Aug 14, 11:45am
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber reports on the recent Red Meat Sector Conference, highlighting the key sessions and speakers
Better times in prospect for red meat
Allan Barber finds some strong green shoots in the sheep and beef farming sector; half-full or half-empty?
25th Jul 14, 11:11am
by Allan Barber
8
Allan Barber finds some strong green shoots in the sheep and beef farming sector; half-full or half-empty?
Time for government to wake up
Allan Barber says only the Government has the power to bring urgently needed change to a now disillusioned red meat industry that has been trying on its own for 30 years
23rd Jul 14, 11:53am
by Allan Barber
57
Allan Barber says only the Government has the power to bring urgently needed change to a now disillusioned red meat industry that has been trying on its own for 30 years
Lamb exports above $2 billion, but worrying trends
Allan Barber points out that the skyrocketing sales of export mutton suggests no slowdown in the slaughter of capital stock
18th Jul 14, 10:22am
by Allan Barber
7
Allan Barber points out that the skyrocketing sales of export mutton suggests no slowdown in the slaughter of capital stock
India’s massive buffalo exports reflect different approach to food safety
Allan Barber looks at the Indian buffalo trade and says NZ needs to pick its premium beef market destinations carefully, ones that will value the product and processes we offer
11th Jul 14, 12:43pm
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber looks at the Indian buffalo trade and says NZ needs to pick its premium beef market destinations carefully, ones that will value the product and processes we offer
Thoughts from the UK
Allan Barber reports on a ‘pommie farmer whinge’ about lamb competition from NZ, subsidy problems, land use changes, and the milk price
7th Jul 14, 10:32am
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber reports on a ‘pommie farmer whinge’ about lamb competition from NZ, subsidy problems, land use changes, and the milk price
Behaviour is the root cause of meat industry’s problems
Allan Barber says farmers' professional operating choices will likely have the best outcome for their industry as a whole, rather than formal restructuring
30th Jun 14, 10:08am
by Allan Barber
5
Allan Barber says farmers' professional operating choices will likely have the best outcome for their industry as a whole, rather than formal restructuring
Red meat plan tries to answer crucial question
Allan Barber says there is a lot to gain by everyone by getting in behind the latest RMPP, a serious, sensible and achievable plan to rebuild profitability in the sector
28th May 14, 9:00am
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says there is a lot to gain by everyone by getting in behind the latest RMPP, a serious, sensible and achievable plan to rebuild profitability in the sector
Wishing won’t make it happen
Allan Barber chides those who just seek a 'government solution' to the red meat industry's problems and their flow on effects
24th May 14, 11:32am
by Allan Barber
2
Allan Barber chides those who just seek a 'government solution' to the red meat industry's problems and their flow on effects