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

12 years 3 months

Latest articles

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

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

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

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

Allan Barber chides those who just seek a 'government solution' to the red meat industry's problems and their flow on effects

Caught in a commodity trap

Allan Barber wants to see more industry-wide common sense and willingness to compromise in the meat processing industry - and less can-kicking by the banks

14th May 14, 11:18am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber wants to see more industry-wide common sense and willingness to compromise in the meat processing industry - and less can-kicking by the banks

Why red meat sector needs to reform

Allan Barber sees tight margins, cutthroat farm gate procurement, over capacity and competitive market behaviour. He wonders how it can ever emerge from the quicksand

13th May 14, 10:47am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees tight margins, cutthroat farm gate procurement, over capacity and competitive market behaviour. He wonders how it can ever emerge from the quicksand

Agricultural footprint risks getting out of balance

Allan Barber doubts existing market incentives will allow a reduction in nutrient pollution in waterways even though most individual farms may achieve their targets

30th Apr 14, 11:21am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber doubts existing market incentives will allow a reduction in nutrient pollution in waterways even though most individual farms may achieve their targets

Breeders not yet giving up Invermay battle

Allan Barber reviews the difficulties AgResearch is having selling their restructure plans to staff, local communities and the breeder industry players who are most affected

24th Apr 14, 4:05pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the difficulties AgResearch is having selling their restructure plans to staff, local communities and the breeder industry players who are most affected

Beef+Lamb board supports remits

Allan Barber looks at two B+LNZ remits and sees them accentuating farmer divisions which undermines the case for Govt restructuring help

14th Apr 14, 4:14pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber looks at two B+LNZ remits and sees them accentuating farmer divisions which undermines the case for Govt restructuring help

The challenge of creating a strong red meat sector

Allan Barber sets out the challenges farmers have to unite under a common banner, the only way he sees of achieving any meaningful improvement in the red meat sector

12th Apr 14, 6:05pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sets out the challenges farmers have to unite under a common banner, the only way he sees of achieving any meaningful improvement in the red meat sector

Changing beef outlook

Allan Barber examines what the US beef shortage and Japan-Australia trade deal might mean for New Zealand beef farmers

11th Apr 14, 4:20pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber examines what the US beef shortage and Japan-Australia trade deal might mean for New Zealand beef farmers

A smart strategic partnership?

Whatever happened to the importance of the fifth quarter for SFF, asks Allan Barber. No-one else seems willing to dispose this valuable component

3rd Apr 14, 8:59am

by Allan Barber

Whatever happened to the importance of the fifth quarter for SFF, asks Allan Barber. No-one else seems willing to dispose this valuable component

Smoke and mirrors, or business as usual?

Allan Barber says that although the meat industry is far from out of the woods, a range of important improvements give real hope for a future

2nd Apr 14, 12:10pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says that although the meat industry is far from out of the woods, a range of important improvements give real hope for a future

Prepared to help, unwilling to interfere

No more talkfests; engage and collaborate for change says Nathan Guy because the red meat sector is performing well with a bright future

26th Mar 14, 2:35pm

by Allan Barber

No more talkfests; engage and collaborate for change says Nathan Guy because the red meat sector is performing well with a bright future

The benefits of producing to spec

Allan Barber reports on the new Silver Fern Farms Eating Quality System and says it actually does tick all the boxes

20th Mar 14, 9:11am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reports on the new Silver Fern Farms Eating Quality System and says it actually does tick all the boxes

An overview of topical agricultural issues

Grumpy sheep farmers; Fonterra in a tough spot; funding failure; where the money went?

14th Mar 14, 2:27pm

by Allan Barber

Grumpy sheep farmers; Fonterra in a tough spot; funding failure; where the money went?

Sheep farmers pushing for retention of Invermay

'Why take Sheep and Deer industry research away from the areas of maximum production?'

5th Mar 14, 5:02pm

by Allan Barber

'Why take Sheep and Deer industry research away from the areas of maximum production?'

A necessary debate, but ...

Allan Barber says MIE should stop trying to get financial support to achieve the impossible; rather it should set realistic goals

5th Mar 14, 12:14pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says MIE should stop trying to get financial support to achieve the impossible; rather it should set realistic goals

India's beef exports

Allan Barber reports that India is now the world's largest exporter of beef ourstripping Brazil; he explains how this has happened

25th Feb 14, 5:27pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reports that India is now the world's largest exporter of beef ourstripping Brazil; he explains how this has happened

China’s meat demand

Allan Barber finds that China’s meat imports surge, while live cattle trade slows

19th Feb 14, 5:02pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds that China’s meat imports surge, while live cattle trade slows

Changing world for sheep farming and sheepmeat

Allan Barber doubts farmer ownership or control of red meat processing or marketing solves any fundamental issue facing the sector

12th Feb 14, 9:38am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber doubts farmer ownership or control of red meat processing or marketing solves any fundamental issue facing the sector

Strange rumblings from the deep south

Allan Barber looks at the confusing attempt by MIE supporters to get John Monaghan on to the Alliance board to bolster an elected MIE candidate

5th Feb 14, 11:49am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber looks at the confusing attempt by MIE supporters to get John Monaghan on to the Alliance board to bolster an elected MIE candidate

Time to start looking for new sheepmeat markets

Allan Barber says a recent EU report underscores our vulnerabilities in sheepmeat, and helps clarify how we should respond

30th Jan 14, 1:40pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says a recent EU report underscores our vulnerabilities in sheepmeat, and helps clarify how we should respond