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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

14 years 8 months

Latest articles

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
by Allan Barber
8
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
by Allan Barber
2
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
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
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
by Allan Barber
3
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
by Allan Barber
5
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
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
by Allan Barber
1
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
by Allan Barber
1
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
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?
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?'
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
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
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
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
by Allan Barber
1
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
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
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says a recent EU report underscores our vulnerabilities in sheepmeat, and helps clarify how we should respond
More than one side to meat industry debate
Allan Barber says let’s stop whinging about a dysfunctional meat processing industry because the imbalances are just for a few core processors
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says let’s stop whinging about a dysfunctional meat processing industry because the imbalances are just for a few core processors
Meat options paper seeks farmer opinions
Allan Barber reviews the Fed options paper, in light of history and his view that alignment with a processor is a key requirement
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber reviews the Fed options paper, in light of history and his view that alignment with a processor is a key requirement