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

Debt pressures large meat companies to get solution

Allan Barber thinks the delays in announcing an industry-wide restructuring means the entrenched difficulties are not being overcome

29th Jul 13, 4:52pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber thinks the delays in announcing an industry-wide restructuring means the entrenched difficulties are not being overcome

Waiting on tenterhooks

Allan Barber wonders when a decision is due on meat industry 'reform' and what form it might take

23rd Jul 13, 7:28pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber wonders when a decision is due on meat industry 'reform' and what form it might take

Farmers must commit to a contract

Allan Barber is not sure it’s realistic for farmers to own the meat industry; a viable solution is simpler than that he suggests

15th Jul 13, 8:48pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber is not sure it’s realistic for farmers to own the meat industry; a viable solution is simpler than that he suggests

Plenty of hope, but no solutions yet

Allan Barber reports on the latest Red Meat Sector conference, but struggles to find any transforming solutions proposed

9th Jul 13, 7:00pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reports on the latest Red Meat Sector conference, but struggles to find any transforming solutions proposed

Synlait well structured for a successful future

Allan Barber likes the new Synlait offer and the new chance to invest in the sector. He explains why

1st Jul 13, 2:05pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber likes the new Synlait offer and the new chance to invest in the sector. He explains why

MIE sailing into a head wind

Allan Barber is sceptical the MIE group can achieve its shifting goals, even though he supports their aims. He explains why

23rd Jun 13, 6:28pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber is sceptical the MIE group can achieve its shifting goals, even though he supports their aims. He explains why

Turkish agriculture must be seen to be believed

Allan Barber visits Turkey and finds a unique agricultural sector that includes a large sheep flock, and a desire to enter the EU

13th Jun 13, 11:55am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber visits Turkey and finds a unique agricultural sector that includes a large sheep flock, and a desire to enter the EU

Tradable slaughter rights idea useful but may not be the answer

Allan Barber says the TSR proposal, rejected 28 years ago, could have solved the capacity problems then, but it has fish-hooks for the meat industry of today

14th May 13, 2:30pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says the TSR proposal, rejected 28 years ago, could have solved the capacity problems then, but it has fish-hooks for the meat industry of today

Fixed price contracts not the answer

Allan Barber says MIE should focus on just two key items on its agenda; supply culture by farmers and equal treatment by processors

7th May 13, 6:25pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says MIE should focus on just two key items on its agenda; supply culture by farmers and equal treatment by processors

Parekura Horomia

Allan Barber farewells Parekura Horomia, remembering his absolute commitment to young Maori and Pacific Islanders

30th Apr 13, 7:07pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber farewells Parekura Horomia, remembering his absolute commitment to young Maori and Pacific Islanders

Meat Industry Excellence Group’s campaign warms up

As the MIE meetings push ahead, the gritty issues of commitment, loyalty and trust remain to be addressed and accepted, especially by non-attendees

29th Apr 13, 6:04pm

by Allan Barber

As the MIE meetings push ahead, the gritty issues of commitment, loyalty and trust remain to be addressed and accepted, especially by non-attendees

Statistics and historical facts about sheepmeat

Allan Barber is puzzled by the bad rap the meat industry gets when it has done a good job producing products for which the market pays a premium price

22nd Apr 13, 5:31pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber is puzzled by the bad rap the meat industry gets when it has done a good job producing products for which the market pays a premium price

Who speaks for farmers ?

Allan Barber sees a growing difference of opinion on the best strategy to get the red meat industry restructured

16th Apr 13, 9:20am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees a growing difference of opinion on the best strategy to get the red meat industry restructured

A loss that could have been worse

Allan Barber reviews Anzco Food's financial results and sees significant progress despite the loss, plus a good set up for the current year

8th Apr 13, 10:59am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews Anzco Food's financial results and sees significant progress despite the loss, plus a good set up for the current year

Farmers need to agree what they want

Allan Barber sees farmers motivated for change in the red meat sector but he is unconvinced they know how to get it

3rd Apr 13, 11:04am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees farmers motivated for change in the red meat sector but he is unconvinced they know how to get it

Deja vu all over again

Allan Barber finds that we have made no progress improving the structure of the meat processing industry, other than to learn that the status quo is the least desirable

28th Mar 13, 2:48pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds that we have made no progress improving the structure of the meat processing industry, other than to learn that the status quo is the least desirable

Red meat farmers call for industry consolidation

Allan Barber reports the stress on the red meat sector from the drought is giving yet another push for major consolidation. Your view?

19th Mar 13, 12:06pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reports the stress on the red meat sector from the drought is giving yet another push for major consolidation. Your view?

'Deal with the elephant': Petersen

Allan Barber says meat companies must address industry inefficiencies if farmers vote to spend their money on collaboration programme. Your view?

11th Mar 13, 5:26pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says meat companies must address industry inefficiencies if farmers vote to spend their money on collaboration programme. Your view?

Biosecurity thoroughly underprepared for high-risk incursions

Allan Barber reviews a hard-hitting Report critical of readiness for a major foot-and-mouth outbreak, made more worrying after FedFarmers concerns about PKE

5th Mar 13, 4:35pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews a hard-hitting Report critical of readiness for a major foot-and-mouth outbreak, made more worrying after FedFarmers concerns about PKE

Silver Fern Farms on industry consolidation

Allan Barber reviews the SFF open letter. He welcomes coordination, questions the value of partial mergers, and hopes the focus stays on creating value. Your view?

26th Feb 13, 1:27pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the SFF open letter. He welcomes coordination, questions the value of partial mergers, and hopes the focus stays on creating value. Your view?

Feds ask meat companies how they can work together

Allan Barber wonders if sheep & beef farmers and processors could actually work together for sustainable growth even if they think it would be a good idea. Your view?

20th Feb 13, 8:58am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber wonders if sheep & beef farmers and processors could actually work together for sustainable growth even if they think it would be a good idea. Your view?

Not all farmers happy about spending reserves

The structuring of the Collaboration for Sustainable Growth programme has farmers and processors talking past each other says Allan Barber. Your view?

13th Feb 13, 8:48am

by Allan Barber

The structuring of the Collaboration for Sustainable Growth programme has farmers and processors talking past each other says Allan Barber. Your view?

Another $38 mln for greenhouse gas research

A total of $83 mln will be spent over 18 years to reduce rural emissions 30% by 2030 reports Allan Barber. A good investment?

5th Feb 13, 9:07am

by Allan Barber

A total of $83 mln will be spent over 18 years to reduce rural emissions 30% by 2030 reports Allan Barber. A good investment?

PGP project suggests meat industry ready to cooperate

Allan Barber welcomes the commitment of $65 million in funding to the Red Meat PGP and is cheered by the progress. Your view?

30th Jan 13, 12:55pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber welcomes the commitment of $65 million in funding to the Red Meat PGP and is cheered by the progress. Your view?

2013 may be the year for a sheepmeat strategy

Allan Barber says the sheep industry is facing a crisis, and serious strategic thinking is needed to find a viable industry model. Your view?

23rd Jan 13, 11:50am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says the sheep industry is facing a crisis, and serious strategic thinking is needed to find a viable industry model. Your view?