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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

Red meat exports
Allan Barber compares the red meat markets of New Zealand with those of Australia and finds significant differences
by Allan Barber
2
Allan Barber compares the red meat markets of New Zealand with those of Australia and finds significant differences
Beef news from Brazil
Allan Barber says Brazil is about to move in on 'our markets' for beef - and in a big way
by Allan Barber
13
Allan Barber says Brazil is about to move in on 'our markets' for beef - and in a big way
Meat industry looks interesting in 2014
Allan Barber wonders whether the new boards or new reviews can achieve the industry restructuring that has been endlessly sought
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber wonders whether the new boards or new reviews can achieve the industry restructuring that has been endlessly sought
ANSCO puffs its chest
Meat companies dividing into two groups making it hard to see a tidy industry restructure
by Allan Barber
1
Meat companies dividing into two groups making it hard to see a tidy industry restructure
Trade deals coming thick and fast
Allan Barber sees steady and encouraging progress with our unilateral trade negotiations, in marked contrast to the bogged-down multilateral efforts
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber sees steady and encouraging progress with our unilateral trade negotiations, in marked contrast to the bogged-down multilateral efforts
Moment of truth
Allan Barber examines the MIE tactic of trying to get its key people on to Alliance and SFF boards
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber examines the MIE tactic of trying to get its key people on to Alliance and SFF boards
Lipstick doesn’t hide the ugly truth
Allan Barber says, despite the company's statement, the Silver Fern Farms 2013 result was 'awful'
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says, despite the company's statement, the Silver Fern Farms 2013 result was 'awful'
Meat exports steady, but no silver bullet in sight
Allan Barber looks at the red meat sector export stats and wonders how the industry can ever achieve the Govt's export targets
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber looks at the red meat sector export stats and wonders how the industry can ever achieve the Govt's export targets
'MIE must come out with strategy'
Allan Barber says co-op member farmers must take the initiative in reform and demonstrate that by making supply commitments
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says co-op member farmers must take the initiative in reform and demonstrate that by making supply commitments
'Simple and inexplicable'
Allan Barber says MPI owes processors an explanation about Chinese green runner ban
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says MPI owes processors an explanation about Chinese green runner ban
Will changing the guard change the direction
Allan Barber sees an industry trapped in its individual histories and unable to find the will to change given current incentives
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber sees an industry trapped in its individual histories and unable to find the will to change given current incentives
MIA gives honest assessment of industry challenges
Allan Barber reviews the meat industry's year and whether farmer percetions of its structure and ability to generate value are justified
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber reviews the meat industry's year and whether farmer percetions of its structure and ability to generate value are justified
End of an era for southern cooperatives
Allan Barber says unless farmers commit to their company of choice, the meat industry’s volatility will be a continuing frustration no matter who leads them
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says unless farmers commit to their company of choice, the meat industry’s volatility will be a continuing frustration no matter who leads them
Long term disruption
Opinion: Allan Barber says the way Fonterra handled its botulism scare will hurt New Zealand in major ways
by Allan Barber
5
Opinion: Allan Barber says the way Fonterra handled its botulism scare will hurt New Zealand in major ways
Losses but few adjustments
Allan Barber sees Silver Fern Farms addressing capacity issues, but doesn't see progress on a meat industry restructure
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber sees Silver Fern Farms addressing capacity issues, but doesn't see progress on a meat industry restructure
Icelandic lessons
Allan Barber suggests our commodity sector can learn something from the Icelandic fishing industry
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber suggests our commodity sector can learn something from the Icelandic fishing industry
Too big to be effective ?
Allan Barber says MPI must get balance right between regulatory function and growth; he calls for seriously senior leadership
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber says MPI must get balance right between regulatory function and growth; he calls for seriously senior leadership
Drought hammers stock numbers
Allan Barber says higher stock prices this year foreshadow major survivability problems for the processors
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says higher stock prices this year foreshadow major survivability problems for the processors
Genetics – more than just a ram
Allan Barber reports on two genetics programmes critical for improving productivity. Will farmers adopt the results?
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber reports on two genetics programmes critical for improving productivity. Will farmers adopt the results?
The scare that wasn’t
Allan Barber says it wasn't company labs but Govt inspectors who got the Fonterra testing wrong
by Allan Barber
22
Allan Barber says it wasn't company labs but Govt inspectors who got the Fonterra testing wrong
Lower stock numbers cause balance sheet stress
Allan Barber says meat company shareholders now need to back their companies to make painful capacity cuts
by Allan Barber
2
Allan Barber says meat company shareholders now need to back their companies to make painful capacity cuts
'Be careful in China'
Allan Barber welcomes the market diversification but says it is important not to let China dominate our red meat sector
by Allan Barber
7
Allan Barber welcomes the market diversification but says it is important not to let China dominate our red meat sector
Dangers of being a one trick pony
Allan Barber says that Fonterra's problem ought to make those calling for one mega meat company hesitate for a moment
by Allan Barber
6
Allan Barber says that Fonterra's problem ought to make those calling for one mega meat company hesitate for a moment
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
by Allan Barber
6
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
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber wonders when a decision is due on meat industry 'reform' and what form it might take