sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

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

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
4
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
3
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
4
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
9
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
4
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
1
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
5
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
26
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
15
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
9
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
1
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
7
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
1
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
5
Allan Barber says the sheep industry is facing a crisis, and serious strategic thinking is needed to find a viable industry model. Your view?
American sheep farmers suffering even more than here
Allan Barber reviews what is going on in the heart of the US sheep farming industry and finds that things are way tougher there than here. Your view?
16th Jan 13, 9:16am
by Allan Barber
3
Allan Barber reviews what is going on in the heart of the US sheep farming industry and finds that things are way tougher there than here. Your view?
Outlook cloudy for 2013
Allan Barber reviews 2013 meat prospects, says neither farmers nor processors are making money from lamb, but in the south at least processors have the upper hand. Your view?
3rd Jan 13, 9:30am
by Allan Barber
10
Allan Barber reviews 2013 meat prospects, says neither farmers nor processors are making money from lamb, but in the south at least processors have the upper hand. Your view?
Debt is good - in some circumstances
Allan Barber respects the 'glass half full' approach of meat industry execs, but looks at recent customer demand trends and wonders how full it will be by season end. Your view?
13th Dec 12, 12:10pm
by Allan Barber
8
Allan Barber respects the 'glass half full' approach of meat industry execs, but looks at recent customer demand trends and wonders how full it will be by season end. Your view?
Meat industry’s high debt levels must concern banks
Allan Barber looks at the losses by big meat industry firms this year and assesses how their liabilities might look to their bankers
5th Dec 12, 10:10am
by Allan Barber
23
Allan Barber looks at the losses by big meat industry firms this year and assesses how their liabilities might look to their bankers
Meat Workers Union corrected accounts present very different picture
Allan Barber succeeds in getting the NZMU to issue proper accounts. He reviews what they reveal
28th Nov 12, 11:54am
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber succeeds in getting the NZMU to issue proper accounts. He reviews what they reveal
Landcorp a profitable publicly owned asset
With 119 farms Landcorp is the largest corporate farmer in the country and is publicly owned. It has had a 'solid' year. Allan Barber assesses its results
28th Nov 12, 9:30am
by Allan Barber
15
With 119 farms Landcorp is the largest corporate farmer in the country and is publicly owned. It has had a 'solid' year. Allan Barber assesses its results