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

Shanghai Pengxin now a NZ dairy farmer

Allan Barber reviews the Crafar dairy farm sale and suggests some improvements to the OIA criteria. Your view?

9th Aug 12, 5:00pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the Crafar dairy farm sale and suggests some improvements to the OIA criteria. Your view?

1 million extra lambs expected this season

Allan Barber reviews the latest annual stock survey and finds encouraging trends following a very good growing season. Your view?

7th Aug 12, 4:40pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the latest annual stock survey and finds encouraging trends following a very good growing season. Your view?

Can we triple agri-foods turnover?

Allan Barber reviews the Riddet Institute report but has a nagging suspicion it will not result in significant shifts in behaviour. Your view?

1st Aug 12, 4:10pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the Riddet Institute report but has a nagging suspicion it will not result in significant shifts in behaviour. Your view?

Meat price trends

Allan Barber says the meat price outlook is still positive in spite of short term wobbles. Your view?

30th Jul 12, 5:36pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says the meat price outlook is still positive in spite of short term wobbles. Your view?

Biofuels and energy production dominate Europe’s landscape

Traveller's notes: Allan Barber is amazed at how unsustainable European agriculture is and how unrealistic their land use choices have become

26th Jul 12, 12:16pm

by Allan Barber

Traveller's notes: Allan Barber is amazed at how unsustainable European agriculture is and how unrealistic their land use choices have become

Too much meat processing capacity

Suddenly, the season end of meat processing is imminent especially in the North Island, much earlier this year. Allan Barber explains why

11th Jun 12, 5:04pm

by Allan Barber

Suddenly, the season end of meat processing is imminent especially in the North Island, much earlier this year. Allan Barber explains why

Ratified agreement shows real winner

Allan Barber explains who really won in the AFFCO labour dispute and how they achieved the settlement

7th Jun 12, 9:03am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber explains who really won in the AFFCO labour dispute and how they achieved the settlement

KPMG’s Agribusiness Agenda points way forward

KPMG finds that the agribusiness industry is ready to try cooperation and collaboration. Will it result in real change? Allan Barber reviews their Report

31st May 12, 2:49pm

by Allan Barber

KPMG finds that the agribusiness industry is ready to try cooperation and collaboration. Will it result in real change? Allan Barber reviews their Report

AFFCO’s union dispute finally settled

Allan Barber applauds the involvement of Iwi heavyweights in ending this meat industry dispute. Your view?

24th May 12, 12:39pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber applauds the involvement of Iwi heavyweights in ending this meat industry dispute. Your view?

Facing challenges positively

After a 'torrid' first six months, Allan Barber says the meat industry is looking ahead to better operating conditions. Your view?

15th May 12, 6:31pm

by Allan Barber

After a 'torrid' first six months, Allan Barber says the meat industry is looking ahead to better operating conditions. Your view?

A wasted trip to Nelson

Allan Barber says the meat workers are losing their fight to hold on to outmoded benefits. You agree?

8th May 12, 7:42am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says the meat workers are losing their fight to hold on to outmoded benefits. You agree?

'Wading through quicksand'

Fonterra's growth to be decided by its capital structure. Allan Barber looks at the TAF reviews and vote prospects

2nd May 12, 11:52am

by Allan Barber

Fonterra's growth to be decided by its capital structure. Allan Barber looks at the TAF reviews and vote prospects

Learning to work together

Allan Barber shows why the differences between the processors and B&LNZ are more apparent than real. Is he right?

26th Apr 12, 5:24pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber shows why the differences between the processors and B&LNZ are more apparent than real. Is he right?

Over at last?

Allan Barber assesses what the Crafar Farms saga has taught us. Your view?

23rd Apr 12, 2:47pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber assesses what the Crafar Farms saga has taught us. Your view?

AFFCO and Meat Workers Union both staunch

Allan Barber assesses where this lockout stands after mediation fails and Employment Court appearances loom. Your view?

16th Apr 12, 2:27pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber assesses where this lockout stands after mediation fails and Employment Court appearances loom. Your view?

Big issues for big rewards

Will issues of trust and the environment hold us back from getting our share of international sales? Your view?

7th Apr 12, 11:38am

by Allan Barber

Will issues of trust and the environment hold us back from getting our share of international sales? Your view?

'You've got it; we want it' - milk politics

Pressure is going on dairy farmers over milk prices and Fonterra's capital structure. Allan Barber assesses the forces at work and how they will play out

31st Mar 12, 11:38am

by Allan Barber

Pressure is going on dairy farmers over milk prices and Fonterra's capital structure. Allan Barber assesses the forces at work and how they will play out

Schedule setting as much art as science

Allan Barber investigates how processors set their weekly schedule prices

26th Mar 12, 12:00pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber investigates how processors set their weekly schedule prices

Global protein demand and local returns

Allan Barber puts current farm-gate price trends in context of the global marketplace. Your view?

21st Mar 12, 7:55am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber puts current farm-gate price trends in context of the global marketplace. Your view?

Farmer support rises for Beef & Lamb NZ

Farmers assert their independence from big meat processors. Allan Barber looks at the factors behind the decisive votes. Your view?

13th Mar 12, 11:43am

by Allan Barber

Farmers assert their independence from big meat processors. Allan Barber looks at the factors behind the decisive votes. Your view?

Meatworker options narrow

As the AFFCO lockout drags on, Allan Barber takes a closer look at the motivations of both parties

6th Mar 12, 3:44pm

by Allan Barber

As the AFFCO lockout drags on, Allan Barber takes a closer look at the motivations of both parties

Meat industry frustrations

Opinion: Allan Barber examines what is behind the Cooper resignation from B&LNZ and the broader meat industry issues. Your view?

28th Feb 12, 5:41pm

by Allan Barber

Opinion: Allan Barber examines what is behind the Cooper resignation from B&LNZ and the broader meat industry issues. Your view?

Hot competition among NI beef processors

Allan Barber says NI beef producers should benefit from strong processor competition. He reviews the supply - capacity balance

28th Feb 12, 3:56pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says NI beef producers should benefit from strong processor competition. He reviews the supply - capacity balance

Battle of employment philosophies

Opinion: Allan Barber looks at the industrial turmoil speading to meat processors

27th Feb 12, 12:20pm

by Allan Barber

Opinion: Allan Barber looks at the industrial turmoil speading to meat processors

SFF chief suddenly quits industry group

Opinion: Has Keith Cooper lost patience with both suppliers and processors who don’t see things the way he does?

20th Feb 12, 9:11am

by Allan Barber

Opinion: Has Keith Cooper lost patience with both suppliers and processors who don’t see things the way he does?