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 2 months

Latest articles

Times have changed in the meat industry - for the better

Allan Barber assess the transformation of the local meat processing industry to where capacity is balanced to supply, market demand drives product, and logistics cooperation enables it to withstand ugly supply chain pressures

5th Mar 22, 9:49am

by Allan Barber

Carbon farming issue needs more than tinkering with OIO settings

Is carbon offsetting actually accelerating environmental collapse? Is NZ's rush to carbon farming contributing? Allan Barber says fixing the flaws is more than the current tinkering with the OIO

17th Feb 22, 9:42am

by Allan Barber

Is carbon offsetting actually accelerating environmental collapse? Is NZ's rush to carbon farming contributing? Allan Barber says fixing the flaws is more than the current tinkering with the OIO

Planning for the Omicron wave

Omicron is likely to affect meat supplies as workers will need to stand down in plant outbreaks. The current Australian situation signals the likely issues. Processors here are looking for ways to avoid the worst of what is coming

1st Feb 22, 12:09pm

by Allan Barber

Farmers must choose one of two options to avoid being stuck with the ETS

New Zealand agriculture on the cusp of reaching an historic agreement which will remove some distracting uncertainties and put us in a prime global position

20th Jan 22, 9:33am

by Allan Barber

New Zealand agriculture on the cusp of reaching an historic agreement which will remove some distracting uncertainties and put us in a prime global position

Sword of Damocles hanging over strong market demand

Although demand from all red meat markets seems to be firing at the same time, supply chain logistics and pandemic risks are taking the shine off this demand, and unsettling the prospects for 2022

21st Dec 21, 9:43am

by Allan Barber

Although demand from all red meat markets seems to be firing at the same time, supply chain logistics and pandemic risks are taking the shine off this demand, and unsettling the prospects for 2022

Alliance comfortable with progress during challenging year but suspicion it should have been better

Allan Barber assesses the financial health of the red meat sector by running his rule over a declining set of public annual reports. Alliance Group is the latest one, and it shows an improving trend

14th Dec 21, 10:38am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber assesses the financial health of the red meat sector by running his rule over a declining set of public annual reports. Alliance Group is the latest one, and it shows an improving trend

COP26 or cop out

Allan Barber sees only hot air in Glasgow and Wellington over the Global Methane Pledge, and a lack of common sense locally raising frustrations in the team of 5 million

17th Nov 21, 10:12am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees only hot air in Glasgow and Wellington over the Global Methane Pledge, and a lack of common sense locally raising frustrations in the team of 5 million

FTAs vital for future prosperity

Allan Barber sees the intense trade deal work going on now as an effective way to bolster our economy for when our domestic sectors turn from the present "boom conditions" to more choppy conditions

6th Nov 21, 9:30am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees the intense trade deal work going on now as an effective way to bolster our economy for when our domestic sectors turn from the present "boom conditions" to more choppy conditions

Regenerative agriculture more than just another fad

Allan Barber finds that 'regenerative agriculture' could be the framework that wins the premium to be earned from a trusted reputation for livestock farming

19th Oct 21, 12:10pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds that 'regenerative agriculture' could be the framework that wins the premium to be earned from a trusted reputation for livestock farming

Science-based evidence of huge nutritional contribution

The science is there with proof of agriculture's essential role in delivering global health and nutrition, and underpinning farming's social licence for responsible production

21st Sep 21, 4:36pm

by Allan Barber

The science is there with proof of agriculture's essential role in delivering global health and nutrition, and underpinning farming's social licence for responsible production

Calf rearing getting harder

Allan Barber notes that high milk prices and uncertain beef markets mean fewer dairy calves are being raised this season, raising viability issues for the red meat sector

9th Sep 21, 9:40am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber notes that high milk prices and uncertain beef markets mean fewer dairy calves are being raised this season, raising viability issues for the red meat sector

Farm Assurance Programme’s importance to future of farming

Allan Barber says the farm assurance programme and its extension into NZFAP Plus will become an essential tool enabling all farmers to justify their licence to operate in an increasingly critical world

30th Aug 21, 10:07am

by Allan Barber

Future proofing farming in climate changing world

Allan Barber finds that the new normal for the red meat sector will be very different to the old, pre-Covid normal. The sector's customers and end users are moving on quickly

25th Aug 21, 11:00am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds that the new normal for the red meat sector will be very different to the old, pre-Covid normal. The sector's customers and end users are moving on quickly

China relationship tension inevitable

Allan Barber watches the high wire act New Zealand trade negotiators and exporters perform to keep market access open in spite of the big power tensions that could derail those efforts in one breeze-shift

28th Jul 21, 9:22am

by Allan Barber

Government missing in action

Allan Barber highlights a desperate job shortage of Halal butchers in the meat industry that is jeopardising a $3.3 bln trade, and contrasts the approach to this issue with 'exceptions' for yachties, sports teams and film makers

16th Jul 21, 9:47am

by Allan Barber

To amalgamate or retain separate sector organisations – that is the question

The future of B+LNZ to be decided by referendum votes now underway. At issue is whether it, Dairy NZ and Federated Farmers need to be separate organisations. Voting closes on July 9

29th Jun 21, 9:50am

by Allan Barber

The future of B+LNZ to be decided by referendum votes now underway. At issue is whether it, Dairy NZ and Federated Farmers need to be separate organisations. Voting closes on July 9

ANZCO’s result rounds out good year for meat processors

Nimble adjustment in the pandemic, focused marketing, targeted investments, smarter buying, better capital arrangements all contributed to better meat industry returns in 2021. But they remain low for the capital invested

16th Jun 21, 9:22am

by Allan Barber

Fair Pay Agreements a return to the dark ages

Allan Barber reports that the large-employer group of meat processing companies are fearful of what the Fair Pay Agreements will bring for productivity and flexibility. They remember the grim relationships before 1991

4th Jun 21, 2:37pm

by Allan Barber

Emerging proteins report presents balanced picture

Alternative proteins are no threat to red meats yet. They will need to develop whole-of-value-chain thinking, commitment to the development of a new sector over many years, and significant investment

22nd May 21, 10:08am

by Allan Barber

Alternative proteins are no threat to red meats yet. They will need to develop whole-of-value-chain thinking, commitment to the development of a new sector over many years, and significant investment

Dairy industry poses challenges despite high milk prices

Allan Barber finds that meat and dairy processing companies share many of the same challenges, especially maintaining efficient capacity and adequate margins between raw material buying price and market returns

6th May 21, 9:39am

by Allan Barber

Sector collaboration achieves better political outcomes

The red meat sector collaboration in joint meetings the MIA and B+LNZ have been having with Ministers, MPs and officials is presenting a united farmer and processing company position for the common good

21st Apr 21, 10:32am

by Allan Barber

Successful 154th Warkworth A&P Show my swansong

The relentless encroachment of the 'big city' into a once-rural area is changing the way the A&P Show draws its entrants and attracts its visitors. But it still holds old-time magic for those who attend

7th Apr 21, 3:52pm

by Allan Barber

New technology and economic incentives making methane reduction possible

Anaerobic digesters, natural feed supplements, and synthetic feed supplements all show promise in delivering substantial methane and other GHG emission reductions in livestock, with no apparent adverse effects on feed intake or animal health

24th Mar 21, 10:03am

by Allan Barber

Red meat processing will need to adapt to ensure a positive future

Allan Barber explains that successful red meat marketing will require processing efficiency of consumer driven products backed by skillful marketing and state of the art logistics and distribution

10th Mar 21, 9:27am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber explains that successful red meat marketing will require processing efficiency of consumer driven products backed by skillful marketing and state of the art logistics and distribution

Climate Change Commission advice to Government follows communist principles

Allan Barber points out that if we adopt a prescriptive state plan for livestock production, it will be a slippery slope for many other industries too, driving increasing distortions and away from essential consumer demand signals

1st Mar 21, 11:21am

by Allan Barber