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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

12 years 2 months

Latest articles

Beef classification system still a bone of contention
Allan Barber finds long-standing grading meat grading systems are still widely used even as individual processors respond and tailor their own standards to specific market requirements
12th Feb 21, 9:29am
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber finds long-standing grading meat grading systems are still widely used even as individual processors respond and tailor their own standards to specific market requirements
High time to progress negotiations
Allan Barber sees progress on updating trade deals with the EU and the UK as priorities, even though NZ has many other options and some of which may be better
27th Jan 21, 9:46am
by Allan Barber
3
Allan Barber sees progress on updating trade deals with the EU and the UK as priorities, even though NZ has many other options and some of which may be better
Sector strategy more a refresh than new direction
Red meat industry sets four 10 year goals and three 5 year priorities to emphasise provenance, security, and sustainability to grow sales and price premiums for producers
20th Jan 21, 11:23am
by Allan Barber
2
Red meat industry sets four 10 year goals and three 5 year priorities to emphasise provenance, security, and sustainability to grow sales and price premiums for producers
Markets to remain volatile into New Year
Allan Barber says nothing will be easy for the foreseeable future for red meat processors, prices will struggle to match the last 12 months, but exporters know that tension in the China market means alternatives are crucial
1st Dec 20, 9:05am
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber says nothing will be easy for the foreseeable future for red meat processors, prices will struggle to match the last 12 months, but exporters know that tension in the China market means alternatives are crucial
World sighs with relief, but some changes will be slow
Allan Barber is relieved the chaotic fours years are nearly over in the USA and hopes the new Administration can restore some sanity to their policies, however slowly they may be enacted
17th Nov 20, 7:00pm
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber is relieved the chaotic fours years are nearly over in the USA and hopes the new Administration can restore some sanity to their policies, however slowly they may be enacted
Strange state of limbo
Allan Barber reports on two weeks touring the upper part of the South Island, observing a new normal a lot like the old one, but with farmers fearful of new regulation and handicapped by a lack of workers
11th Nov 20, 9:31am
by Allan Barber
Allan Barber reports on two weeks touring the upper part of the South Island, observing a new normal a lot like the old one, but with farmers fearful of new regulation and handicapped by a lack of workers
Trade negotiations happening on multiple fronts
Among the many trade negotiations New Zealand is involved with at present, the positions of the UK and EU are particularly frustrating for our negotiators and put market access at risk
2nd Nov 20, 3:55pm
by Allan Barber
Among the many trade negotiations New Zealand is involved with at present, the positions of the UK and EU are particularly frustrating for our negotiators and put market access at risk
Depressing lack of vision on offer
Allan Barber reports that for the rural sector, 'good intentions' by most parties are backed up either thin, superficial, or counterproductive policy ideas, few of which will appeal to farmers, or achieve those 'good intentions'
15th Oct 20, 9:03am
by Allan Barber
17
Allan Barber reports that for the rural sector, 'good intentions' by most parties are backed up either thin, superficial, or counterproductive policy ideas, few of which will appeal to farmers, or achieve those 'good intentions'
Project will identify marketing potential of regenerative agriculture
Allan Barber reports on B+LNZ's research into regenerative agriculture's opportunity for New Zealand, given that we have had a natural headstart, and big corporate support
22nd Sep 20, 4:42pm
by Allan Barber
23
Allan Barber reports on B+LNZ's research into regenerative agriculture's opportunity for New Zealand, given that we have had a natural headstart, and big corporate support
Decades of dietary advice misguided
Allan Barber investigates why our health outcomes have got worse despite a clear move of most people towards the official guidance of eating less saturated fats. Is that guidance flawed?
11th Sep 20, 9:44am
by Allan Barber
35
Allan Barber investigates why our health outcomes have got worse despite a clear move of most people towards the official guidance of eating less saturated fats. Is that guidance flawed?
Meat industry continues to do a superb job
The New Zealand meat industry is a positive case study of how to operate in a COVID world, contrasting sharply with many of our rivals observes Allan Barber
27th Aug 20, 2:01pm
by Allan Barber
1
The New Zealand meat industry is a positive case study of how to operate in a COVID world, contrasting sharply with many of our rivals observes Allan Barber
Long way from being out of the woods yet
Allan Barber says agriculture assumes even more importance now as the one remaining working piston in the export engine - which makes it essential for the Government to encourage and support the sector
12th Aug 20, 1:41pm
by Allan Barber
21
Allan Barber says agriculture assumes even more importance now as the one remaining working piston in the export engine - which makes it essential for the Government to encourage and support the sector
Time for sector to find united voice
Allan Barber reviews two alternate visions for the primary sector, finding the Koi Tu reports "a masterpiece of practical clarity" with a "clear endorsement ... of the central role of the primary industries and growers in wealth creation and jobs"
29th Jul 20, 10:11am
by Allan Barber
2
Allan Barber reviews two alternate visions for the primary sector, finding the Koi Tu reports "a masterpiece of practical clarity" with a "clear endorsement ... of the central role of the primary industries and growers in wealth creation and jobs"
Falling co-product prices prompt changes
Consolidation pressures build in the leather and skins tanning industry as most co-products continue to suffer declining prices because consumers are choosing artificial alternatives
14th Jul 20, 4:11pm
by Allan Barber
Consolidation pressures build in the leather and skins tanning industry as most co-products continue to suffer declining prices because consumers are choosing artificial alternatives
Regulation risks hindering innovation
Allan Barber looks at the issues farmers face when confronted by bureaucratic environmental regulations that work against the public goals set by politicians. Local solutions seem to work best
2nd Jul 20, 9:09am
by Allan Barber
1
Allan Barber looks at the issues farmers face when confronted by bureaucratic environmental regulations that work against the public goals set by politicians. Local solutions seem to work best
Taste Pure Nature one year on
Brand cooperation is having a major impact, with the ultimate prize of New Zealand red meat being successfully promoted to the world as a high value, healthy and sustainable protein now a realistic prospect
23rd Jun 20, 8:47am
by Allan Barber
8
Brand cooperation is having a major impact, with the ultimate prize of New Zealand red meat being successfully promoted to the world as a high value, healthy and sustainable protein now a realistic prospect
ANZCO achieves a huge turnaround
Allan Barber reports on the impressive financial turnaround by Japanese-owned ANZCO over the past year, based on both internal restructuring and favourable markets
6th Jun 20, 9:30am
by Allan Barber
20
Allan Barber reports on the impressive financial turnaround by Japanese-owned ANZCO over the past year, based on both internal restructuring and favourable markets
Agility and innovation essential for meat exporters
The pandemic shock to consumers is changing their meat buying habits very quickly and our processors are moving rapidly to respond to a significantly different 'new normal', reports Allan Barber
20th May 20, 10:12am
by Allan Barber
2
The pandemic shock to consumers is changing their meat buying habits very quickly and our processors are moving rapidly to respond to a significantly different 'new normal', reports Allan Barber
Differing responses to wage subsidy scheme
Allan Barber sees a clear divide between meat processors who have and haven't taken the COVID-19 wage subsidy, one that comes down to philosophy as much as economics
6th May 20, 9:04am
by Allan Barber
4
Allan Barber sees a clear divide between meat processors who have and haven't taken the COVID-19 wage subsidy, one that comes down to philosophy as much as economics
Overseas markets holding up
The traffic lights are changing in the world's major meat markets, some have turned green, notably China, others amber, while others, notably the USA, are turning red. Overall however, our redmeat sector can still sell what it produces
30th Apr 20, 10:19am
by Allan Barber
1
The traffic lights are changing in the world's major meat markets, some have turned green, notably China, others amber, while others, notably the USA, are turning red. Overall however, our redmeat sector can still sell what it produces
Ritchie instrumental in driving positive change for red meat sector
The retiring chief executive of the meat industry trade group has steered the industry from a 'sales' focus to a 'marketing' focus, allowing product allocation and rationing to ensure optimum pricing while preserving established relationships
25th Apr 20, 10:00am
by Allan Barber
2
The retiring chief executive of the meat industry trade group has steered the industry from a 'sales' focus to a 'marketing' focus, allowing product allocation and rationing to ensure optimum pricing while preserving established relationships
Silver Fern Farms posts best profit in a decade
Allan Barber offers some more detail and context around the very good profit result from newly debt-free Silver Fern Farms - and he sees it on track to power on from here
17th Apr 20, 3:45pm
by Allan Barber
4
Allan Barber offers some more detail and context around the very good profit result from newly debt-free Silver Fern Farms - and he sees it on track to power on from here
Meat industry performing well under Level 4
Allan Barber says that with Chinese shoppers switching from pork to beef and buying more online, sheep and beef farmers can be pleased they are producing product which the world still values
11th Apr 20, 9:51am
by Allan Barber
6
Allan Barber says that with Chinese shoppers switching from pork to beef and buying more online, sheep and beef farmers can be pleased they are producing product which the world still values
Time takes on whole new perspective
Allan Barber hopes that with other immediate priorities, farmers may be left to get on with farming and growing food to supply New Zealand and international consumers
10th Apr 20, 1:41pm
by Allan Barber
27
Allan Barber hopes that with other immediate priorities, farmers may be left to get on with farming and growing food to supply New Zealand and international consumers
Meat industry in better shape today to cope with downturn
Allan Barber sees the intricately interwoven global supply chains having to develop a whole new way of interacting with their customer base to survive. But our rural products will be in better shape than most
26th Mar 20, 10:07am
by Allan Barber
3
Allan Barber sees the intricately interwoven global supply chains having to develop a whole new way of interacting with their customer base to survive. But our rural products will be in better shape than most
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