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

14 years 8 months

Latest articles

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
26
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
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
1
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
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
7
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
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
4
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
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
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
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
1
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
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
1
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
Allan Barber finds that 'regenerative agriculture' could be the framework that wins the premium to be earned from a trusted reputation for livestock farming
6
Allan Barber finds that 'regenerative agriculture' could be the framework that wins the premium to be earned from a trusted reputation for livestock farming
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
12
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
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
5
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
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
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
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
20
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
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
6
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
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
1
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
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
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
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
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
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
28
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
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
18
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
5
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
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
10
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
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
11
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
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
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