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

That was 2018 – now for 2019

Allan Barber says if 2018 was full of unexpected developments and uncertainties, 2019 is likely to be even more challenging

15th Jan 19, 5:39pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says if 2018 was full of unexpected developments and uncertainties, 2019 is likely to be even more challenging

Reflections on the year that was

Allan Barber looks back of a year where New Zealand agriculture had to face a range of unexpected developments and a number of growing uncertainties, almost all of which will be festering in 2019

19th Dec 18, 8:26am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber looks back of a year where New Zealand agriculture had to face a range of unexpected developments and a number of growing uncertainties, almost all of which will be festering in 2019

Alliance puts positive spin on disappointing result

With a good balance sheet, Alliance is repositioning itself to capture better margins from its $1.6 bln in revenue, a goal that wasn't achieved in its last year's results. Its promise is in the future

5th Dec 18, 3:58pm

by Allan Barber

Fonterra – right question, wrong answer

Allan Barber says the inescapable conclusion is that it is the ownership structure, not board composition, inhibiting Fonterra from reaching its true potential

21st Nov 18, 8:47am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says the inescapable conclusion is that it is the ownership structure, not board composition, inhibiting Fonterra from reaching its true potential

Strong progress with origin brand development

Allan Barber reports the 'Taste Pure Nature' brand is almost ready to roll out in two key California cities, and Shanghai. The target is the conscious foodie consumer group; the goal is sustained up-sized returns

10th Nov 18, 9:57am

by Allan Barber

Meat companies only have themselves to blame, if lamb cost too high

Allan Barber sees silly procurement competition as the bane of the meat industry, distorting signals to producers, and roiling industry sustainability

27th Oct 18, 10:16am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees silly procurement competition as the bane of the meat industry, distorting signals to producers, and roiling industry sustainability

Multi-pronged approach critical to successful environment strategy

Allan Barber reviews how sheep and beef farmers can meet their industry environmental targets, through individual and group actions, responsive to key data

28th Sep 18, 11:47am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews how sheep and beef farmers can meet their industry environmental targets, through individual and group actions, responsive to key data

World not yet falling apart

Allan Barber notes that New Zealand agriculture has reached peak production volume. From here out, survival and prosperity will only happen up the value chain

5th Sep 18, 11:32am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber notes that New Zealand agriculture has reached peak production volume. From here out, survival and prosperity will only happen up the value chain

NAIT still long way from meeting original objective

Allan Barber reviews the soap opera that is NAIT and finds little has changed despite reviews and clear indications the program is not delivering what it promised

22nd Aug 18, 4:42pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the soap opera that is NAIT and finds little has changed despite reviews and clear indications the program is not delivering what it promised

Red Meat sector confident despite some headwinds

The red meat sector is changing fast, as fast as its trading environment. Allan Barber assesses whether they are keeping up with all the transitions going on around them

9th Aug 18, 3:38pm

by Allan Barber

The red meat sector is changing fast, as fast as its trading environment. Allan Barber assesses whether they are keeping up with all the transitions going on around them

China presents opportunity, and complexity

Red meat exporters schooled in the key factors needed to succeed in China - and not risking it all there despite the lures is also a core takeaway

3rd Aug 18, 8:36am

by Allan Barber

Red meat exporters schooled in the key factors needed to succeed in China - and not risking it all there despite the lures is also a core takeaway

Trade outlook still bright, but not without challenges

While there may be bumps in the road at present, MFAT's key negotiator sees bright prospects for our primary products and the story they can tell. Non-tariff barriers are the greater threat, he says

2nd Aug 18, 12:31pm

by Allan Barber

While there may be bumps in the road at present, MFAT's key negotiator sees bright prospects for our primary products and the story they can tell. Non-tariff barriers are the greater threat, he says

RMPP Action Network farmer-led approach grows

Allan Barber updates and reviews a key idea to improve on-farm productivity, one that may involve a quarter of all sheep & beef farms, and one that has a great chance of success

25th Jul 18, 8:42am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber updates and reviews a key idea to improve on-farm productivity, one that may involve a quarter of all sheep & beef farms, and one that has a great chance of success

Blue Sky posts improved result for 2018

Allan Barber reviews Blue Sky Meats chequered performance, this year a rare profit. Is this the turnaround that they need to justify the farmer loyalty they have enjoyed?

13th Jul 18, 10:51am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews Blue Sky Meats chequered performance, this year a rare profit. Is this the turnaround that they need to justify the farmer loyalty they have enjoyed?

Alternative proteins just one of several disruptions

Allan Barber says disruption is coming from many directions for red meat, but the industry has an ideal opportunity to respond with a natural, grass-fed message for premium markets

11th Jul 18, 8:37am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says disruption is coming from many directions for red meat, but the industry has an ideal opportunity to respond with a natural, grass-fed message for premium markets

Levy increase targets investment in essential areas

Both farmers and the red meat processing industry enthusiastically support the work developing an origin brand, supporting and developing higher environmental credentials

27th Jun 18, 7:02am

by Allan Barber

Both farmers and the red meat processing industry enthusiastically support the work developing an origin brand, supporting and developing higher environmental credentials

Ambitious environment strategy key to meeting customer demands

The coming country of origin brand campaign, the new Environment Strategy, and the Red Meat Story bolster a strong environmental backstory for the Taste Pure Nature pitch

13th Jun 18, 10:46am

by Allan Barber

The coming country of origin brand campaign, the new Environment Strategy, and the Red Meat Story bolster a strong environmental backstory for the Taste Pure Nature pitch

Meat company results only average for 2017 – will 2018 be any better?

Allan Barber reviews some decidedly average results by the key meat processors, even as farmer returns are high in the face of aggressive competition

11th Jun 18, 4:11pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews some decidedly average results by the key meat processors, even as farmer returns are high in the face of aggressive competition

South Island farmers still being short-changed

Allan Barber says South Island cooperatives need to take a hard look at the message they communicate to their suppliers by continually pitching their schedules far below real market values

16th May 18, 6:02am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says South Island cooperatives need to take a hard look at the message they communicate to their suppliers by continually pitching their schedules far below real market values

Forestry offers challenges and opportunities

Allan Barber finds that despite opportunities, there are a thicket of questions to be sorted through before retiring livestock land for forestry as part of the new Government's billion tree program

3rd May 18, 10:42am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds that despite opportunities, there are a thicket of questions to be sorted through before retiring livestock land for forestry as part of the new Government's billion tree program

Shanghai Maling prepared to be patient

Allan Barber says patience and a long term focus is bringing Shanghai Maling a source of high quality red meat products to their extensive distribution chain and a competitive advantage

18th Apr 18, 9:36am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says patience and a long term focus is bringing Shanghai Maling a source of high quality red meat products to their extensive distribution chain and a competitive advantage

Silver Fern Farms’ result shows benefit of capital injection

Allan Barber sees a good result for the new SFF, one that justifies joining up with Shanghai Maling. But with a very low ROI, it is one that cannot rest on its laurels

7th Apr 18, 11:10am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees a good result for the new SFF, one that justifies joining up with Shanghai Maling. But with a very low ROI, it is one that cannot rest on its laurels

NZ primary industry structures suit our needs

Allan Barber reviews our primary sector's structural evolution and finds that strategy, governance and operating performance have resulted in fit-for-purpose arrangements

4th Apr 18, 11:09am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews our primary sector's structural evolution and finds that strategy, governance and operating performance have resulted in fit-for-purpose arrangements

Free trade trumps protectionism, we hope

Allan Barber notes that while Trump pulls America back, the rest of the world is making large and effective multilateral trade deals at a rising pace. NZ is in many of them

22nd Mar 18, 10:46am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber notes that while Trump pulls America back, the rest of the world is making large and effective multilateral trade deals at a rising pace. NZ is in many of them

Doubtful Landcorp will ever deliver acceptable return

Allan Barber reviews the ability of the State-owned farmer to improve its deteriorating position. Fancy words and goals are not being realised

17th Mar 18, 9:56am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the ability of the State-owned farmer to improve its deteriorating position. Fancy words and goals are not being realised