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 forecast to stay firm in face of market upheavals

High prices are expected to hold in world beef markets as big changes work their way through some producer countries, and China's appetite for beef grows

4th Jul 17, 2:15pm

by Allan Barber

High prices are expected to hold in world beef markets as big changes work their way through some producer countries, and China's appetite for beef grows

Steady progress with Primary Growth projects

Allan Barber see some huge improvements in agricultural sector fortunes from the work being done now with the Primary Growth Partnership programmes, but most of the benefits are still some way off

15th Jun 17, 8:49am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber see some huge improvements in agricultural sector fortunes from the work being done now with the Primary Growth Partnership programmes, but most of the benefits are still some way off

Meat exports sold to more than 100 countries

Our meat industry sells its products in most export markets, but those prepared to pay what our farmers think they need is still a relatively small set, says Allan Barber

31st May 17, 9:52am

by Allan Barber

Our meat industry sells its products in most export markets, but those prepared to pay what our farmers think they need is still a relatively small set, says Allan Barber

Fairton closure unfortunate but inevitable

With throughput down by more than a half in the past seven years, keeping the Ashburton plant open has ceased to be a viable option for Silver Fern Farms, explains Allan Barber

19th May 17, 11:33am

by Allan Barber

With throughput down by more than a half in the past seven years, keeping the Ashburton plant open has ceased to be a viable option for Silver Fern Farms, explains Allan Barber

British agricultural report sees NZ as model for the future

Allan Barber doubts British farmers can adapt their farm practices, increase productivity and apply technology, open up new markets and make the necessary significant land use changes to survive Brexit

17th May 17, 12:51pm

by Allan Barber

UK farming looks doomed

Allan Barber looks at the dire state of British farming and concludes, we don't know how lucky we are

10th May 17, 2:25pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber looks at the dire state of British farming and concludes, we don't know how lucky we are

Saleyard activity not helping lamb quality

Allan Barber warns of "a hell of a shame" if New Zealand’s reputation was destroyed by farmers, agents and processors succumbing to the temptation to sell and buy out-of-specification product from saleyards

4th May 17, 11:08am

by Allan Barber

Climate change report indicates challenges for NZ agriculture

Allan Barber reviews a cross-party review of how to achieve climate targets, one that will entail a difficult transition for rural economies

19th Apr 17, 8:44am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews a cross-party review of how to achieve climate targets, one that will entail a difficult transition for rural economies

Blue Sky left searching for positives after Binxi offer lapses

The collapse of the Chinese takeover offer leaves the Invercargill meat processor in a tough spot says Allan Barber, and shareholders face 'disappointing results'

12th Apr 17, 11:43am

by Allan Barber

The collapse of the Chinese takeover offer leaves the Invercargill meat processor in a tough spot says Allan Barber, and shareholders face 'disappointing results'

Objective carcase measurement – essential or just nice to have?

In identifying carcase quality, Allan Barber says the more cautious New Zealand approach appears to offer farmers better value than an expensive industry investment in an unproven technology to be adopted in Australia

6th Apr 17, 9:50am

by Allan Barber

Good trade news for red meat – let’s hope it happens quickly

Trade agreements for red meat exports are gaining momentum with 'progress' in China, Iran and Indonesia reports Allan Barber

30th Mar 17, 9:51am

by Allan Barber

Trade agreements for red meat exports are gaining momentum with 'progress' in China, Iran and Indonesia reports Allan Barber

Meat companies and union adapt to changing times

Allan Barber assesses the changing meat industry employment landscape and the role of the MWU, seeing a slow improvement despite some recent bumps with Talleys

8th Mar 17, 11:03am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber assesses the changing meat industry employment landscape and the role of the MWU, seeing a slow improvement despite some recent bumps with Talleys

Red Meat Story about more than brand image

Beef+Lamb NZ is about to launch a new comprehensive strategy that includes building credibility for our red meat with consumers in competition with other forms of protein

22nd Feb 17, 10:52am

by Allan Barber

Beef+Lamb NZ is about to launch a new comprehensive strategy that includes building credibility for our red meat with consumers in competition with other forms of protein

Trump encourages trade winds to blow cold

Allan Barber reviews how large the risk is to New Zealand's beef trade with the USA if the Trump Administration ends the current favourable quota access

9th Feb 17, 8:39am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews how large the risk is to New Zealand's beef trade with the USA if the Trump Administration ends the current favourable quota access

Heavy market share losses affect Silver Fern Farms’ financial performance

Allan Barber says SFF needs to bed down its new shareholding, take advantage of its improved balance sheet, and convince its suppliers to stay with it

27th Jan 17, 9:38am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says SFF needs to bed down its new shareholding, take advantage of its improved balance sheet, and convince its suppliers to stay with it

Silver Fern Farms comes crashing back to earth

Allan Barber reviews Silver Fern Farms latest financial results. He puts his microscope on the company's optimistic outlook

19th Jan 17, 4:51pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews Silver Fern Farms latest financial results. He puts his microscope on the company's optimistic outlook

NZ sheep and beef farmers more profitable than European counterparts

Allan Barber shows there is no easy route to higher levels of farm profitability as the dark outlook for EU and UK farmers shows. NZ farmers will find it hard to duck global trends

12th Jan 17, 10:32am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber shows there is no easy route to higher levels of farm profitability as the dark outlook for EU and UK farmers shows. NZ farmers will find it hard to duck global trends

Uncertain outlook for 2017

Allan Barber finds we are looking at dramatically increased uncertainty in 2017, where change is certain, but also a time where the bold will prosper

23rd Dec 16, 2:12pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds we are looking at dramatically increased uncertainty in 2017, where change is certain, but also a time where the bold will prosper

NZ meat industry lacks scale to compete globally

Allan Barber finds the Kiwi way toward higher farmer incomes ignores what has worked in other countries, locking us out of hugely successful alliances and profit models

7th Dec 16, 8:12am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds the Kiwi way toward higher farmer incomes ignores what has worked in other countries, locking us out of hugely successful alliances and profit models

Alliance result not so good on closer inspection

Allan Barber looks closer at the financial results of the Alliance Group and finds plenty of operating improvement, but the profit gains touted look minor given the size of their business

2nd Dec 16, 12:29pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber looks closer at the financial results of the Alliance Group and finds plenty of operating improvement, but the profit gains touted look minor given the size of their business

Meat exporters and farmers must get used to change

Allan Barber finds the meat industry needing to adapt to unexpected changes in it export market prospects, yet still convert grass to payments to farmers fast. He sees increased challenges

23rd Nov 16, 10:02am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds the meat industry needing to adapt to unexpected changes in it export market prospects, yet still convert grass to payments to farmers fast. He sees increased challenges

Ready to face uncertainty

An aggressive efficiency program has brought a dramatic reduction in debt, lower operating costs, and better customer engagement. Alliance is in its best shape in years

12th Nov 16, 8:38am

by Allan Barber

An aggressive efficiency program has brought a dramatic reduction in debt, lower operating costs, and better customer engagement. Alliance is in its best shape in years

MIE tried hard, but couldn’t make a difference

In disbanding MIE fires shots at everyone else over its failure to bring the change it sought. But the industry has changed substantially in other ways. Will farm-gate returns rise?

9th Nov 16, 8:02am

by Allan Barber

In disbanding MIE fires shots at everyone else over its failure to bring the change it sought. But the industry has changed substantially in other ways. Will farm-gate returns rise?

Differences between Australian and NZ meat industries

Allan Barber looks at the odd financial structure of the meat industry that sees huge revenues and tiny profits for processors and compares that to the Australian structure

28th Oct 16, 8:03am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber looks at the odd financial structure of the meat industry that sees huge revenues and tiny profits for processors and compares that to the Australian structure

It isn’t all the meat companies’ fault

Allan Barber takes a look at how the value of meat products are shared between producer, processor, retailer and all intermediaries on the way

27th Oct 16, 8:20am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber takes a look at how the value of meat products are shared between producer, processor, retailer and all intermediaries on the way