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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

13 years 3 months

Latest articles

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
12
Allan Barber looks at the dire state of British farming and concludes, we don't know how lucky we are
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
5
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
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
1
Allan Barber reviews a cross-party review of how to achieve climate targets, one that will entail a difficult transition for rural economies
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
The collapse of the Chinese takeover offer leaves the Invercargill meat processor in a tough spot says Allan Barber, and shareholders face 'disappointing results'
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
2
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
Trade agreements for red meat exports are gaining momentum with 'progress' in China, Iran and Indonesia reports Allan Barber
30th Mar 17, 9:51am
Trade agreements for red meat exports are gaining momentum with 'progress' in China, Iran and Indonesia reports 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
8th Mar 17, 11:03am
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
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
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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
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
2
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
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
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
Allan Barber reviews Silver Fern Farms latest financial results. He puts his microscope on the company's optimistic outlook
19th Jan 17, 4:51pm
2
Allan Barber reviews Silver Fern Farms latest financial results. He puts his microscope on the company's optimistic outlook
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
26
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
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
1
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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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
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
1
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
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
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?
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
3
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
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
5
Allan Barber takes a look at how the value of meat products are shared between producer, processor, retailer and all intermediaries on the way
Even though we gain so much from open international trade, it is ironic some here are blind to these advantages. Allan Barber thinks the benefits should be celebrated here more
9th Oct 16, 5:45pm
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Even though we gain so much from open international trade, it is ironic some here are blind to these advantages. Allan Barber thinks the benefits should be celebrated here more
Allan Barber notes that the Russia’s meat industry could face a tsunami of bankruptcies across its poultry and red meat processing sectors within the next two years
27th Aug 16, 6:02am
1
Allan Barber notes that the Russia’s meat industry could face a tsunami of bankruptcies across its poultry and red meat processing sectors within the next two years
Farmers tell B+LNZ to spend its limited budget less on 'promotion', more on market intelligence, development of the NZ story, new markets and market segmentation, reports Allan Barber
17th Aug 16, 11:29am
1
Farmers tell B+LNZ to spend its limited budget less on 'promotion', more on market intelligence, development of the NZ story, new markets and market segmentation, reports Allan Barber
Allan Barber says the local beef exporters may need to grid themselves for some major new competition aimed squarely at our existing markets, just when some of them thought the outlook was brightening
13th Aug 16, 7:56am
Allan Barber says the local beef exporters may need to grid themselves for some major new competition aimed squarely at our existing markets, just when some of them thought the outlook was brightening
Farmer shareholders rejump one hurdle for a second time. Now the OIO hurdle remains. Then SFF management will need to show the benefits
12th Aug 16, 4:38pm
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Farmer shareholders rejump one hurdle for a second time. Now the OIO hurdle remains. Then SFF management will need to show the benefits