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 10 months

Latest articles

Capacity reduction inevitable – first domino falls

The persistent decline in sheep numbers from forestry conversions, drought and poor returns has driven the closure of Timaru's Smithfield works. Allan Barber looks at the capacity challenges the industry is facing

19th Oct 24, 9:30am

by Allan Barber

Funded by polluters, trees are marching on to food producing farms

ETS poses major threat to pastoral sector

Allan Barber says pastoral farming for food has a doubtful future when the government incentivises polluters to plant trees to avoid reducing their emissions. The impact of carbon farming has screwed the scrum already

7th Oct 24, 11:09am

by Allan Barber

Methane reduction no longer a pipedream

Allan Barber finds a local company in the final stages of confirming a 75% reduction in methane emissions from cattle on pasture over 100 days - funded by NZ public money but targeting Australia for launch

24th Sep 24, 10:26am

by Allan Barber

The spread of pine trees onto livestock grazing land

Trend to more trees seemingly unstoppable

Allan Barber sees food production becoming a distant second in land-use priorities in what could have profound impacts on our economy and ability to pay our way in the world

14th Sep 24, 9:21am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber sees food production becoming a distant second in land-use priorities in what could have profound impacts on our economy and ability to pay our way in the world

Farm Assurance Programme a great example of cooperation

Allan Barber notes the NZFAP and NZFAP+ have resulted in improvement in livestock quality with the ability to meet market specifications, an initiative built & driven from within the industry

15th Aug 24, 2:40pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber notes the NZFAP and NZFAP+ have resulted in improvement in livestock quality with the ability to meet market specifications, an initiative built & driven from within the industry

Many factors determine meat schedules

Allan Barber details the complex factors that go into processor price offers for livestock. Maximising returns in low periods is enhanced by strong relationships with processors, he says

1st Aug 24, 10:24am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber details the complex factors that go into processor price offers for livestock. Maximising returns in low periods is enhanced by strong relationships with processors, he says

Taste Pure Nature’s next phase needs social media skills

With the origin branding initiative, Taste Pure Nature, to be shifted back to the meat exporters, there are questions about whether the momentum will be sustained, or just in some markets

15th Jul 24, 11:21am

by Allan Barber

With the origin branding initiative, Taste Pure Nature, to be shifted back to the meat exporters, there are questions about whether the momentum will be sustained, or just in some markets

Market green shoots hard to find

Allan Barber says that while new trade agreements are encouraging, the reality of red meat marketing isn't positive at present. But if you look hard enough there are positives if you have a longer perspective

10th Jul 24, 9:08am

by Allan Barber

Dairy industry not so different from meat industry

Allan Barber says over the years and through their ups and downs, the dairy and meat sectors aren't too different from each other

18th Jun 24, 10:27am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says over the years and through their ups and downs, the dairy and meat sectors aren't too different from each other

Huge gap between meat company profits

Allan Barber digs in to why meat company profits have varied so much. The industry is moving through a transition period where more focus is going on innovation in marketing and a shift to added-value food and healthcare products

3rd Jun 24, 11:53am

by Allan Barber

Alliance capital raise has worst possible timing

Allan Barber says the key ingredients of success for cooperatives are shareholder capital, profit retention, continuous investment in the right assets, and the ability to exert market control. Alliance Group struggles with some

21st May 24, 9:45am

by Allan Barber

Road to hell paved with good intentions

Allan Barber says politicians should tread warily when introducing measures attempting to force change on the public too fast or without adequate explanation

10th May 24, 4:03pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber says politicians should tread warily when introducing measures attempting to force change on the public too fast or without adequate explanation

Climate Change Commission lacking in common sense

Allan Barber notes the pressure is on from the Climate Change Commission to plant more trees, cut livestock numbers, and buy more carbon credits. But the rural sector is persisting with its own pressure to 'be more realistic' and more nuanced

23rd Apr 24, 11:09am

by Allan Barber

Visions or pipe dreams?

Allan Barber highlights the drivers for a sustainable meat industry have nothing to do with social aspirational 'values', but all to do with either accepting, or trying to change consumer perceptions the product is a commodity

16th Apr 24, 9:25am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reports on growing moves to broaden the focus of meat marketing, suggesting the challenge by alternatives seems to be fading

8th Apr 24, 10:44am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reports on growing moves to broaden the focus of meat marketing, suggesting the challenge by alternatives seems to be fading

Field days and workshops are key to ensuring improved on-farm productivity brings better profitability

Beef and Lamb’s essential work for farmers

B+LNZ's prior focus of battling Wellington, and launching Taste Pure Nature, is shifting to raising on-farm productivity & profitability in the face of coming lower returns from the surge in Aussie meat exports

26th Mar 24, 11:47am

by Allan Barber

China and USA dictate red meat sector’s fortunes

Allan Barber explains why it will be tougher in 2024 for red meat exports with both our main customers being offered rising volumes from our trans-Tasman cousins

15th Mar 24, 10:41am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber explains why it will be tougher in 2024 for red meat exports with both our main customers being offered rising volumes from our trans-Tasman cousins

Flood recovery motivates change of farming systems

A year after the 2023 floods, Allan Barber returns to Kaipara Hills district to talk to farmers about how they are coping with the aftermath and how they are adapting their farming systems

29th Feb 24, 10:03am

by Allan Barber

A year after the 2023 floods, Allan Barber returns to Kaipara Hills district to talk to farmers about how they are coping with the aftermath and how they are adapting their farming systems

The dangers of presenting new scientific research as proven fact

Allan Barber finds that 'new' research needs to be assessed critically when it comes to climate claims. A grass-fed vs grain-fed study raises issues that apply widely

15th Feb 24, 11:32am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber finds that 'new' research needs to be assessed critically when it comes to climate claims. A grass-fed vs grain-fed study raises issues that apply widely

Not clear if Fonterra has been all good for dairy industry

[updated]

Allan Barber wonders if Fonterra's lock on large scale supply is inhibiting competitors who need volume to make the most of higher value product opportunities

30th Jan 24, 11:17am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber wonders if Fonterra's lock on large scale supply is inhibiting competitors who need volume to make the most of higher value product opportunities

EU’s 30th birthday celebrations not entirely justified

Allan Barber assesses how the first 30 years of the European Union has worked out, a formation that has had an impact New Zealand's trade with Europe

19th Jan 24, 9:46am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber assesses how the first 30 years of the European Union has worked out, a formation that has had an impact New Zealand's trade with Europe

Minister of Agriculture, Damien O'Connor, and shadow minister Todd McClay

Ministers past and present

The change of Government has brought a change in the ministers of trade and agriculture, but it is veterans replacing veterans. Allan Barber assesses past performance and likely future performance, but notes change is not likely to be major

19th Dec 23, 9:02am

by Allan Barber

Alliance optimistic despite horror result

Allan Barber reviews Alliance Group's poor trading result and tries to make sense of the company's optimism in light of some strong market headwinds, as well as their capital structure that is not bolstered by others

5th Dec 23, 4:05pm

by Allan Barber

Land restoration workshop in the Mahurangi region

Huge soil loss requires change to farming methods

Allan Barber reviews the community effort going in to land restoration and the related workshop in the Mahurangi region. He also delves into an example of one farmer tackling his erosion problem

21st Nov 23, 9:42am

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reviews the community effort going in to land restoration and the related workshop in the Mahurangi region. He also delves into an example of one farmer tackling his erosion problem

Downstream impacts of growing forestry conversions have meat industry on edge

Allan Barber reports that meat processors are assessing the changes they will need to make as forest conversions eat into their livestock supply flows

1st Nov 23, 12:24pm

by Allan Barber

Allan Barber reports that meat processors are assessing the changes they will need to make as forest conversions eat into their livestock supply flows