Allan grew up that quintessential rural Kiwi kid, spending holidays on his uncle’s sheep and beef farm. While studying and qualifying to be a Vet at Massey University in the early 1980s, he made money selling possum skins and venison. In fact, the bush is still a place you’ll often find Allan to this day.
Allan worked in rural practice in South Taranaki for 20 years before moving to Mid Canterbury where he went on to head a large veterinary practice mainly involving large animals. His main veterinary interest and work has involved dairy cattle, particularly around preventive medicine and a focus on economic return for the farmer/client.
It was during this time Allan had a realisation that many of the problems he saw originated from poor nutrition caused by low quality food being grown in poor soil structure that necessitated increased fertiliser inputs to produce enough dry matter.