Ted's father used old-fashioned remedies for any health problems which occurred in plants or animals. Natural manures were used as fertiliser. When Ted reached adulthood he attended University and obtained degrees in agricultural science. He learnt about petro-chemical fertilisers and how to use them, together with extensive studies in the application and use of herbicides and pesticides. After graduation Ted bought a kiwi fruit commercial orchard.

Here he applied his knowledge and for a few years the venture was quite successful. Then he noticed that he was losing 20% of his crop because of poor keeping quality. Because of this problem he was also unable to export his fruit. At this stage Ted began to look at natural fertilisers such as fish and seaweed. Enquiries through Government Departments revealed that no scientific studies had been carried out on natural fertilisers and the Department stated that 20% loss of crops or even 20% herd mortality was quite okay. The solution was more production! Ted observed that the more fertiliser he applied the more health problems occurred. Ted felt that there must be a better way of farming and set about establishing a business to market natural liquid fertilisers.