National award for Waimarino farmer

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 20, 13 October 1987, Page 7

National award for Waimarino farmer

"What you put into stock is what you get out of them" is the secret of success for Karioi farmer Noel Bates. He is the recipient of this year's Cooper's Ralgro award which he has won for two consecutive years.

To be eligible for this national award farmers must fetch the top price for cattle at their local Pacific Weaner Steer saies, with about 47 saies held annually nationwide. The winner is then drawn from a sweepstake. The saies have been sponsored by Coopers, specialists in animal health, since 1980. Mr Bates who has been farming in the Waimarino for over 40 years, said he has been sending cattle to local saies for many years and has fetched consistently high prices for his animals. He narrowly missed making first place in 1985, when he got the second highest price for his pen of 15 nine-month old steers. He and his son Ted share the running of the Bates' two farms at Tangiwai and Karioi, a total of 3200

acres, where they run their Poll Angus Hereford Cross and Charolais Aberdeen Angus Cross cattle. Mr Bates' 9-month old Charolais fetched $320 per head this year while his Poll Angus Cross steers sold at $300. He received a pewter tankard and Coopers' Animal Health products for top price at the local sale and received a commemorative plaque and $1000 cash from Coopers as the national award. According to Coopers Product Group Manager, Stuart Walker, the aim of the annual presentation is to encourage good stockmanship amongst livestock owners and promote the concept of 'top condition - top price'. Mr Walker said top cattle are produced only by a lot of hard work. "Good feed-

ing, genetic breeding and good health are all contributing factors," he said. Coopers' cattle growth promotant 'Ralgro', used by Mr Bates in his twoyear olds, aids the growth potential of steers which can lose nearly 20 percent of their growth potential after being castrated, according to Mr Walker. While not containing hormones, Ralgro allows the animal to develop to its fullest potential without the aggressive tendencies associated with bulls. Ralgro is implanted through a syringe behind the animal's ear, close to where the gland is situated.