After 25 years in the industry, John and Joan Woodruff will disperse their stud, Witherswood Angus, across a three-stage process.
Beginning with a female herd sale on October 19, the Woodruffs will auction off all cows, cow and calf units, weaner heifers, recipient cows and embryos.
Following that, they will hold the last Witherswood Angus bull sale in March, with the sale of the property the final stage.
It comes after the couple were part of a consortium of buyers who secured the record-breaking $150,000 Millah Murrah Kingdom K35 in 2015.
“This has been a very difficult decision,” John said.
“We have thought long and hard about it – but the reality is we are getting older, and there is no family to follow on.”
Based at Taminick, Witherswood have a breeding herd of more than 350 registered cows.
“We work hard to retain the Witherswood type of functional high fertility, soundly structured cattle that are in good working order, and not over fat,” stud manager Ian Peake said.
“We believe that in maintaining these traits, as the foundation of any breeding program, gives the breeder more options in targeting various markets along the supply chain.”
After the dispersal is complete, John and Joan will trade the country for city life – keen to spend more time with their children and extended family.