For nearly a quarter of a century the Woodruffs have dedicated their lives to developing the best bloodlines in the country from their Taminick-based operation.

But they believe it’s time to move to the new pastures of retirement and will oversee the complete dispersal of their stud starting with a female herd sale on October 19.

The sale will auction off 290 cows and calves, including recipients and embryo calves, Mr Woodruff said.

“Our first calvers with their calves will be a sale highlight, along with 135 weaner heifers,” he said.

“What that is telling us, is that quality shines through in the dry conditions.”

The sale is an opportunity to secure quality females with calves by leading industry sires and there will be an inspection day on October 18.

The decision to disperse the stud has been a difficult one for the devoted breeders and will be finalised with a bull sale in March 2019 followed by the sale of the property.

“The reality is we are getting older and there is no family to follow on here,” Mr Woodruff said.

“We are sad to be leaving an industry that we love and where we feel we have greatly contributed to the genetics of the Angus breed.”

Mr Woodruff said the couple was fortunate to have made the decision in the early days to purchase some of the best genetics available in the industry at the time.

“Twenty years ago we chose the Millah Murrah Angus Stud at Bathurst and Booroomooka Angus at Bingara in our selection process,” he said.

“These are just two of the many successful studs that we sourced for our genetic base.

“Since that time, we have been very careful to retain and improve our wonderful cow families and have several donors and potential donors in our herd.”

Mr Woodruff said he was proud that during their time in the Angus industry, the stud had remained true to “the Witherswood method” of success by using superior genetics, with particular emphasis on structure, growth, fertility and muscle.

Along the way they have forged incredible friendships and enjoyed a long association with like-minded people.

“It is always hard to say goodbye but the time has come for us to move on and pass our genetics on to others who will take our work to another level,” Mr Woodruff said.

The pair plans to move to the city and spend more time enjoying the company of their grandchildren.