COORA Corriedale's Jim Gough has decided to call it a day.
After 50 years of breeding Corriedale stud and commercial sheep at Branxholme, Mr Gough blamed "old age" for his decision.
He was one of the pioneers of genetic performance testing and recording.
"I don't want to think about what I'm going to miss, yet," Mr Gough said.
A well-known figure in the industry, Mr Gough was one of the founders of the Western District Corriedale breeders group, the Western District Hereford group and a foundation member of BreedPlan and LambPlan.
Mr Gough dispersed his Coora Hereford stud in 2000 after 31 years.
In recognition of his contribution to the Australian sheep and lamb industry, Mr Gough was included on the Lambex Roll of Honour last year.
Among his achievements was initiating and brokering the first Trans-Tasman genetic evaluation between LambPlan and SIL (NZ) giving stud producers a more accurate and comparative gene pool - and he was made a life member of the Corriedale Society at the Royal Adelaide Show earlier this year.
Mr Gough and his wife, Midge, will retain their home and 80ha at Branxholme, southwest of Hamilton.
Their son, Philip, who produces crossbred Coopworth-Corriedale lambs, took over management of the family property more than a decade ago.
The sale of 300 ewes or more, will be held on AuctionsPlus on February 23.
