Joan Woodruff and her husband John on the Witherswood property.
The livestock industry has been saddened to hear of the death of Joan Woodruff, a respected pillar of the Australian beef industry and former co-principal of the renowned Witherswood Angus stud in Taminick, Victoria.
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Joan, alongside her husband John, dedicated almost three decades to building the Witherswood Angus brand into one of the most celebrated breeding operations in the country.
Her keen eye for genetics, hands-on involvement, and passion for the Angus breed was central to the stud’s stellar reputation and success in helping to propel Angus to the top of its game.
From the early ’80s, Joan and her husband developed some of the best bloodlines in Australia.
The genetic base was second to none with foundation cows originally purchased from Booroomoka Angus in NSW and Te Mania Angus in Victoria and New Zealand.
They were also the first Victorian breeders to purchase from the successful Millah Murrah Angus stud in NSW.
A defining chapter in her agricultural journey occurred in 2015 when Witherswood made Australian agricultural history as part of a consortium that paid a then-record $150,000 for the Angus bull, Kingdom K35.
Beyond the record-breaking sales and prestigious Beef Week showings, Joan was deeply respected for her uncompromising commitment to cattle fertility, structure and temperament.
This was known as the “Witherswood Method”.
She and her husband with some of her immediate family members supporting and promoting the ‘success story’ at Witherswood, created a celebrated brand and genetic base that was widely considered second to none.
To this day, the progeny continues to be seen in many of the best cattle breeding operations in the country.
The Witherswood bulls.
The annual bull sales in March each year attracted over 200 buyers from studs across the country and New Zealand looking to improve their own genetic make-up.
Joan’s cooking and catering prowess at events at Witherswood was legendary with her slices and muffins always in high demand and a welcome sight to attendees after the heated bidding on auction day.
In 2019, after a celebrated 25-year career, with many Angus records set, Joan and her husband bid adieu to the land they loved at the foot of the Warby Ranges, hosting a highly successful stud dispersal and then retiring to Melbourne.
Joan will be very fondly remembered, not only for her notable contributions to the Australian Angus sector, but also for her warmth, hospitality and partnership with her husband of 67 years.
She leaves behind a legacy of dedication, hard work and excellence in agriculture, a devoted family, and countless friends in the rural community that will never forget her warm and welcoming smile.
Joan passed away on Sunday, June 14 and is survived by husband John, son Gary, daughters Susie, Judith and Kerrie, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
