AFTER more than 40 years of service, local rebate agent Vincent McKenzie is hanging up his boots and retiring.

Well sort of, as he'll still manage his own and some client’s cattle in Boorhaman.

On his final official day for Elders at last Thursday week's store cattle sale at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange, he sold 110 cattle.

“If I've got 100 out of the 700 cattle yarded, I think I did my job pretty well,” he laughed.

“I've been very lucky, and I've had a great run over the past 40 years.

“I’ve loved the industry but it’s time for me to move on.

“The job is changing and it’s time to make room for the younger generation that is coming through like William Cheshire and Kristy Taylor...they're gonna be good for the industry.”

Vincent said looking back at his career, he is proud to have played a role in getting the roof as part of the upgraded Wangaratta Livestock Exchange.

"No one can ever claim the credit on their own, there was a team of us who worked hard for it," he said.

"If you're gonna have ideas you're better to share it and improve it."

Vincent said he looks forward to 2025 in the livestock industry as a producer, using the exchange, which he said has "proven it is a valuable asset for the ratepayers of Wangaratta and North East cattle producers".