Federation wheat (William Farrer)
Trigo Federation (William Farrer)
- Date
- 1900-1903 · confidence high
- Place
- Lambrigg, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Credited to
- William James Farrer
- Field
- Life & health
What it is
Farrer crossed wheats to obtain early-maturing varieties resistant to rust and drought. Federation, released in 1901, was the most widespread and became the basis of wheat farming in south-eastern Australia.
Farrer worked at Lambrigg, near Queanbeyan, from the 1880s; Federation wheat was released shortly before his death (1906) and is considered his greatest success. It is now in the Australian Capital Territory.
What it led to
- expansion of wheat in semi-arid zones of Australia
- scientific wheat breeding with selection for rust tolerance
- Australia as a major wheat exporter in the 20th century