The Australian story of wheat - in Albany!

Strawberry Hill Farm in Albany lays claim to be the oldest farm in Western Australia, being established in 1827. Our school boy history was that such early setters battled to survive because the climate was unsuitable for English crops such as wheat. We were told that wheat crops failed due to diseases such as rust, until William Farrer bred Federation wheat, which was distributed in 1903.

This year at the "Old Farm" - Strawberry Hill, Federation has been grown for display, along with other heritage varieties.Other varieties on display were "Miracle" - proclaimed by Wheat Commissioner in 1929 to be "by no means specifically prolific". Ford - popular in the 1930s, at least in Victoria, where it was replacing Nabawa (also on display) at that time.

Seeing these old varieties - including Federation which was much improved at the time, makes you wonder how the colonists did survive. Also of interest, was the absence of disease on these varieites, though this may be because the Albany site is now well separated from other wheat growing areas.

Pictures - the site -

Federation wheat - not a great crop compared to modern varieties.
Thanks Robbo - for the tip off!