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Newspaper
Horsham Times
Location
Horsham, Victoria, Australia
Date
Dec 05, 1939
Page
6
A college field visit reviewed extensive cereal trials including wheat oats and barley. Trials covered sowing times manurial rates zinc mineral deficiency hay and grain tests, grazing and crop rotation, with 1100 plots across numerous varieties and selections. Early frost risk ended with favorable rainfall improving harvest prospects.
The text explains using replicated plots in randomized block layouts to reduce soil variation. Each block contains all varieties or treatments, repeated four times, with randomized order to improve accuracy. It notes factors like time of sowing, seeding rate, and manuring as important and describes a modified factorial design for composite trials.
The season at Longerenong has been satisfactory up to the present as parched land has been replenished by autumn and winter rains. An early April fall of three inches began a period of continued good rains through May, aiding oats sowing after the drought.
The wheat variety section reviews each era and new wheats promoted to genin trials to replace discarded variants. Twenty six varieties are under replicated test including Ghurka Baldmin Dundee Benoubbin Nizam Pree Gallipoli Regalia and progeny of crossbreds Major x Free Gallipoli Rance x Free Gallipoli Mizam x Free Gallipoli Ghurka x White Fife Hajah x Gallipoli Major x Rance Wannon x Ghurka Ghurka C x M G Féderation x Free Gallipoli. A junior trial tests newer crossbreds and selections before promotion to Senior Trial for broader testing. Trials were sown late June with 75 lb seed and 1 cwt superphosphate per acre. Past yield data is shown in a table.
The Cereal Experiment Station at Longerenong, in cooperation with the Council of Agricultural Education, hosted its annual field day drawing farmers from the Whamera region and beyond. Premier Dunstan opened the new science laboratory, with about 500 attendees at afternoon tea as speakers highlighted improved yields and grain quality from varieties like Ghurka, Baldmin, Nizam, and Free Gallipoli, and noted recommendations for sowing on black and red land.
The 22 year study from 1914 to 1935 tested seeding times and rates for wheat on Wimmera black soil, comparing early (late May to early June) and late (July) sowing. Findings advise sowing after mid May when possible, with 60 to 70 lb per acre optimal at early sowing, and up to 190 lb grower rate as sowing time recedes. A 1938 follow up trial uses five varieties and varied manurial dressing to assess time of sowing effects.
A 1986 trial tested grazing wheat with sheep in late winter and seed rates of 60 40 and 120 lb per acre with uniform superphosphate. Over three years grazing reduced yields for all varieties, most at the lowest seed rate. Free Gallipoli suffered least loss, while Ghurlka and Baldwin declined regardless of seed rate. Trials will continue to seek clearer conclusions.
Cultivation tests conducted since 1937 at Py Fallows aim to reveal best fallow methods for wheat. Twenty quarter acre plots host 15 cultural treatments, with trial results showing wheat yields in bushels per acre across winter, late October and non fallow schemes, plus preliminary zinc trials on oats peas subterranean clover and flax indicating strong positive effects alongside superphosphate.
Since 1995 trials compare dry pickling powders including copper carbonate and mercury compounds like Ceresan and Agrogan against unpickled seed. Results show dry pickling can outperform formalin and bluestone, with yields sometimes higher and seed remaining treatable before sowing, though mercury powders require careful handling. Trials span multiple brands, dosages, and mixing thoroughness, plus a susceptibility study using infected seed to gauge varietal response to copper and mercury treatments.
Fragmentary excerpt outlines sections on selection plots and seed production. It mentions roughly 1000 single rows of wheat, oat and barley, with 36 plots for new selections and cross bred wheat and oats, plus 48 plots for seed production. Text is garbled and incomplete.
A producer notes a continuous supply of improved seed wheat, maintained at 19 cents, used to sow college farm paddocks. The resulting seed wheat is then distributed in large quantities to farmers throughout Winmera and neighboring districts, supporting regional agriculture.
Eight rotation systems since 1918 probe wheat response to cropping choices and soil fertility. Findings show bare fallow before wheat produces highest yields, peas preceding wheat reduce yields by about 10.9 bushels per acre, summer and winter fallow each excel in different years, with summer fallow averaging 35.9 and winter fallow 5.0 bushels per acre over eleven years. Late fallow lowers yield. October ploughing drops output by 10.2 bushels from winter fallow. early and July-August fallowing recommended.
Tests at Longerenong and Salisbury show zinc sulphate with superphosphate improves yields, though Longerenong’s response is less marked. Trials in 1933 tested 1 to 20 lb per acre applications with 4 cwt and 1 cwt per acre superphosphate. The study notes zinc's variable effectiveness across districts and outlines ongoing research.
Historical wheat nutrition trials at Longerenong span 27 years across three sites including bare fallow wheat and oats. Results indicate economic benefit from superphosphate with ammonia, varying by yield and price. six year data show modest responses, and newer tests compare 1.0 to 2.0 cwt per acre applications.
Premier opened the new science laboratory amid public inspection with about 300 at tea and 200 in an overflow marquee. Senior officials and local leaders from Horsham and surrounding shires attended, praising water conservation schemes and discussing the File Butts project and national grain prices.
Premier Dunstan speaks on Parliament's duty to support rural education and Longerenong College, urging modern facilities and ongoing funding for agricultural education. He notes wheat research, irrigation, and pasture advances underpin Australia’s primary industries, while warning against restrictive policies as wheat faces hardship.
The Dunstan laboratory, named after the Premier, rises on the old site as the Dunstan Science Laboratory. Built by Messrs Plastrier and Sutherland, it spans 70 by 50 feet, uses reinforced concrete and a tiled roof, and includes a laboratory, science rooms, preparatory and lecture spaces plus a store. The cost, about £4000 with equipment, covered August start to completion by local labor exceeding 30 men. Architect P Everett of the Public Works Department received praise for design and timely finish.
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