AGY-2833 | Wollongbar Experiment Farm

Full description

G.M. McKeown was appointed officer in charge in the Wollongbar Experimental Farm on 12 November 1893. This is possibly the date of the Farm's establishment. (1)

The Wollongbar Experimental Farm, near the Richmond River was among the first four planned and established farms. Its specialisation was subtropical products and the unique soil types required to propagate them. (2)

The farm was situated at Wollongbar, on the southern side of the road from Lismore to Ballina and midway between these towns. The soil was typical of the ‘red soil’ of the important and large tract of country lying between and about the Richmond and Tweed Rivers. (3)

During 1905/06 two main components of work on the farm were; dairy and farm work The report of the year’s work in dairying showed progress, especially in high quality of the milk. The main types of stock were cows, pigs, horses and sheep. Farm work included the provision of all fodder required by the stock on the farm, growing of the test crops and experiments. Of the farm's visitors most were farmers whose main interest was the cultivation of the various fodder crops required for the cattle such as cow peas, lucerne and fibre plane. 23 students passed through the farm during the year. (4)

The majority of animals in 1916/17 were cattle, pigs and horses all of which maintained good general health. Crops included maize, sorghum, wheat, sweet potatoes, arrowroot and a newly established orchard. Many experiments were performed using various vegetables and other plants. This was the most successful financial year since the commencement of the farm. (5)

The year 1938/39 was another successful year. The cattle were exhibited with success at the Royal Sydney, North-Coast National and Alstonville shows. A Berkshire boar from the stud of the Farm was awarded first prize at the Sydney Royal Show, and other prizes were awarded to animals form the farm. The average production of all cows tested for 273 days that year was 6552 lb (sic) milk using the 5,17 percent test. At the same time 18453 lb of butter was produced. (6)

The Wollongbar Experimental Farm was responsible to the Department of Agriculture Experimental Farms and Station Branch from 1 November 1950 (7), until at least 1959 . It would appear that the farm was closed about 1959 although not formal abolition documentation has been sighted. The last employee appears to have been an agronomist. (8)

End Notes
1. Public Service List,1894, p.224.
2. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1891, A.R. 1892/93, v. 8, p.638.
3. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1893, A.R. 1894, v. 3, pp.1047.
4. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1905/06, A.R. 1906, v. 1, pp.46-51.
5. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1916/17, A.R. 1917/18, v. 1, pp.99-100.
6. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1938/39, A.R. 1938/39/40, v. 1, p.140.
7. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1951/52, A.R. 1952/53, v. 1, p.34.
8. Public Service List, 1959, p.229 and 1960, p.229.