AGY-2820 | Cowra Experiment Farm

Full description

George Lowe Sutton was appointed as the Manager for Cowra and Coolabah Experimental Farms on 11 April 1904, which is understood to be the date the farm was established. (1)

During 1906, whole of the farm’s cleared area, about 200 acres, was under crop. The season was favourable, particularly for the early crops such as hay and grains. The yield was to 44 bushels of wheat and between three and four tons hay per acre. There were several experiments with wheat and with fallow crops. In the spring there were many visitors to view the crops. (2)

At the end of financial year 1916/17 there were 29 horses or nine fewer than the previous year. The numbers of all other kinds of live stock increased over the year and there were 45 cattle or 13 more, 882 sheep or 188 more and 79 pigs or 33 more. (3)

Production of milk in the financial year 1927/28 was 111 900 lb and 2 984 lb of butter. The cattle competed at the local show and won several prizes and including the champion ribbon for bull and cow of the breed. (4)

The Cowra Experimental Farm was responsible to the Experimental Farms and Station Branch which was established 1. November 1950, and facilitated the administration and development of the Department’s Experiment Stations, Farms and Nurseries. (5)

Surviving correspondence suggests that the farm was abolished between 15 and 27 April, 1966 (6, 7)

End Note

(1) Public Service List, 1905, p. 163
(2) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1905/06, A.R. 1906, v. 1, p. 69
(3) (1) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1916/17, A.R. 1917/18, v. 1, p. 89
(4) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1927/28, A.R. 1928/26, v. 1, p. 30
(5) Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1951/52, A.R. 1952/53, v. 1, p. 34
(6) Agriculture Special Bundles, Establishment Cowra Experimental Farm, 12/3504, No. 9
(7) Ibid