In 1890, rust fungus wiped out much of Australia’s wheat crop, and the colonies had to import wheat. In response, farmer William Farrer used experiments to try to create a rust-resistant variety.
Critics mocked his “pocket handkerchief wheat plot”, but Farrer’s hundreds of combinations finally produced “Federation Wheat” – a rust-resistant strain that outperformed all others.
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Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury.
