William Farrer | |
|---|---|
 William Farrer | |
| Born | 3 April 1845 Docker, Westmorland, England |
| Died | 16 April 1906 (aged 61) Tharwa, New South Wales, Australia |
| Alma mater | Cambridge University |
| Known for | Wheat breeding |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | agronomy |
William James Farrer (3 April 1845 – 16 April 1906) was a leading English Australian agronomist and plant breeder. Farrer is best remembered as the originator of the "Federation" strain of wheat, distributed in 1903. His work resulted in significant improvements in both the quality and crop yields of Australia's national wheat harvest, a contribution for which he earned the title 'father of the Australian wheat industry'.