William Farrer

William Farrer
William Farrer
Born3 April 1845
Died16 April 1906 (1906-04-17) (aged 61)
Alma materCambridge University
Known forWheat breeding
Scientific career
Fieldsagronomy

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'.