The research station was established in 1910 on an original area of 545ha as a demonstration farm and to assess the cropping potential of the region. This initial work gave such encouraging results that it became an experiment farm after World War I and wheat breeding was pursued. Additional farms belonging to the Duffy and Bourke families were bought in the 1940’s so that, by 1949, the Research Station tripled in size to 1742ha. This enabled the activities of the Department to broaden to include sheep and pasture research as well as cereal growing.

The facilities on the station were significantly upgraded in 1971 with the opening of the present office, laboratory and conference complex, designed to accommodate 27 professional and support staff.

Important early findings

Some of the more important findings from early research conducted at Condobolin include:

• Farming systems – a major series of fertiliser experiments defined the importance of phosphorus and nitrogen for cereal and pasture production in the central west, resulting in current recommendations.
• Fertiliser placement – it was clearly shown that in low rainfall areas the response to superphosphate could be substantially increased by incorporating the fertiliser into the topsoil compared with surface application.
• Pasture improvement – suitable pasture varieties were selected and establishment techniques developed for the productive use of annual medics and lucerne in western wheatbelt areas.
• Goats – major contributions were made to both the milking and non-milch goat industries during two periods of work. Recent genetic improvement has resulted in large gains in meat and fibre production and in higher skin quality.
• Sheep nutrition – the increased reproductive performance and wool production from grazing lucerne and medic pastures compared to native species has been quantified.

Increasing yield

Between 1916 and 1937 the average wheat yield was 0.85 t/ha (district average then was 0.58 t/ha) and the average hay cut 2.68 t/ha. The district average wheat yield in now 1.36 t/ha and is still increasing.

Established windbreak

During the period from 1950 to 1972 treelots and windbreaks were established throughout the station for shade and shelter. About 180 native and exotic species were planted to ascertain their suitability for the climate. These plantings are now a valuable resource for use in recommending to the public suitable species for this district and for showing the mature form of each species.