Moderate early and midwinter rains had fallen on the property and as the weather warmed up during spring a fairly heavy weed growth occurred on the area just ploughed. The spring was exceptionally dry, enabling this weed growth to be successfully dealt with. The hot, dry spring broke in mid-November resulting in falls from 60 to 160 points over the property. This caused germination of more weeds, which were removed by further cultivation. While there were light falls in late November and December there was insufficient rain to permit the commencement of seeding although everything was in complete readiness for the operation.
It is interesting to note that, until seeding rains fell in mid-January the summer was one of the driest ever experienced on Peak Downs over the period of rainfall records (60 years). However, up to two inches of rain fell in mid-January, and the decision was made to commence planting. The Corporation undertook the operation itself with its own plant and workmen. The operation was conducted over two 10-hour shifts each day, the two-hour periods between shifts being used for servicing equipment. Work proceeded without major interruption for 10 days when planting was discontinued due to the drying out of the seed bed. At that stage 22,000 acres had been seeded.
Sufficient further rains fell on February 3 and 4, and planting was recommenced and carried to completion. The total area planted to grain sorghums amounted to 29,286 acres, the balance being sown with experimental crops and grasses.
Two main varieties were sown, Kalo (18,941 acres) and Wheatland (10,345 acres). A seeding rate of 5-6 lb. per acre was adopted, this low rate necessitating the use of special gears in seeding combines.
During seeding operations experimental plots were sown for testing the suita- bility under Central West conditions of approximately 100 sorghum varieties and crosses with seed supplied by the Department of Agriculture and Stock.
Sowings were also made of several varieties of sunflower and soya beans, velvet and Mauritius bean, cow peas, etc.
Experimental areas for erosion control have also been selected and laid out in consultation with Government experts. The contours of the land ploughed however are such that any serious general erosion is unlikely.
Following seeding operations excellent rains have fallen to date the season developing from one of the driest to one of the wettest on record. Since seeding commenced until March 31 the total rainfall at Peak Downs amounted to nearly 19 in. This has resulted in excellent growth of the crop which at the close of the financial year shows every prospect of a yield of not less than 1 million bushels.
Great credit is due to officers and men alike for the keenness and devotion to duty displayed in the conduct of operations which to date have been under- taken with no major hitch of any kind.
Construction operations
The buildings available at Peak Downs were those normally found on a pastoral property. Although they have been useful they are by no means suitable for the Corporation's purposes and side by side with agricultural opera- tions a building and construction programme has had to be put in hand.
The two homesteads on the property have been made more habitable for -occupation by staff and a housing programme has been commenced. Particular attention has been paid to flyproofing and to improvements to lavatory, ablution and lighting facilities. For the time being workmen have been accommodated in the shearers' quarters supplemented by hutments and tents. A central site has been selected for an Operations Centre, and this, when completed, will contain machinery, seed, oil and grease stores, workshops, offices and quarters for single staff. A large prefabricated steel igloo was obtained and at the end of the year erection was about half completed. The workshop has also been commenced.
Three large grain stores at Capella capable of containing 20,000 tons of
bagged grainagere desigfied and let by contract to a Rockhampton fqntractor.
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