Malcolm Rex Krause

Rex Krause was born in 1924 on the family farm on the Murray Plains between Palmer and Mannum.

Rex Krause (RDA, 1944) was largely responsible for the development of many wheat varieties grown in South Australia. Following his appointment as plant breeder at the College in 1952, the wheat varieties released to SA farmers, included Sabre, Claymore, Glaive and Halberd. These varieties had an important impact on cereal production in the state. It was estimated that Halberd accounted for more than 50% of the wheat sown in SA in the 1970s as it had a yield advantage of about 15% over others grown commercially in SA.

Rex Krause was also responsible for the state’s foundation seed multiplication programme for recommended oat and wheat varieties during his time as plant breeder at the College.

He was the 1964-1965 Farrer Memorial Scholar, enabling him to study wheat breeding and allied subjects at the Washington State University in the US. On returning to Australia in February 1966, Rex introduced a wide range of breeding material from the US, Mexico and Chile, which was used widely in combination with current Australian varieties.

In 1969, Rex Krause was honoured by being one of two South Australians invited to attend an international conference in the US on mechanised dryland farming, with emphasis on grain production. Receiving his Award of Merit at the annual dinner in September 1972, Mr Krause said that until he took up a position in the SA Department of Agriculture, he had spent all his working life at Roseworthy. “The College has done a tremendous amount for me, and I feel I owe it a lot,” he said.

Rex Krause was president of ROCA in 1953 and 1954, when planning was underway for the College Memorial Chapel. “ROCA played a major part in the building of the Chapel,” he said, “And I would like to see the association become involved in some similar major project.”