Resource

Creators

Radcliffe, John; Tideman, Arthur; Roberts, Trevor; Windle, Barry; Wickes, Roger; Philp, Barry; Fraser, Tricia; Plowman, Don; Cole, Phil; Gogler, Kevin; Novia, Rita; Barber, Mark; Giles, Bill; Moran, Paul; Collins, Neil; Heap, Paul; and O'Neil, Bernie

Title

History of Agriculture in SA

Imprint

Department of Primary Industries and Regions, Adelaide, 2000s

Url

https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/

Format

HTML

Description

This comprehensive web resource is about the development of agriculture in South Ausatralia. It contains photos, biographies, oral histories, publications, reports, strategic documents, articles, maps, historical information, timelines, and a working bibliography,

The material contained within this website is a product of many volunteers, mostly former Department members. There are over 70 topic contributors and many more who have provided material, and reviewed documents prepared.

Abstract

This History of Agriculture in South Australia website includes documents, manuscripts, personal accounts, transcripts, and photos of the development of agricultural industries in South Australia, through to the present day. It recounts the historical roles played by:
* the State Government Department of Agriculture;
* Agricultural Bureaus;
* learning institutions;
* agricultural producers and innovators;
* other government agencies.

Summary of historical topics:

Early colonists were keen to expand into the vast lands of South Australia for food and fibre production. This was necessary for their own use but also for trade.

The first agriculture included:
* cereals, especially wheat, which grew well on newly cleared land;
* sheep brought in from neighbouring colonies;
* horticultural crops, including varieties of fruits, vegetables and vines, which were established as favourable land was cleared.

All was well until the 1870s, when declining soil fertility and drought threatened these fledgling industries. The government set up a commission in 1875 to develop ways of providing technical and agricultural education for the colonists.

The commission recommended forming an agriculture department, but this was not acted upon until the turn of the century. In the meantime, a Professor of Agriculture was appointed, and Roseworthy Agricultural College opened its doors in 1885.

Droughts in 1885 and 1886 accelerated the formation of an Agricultural Bureau system controlled by a Central Bureau. This became the forerunner of the Department of Agriculture.

Related entries

Corporate Bodies

• Department for Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, State of South Australia (1997 - 2011)
• Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA, State of South Australia (2011 - )
• South Australian Central Bureau of Agriculture, Colony and State of South Australia (1888 - 1902)
• South Australian Department for Primary Industries, State of South Australia (1992 - 1997)
• South Australian Department of Agriculture [I], Colony of South Australia (1883 - 1888)
• South Australian Department of Agriculture [II], State of South Australia (1902 - 1906)
• South Australian Department of Agriculture [III], State of South Australia (1908 - 1975)
• South Australian Department of Agriculture [IV], State of South Australia (1979 - 1992)
• South Australian Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, State of South Australia (1975 - 1979)
• South Australian Department of Agriculture and Intelligence, State of South Australia (1906 - 1908)

People

• Radcliffe, John Clive (1938 - )

Related Published resources

hasPart

• 'Obituary: Ray Beckwith OAM', in History of Agriculture in SA, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, Adelaide, 2012, https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/people_and_achievements/obituaries_a-z. Details
• O'Neil, Bernard, 'Oral history interviews: transcripts with log sheets', in History of Agriculture in SA, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, Adelaide, 2003, https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/people_and_achievements/audiotranscripts_excerpts. Details
• 'Personal recollections', in History of Agriculture in SA, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, Adelaide, 2000s, https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/people_and_achievements/life_stories. Details
• Robinson, Ben, 'Obituaries: Milton (Spike) Spurling FAIAST', in History of Agriculture in SA, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, Adelaide, 2005. https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/people_and_achievements/obituaries_a-z. Details