Agricultural films and videos
There is an extensive collection of films and videos about South Australian agriculture that are held in a number of locations. The items listed in the table below can be accessed at one of a number of key locations. A film or video is not listed if it is not readily accessible from the key locations or is considered of lesser historical value. Each of the key sites maintains effective search facilities to locate films and videos of particular interest.
The key locations holding films and videos are as follows:
- SA Film Corporation (Flinders University): http://www.flinders.edu.au/library/info/collections/special/safc/video_library.cfm
- State Library of South Australia
- National Film and Sound Archive: http://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/film/
- SA Government: http://www.youtube.com/sagov
- Semaphore PK Film Library
Prepared by: Don Plowman and Rita Novia
Date: August 2014
| Year | Title and Producer | Summary | Availability |
| 1938 | Cape Tulip Colour Produced by the SA Department of Agriculture. | Is an instructional/educational/training film. | National Film and Sound Archive |
| 1946 | Soil erosion in South Australia Colour Produced by the SA Department of Agriculture | Shows the effects both wind and water erosion in many parts of South Australia and remedial action. Climatic conditions in South Australia mean that wherever land is used without due recognition of the hazards – the problem of erosion is present. | National Film and Sound Archive |
| 1947 | Corner stones of prosperity Running Time: 8 minutes | The procedures of wheat growing, combined with sheep grazing, hay stacking and harvesting, all play a part in the prosperity of Western Australia agriculture. In the Avon Valley of WA, the grain industry contributes a large part to the progress of Australia and its economy. We see and learn the process of pastoral development in Australian agriculture such as sheep grazing on extensive farms and feeding off the grain, producing wool for export. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 501319 |
| 1950 | Bulk handling of potatoes in South Australia Black and white Produced by the SA Department of Agriculture | Describesthe complete process of industrial exploitation of potatoes in South Australia (spraying the crops before the harvest using helicopter and tractor, harvesting potatoes by hand and by automatic machines, transportation, washing, the selection process and the packaging process. The film pays special attention to the new technology used in the harvesting of potatoes. The different systems of irrigation used in growing potatoes. | National Film and Sound Archive |
| 1950 | Pig raising today Running Time: 20 minutes | The results achieved by Australian pig raisers during World War 2 have been such that pig raising today is an important industry on the threshold of an attractive future. It can be expanded still further, but development must be along sound lines with a view to promoting better methods of production. The Departments of Agriculture of Victoria and N.S.W, and the Federal Department of Commerce and Agriculture, have produced this film to show many aspects of good pig raising techniques. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 204310 |
| 1951 | Codling moth SA Department of Agriculture Running Time: 10 minutes | S.C.A moths, grubs, egg laying, hatching effect of larvae, leaving fruit, hibernation, cocoon, pupation, diagrammatic life cycle | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 412703 |
| 1955 | Two blades of grass Running Time (minutes): 25 min. | A study of the possibility of a properly fertilised legume either in pasture, or as a rotation, becoming an important factor in Australian agriculture. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 224512 |
| 1956 | Water project Running Time: 14 minutes. | Department of Agriculture A.W.B. Badgery's Creek. Show overall view of the farms and dams, pastures, hoeing, irrigation. Brief reference to the Key Line Plan. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 202301 |
| 1957 | Supply and drainage ditches Running Time: 15 minutes. | Dept. of Agriculture/C.S.I.R.O. design of irrigation ditches for different types of soil. Shows methods of construction and use. Deals briefly with drainage. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 204318 |
| 1958 | Chemical ploughing Colour Produced by the SA Department of Agriculture | Is a documentary film about the new technology in soil ploughing using chemicals instead of machinery. The film is divided into three parts: ‘Spraying’, ‘Sowing the pasture’ and ‘Grazing’. | National Film and Sound Archive |
| 1958 | Land reclaimed Colour Produced by the Department of Agriculture | A documentary film showing people surveying an erosion-affected area in SA, then heavy machinery working in the covering of scarred surfaces and the making of special trenches to avoid the soil erosion by rainwater. The end of the film shows the good results of that job, in the harvesting of grain. | National Film and Sound Archive |
| 1958 | Pavy Farm, Struan 20 minute film | Farmland scene, with cattle in paddock and sheep moving in a mob. Features farm house and buildings. | State Library SA Reference No. PRG 310/100/6 |
| 1960 | Combating the locust plague | SA Government website | |
| 1960 | Dairying in the SE of South Australia | SA Government website | |
| 1961 | Cape tulip 14 minute film produced by the SA Department of Agriculture | Describes two types of Cape Tulip and recommends cultivating and spraying. | State Library SA SA Video No. SAV 1288 |
| 1962 | Noogoora burr A six minute film produced by the SA Department of Agriculture with funding support from the Commonwealth Development Bank | Noogoora burr is a noxious weed that can smother feed and even damage knitting machines. It was brought into South Australia with sheep purchased from the eastern states after the 1959 drought. The film explains the characteristics of Noogoora burr, compares it with similar weeds and shows its identifying features. | State Library SA SA Video No. SAV 1211 |
| 1962 (or 63) | Barley rolling and windrowing Colour Produced by the SA Department of Agriculture | Shows the complete process of harvesting barley, and the different machinery used for that purpose. Shows farm machinery used in various stages of successful land reclamation at Tarcowie. | State Library SA SAV 1102 Also the National Film and Sound Archive |
| 1963 | Paskeville field trial 4 minute film produced by Stuart Trigg. | Amateur footage by photographer, Stuart Trigg, featuring Paskeville field trials. | State Library SA PGR 1417/F-11 |
| 1964 | River Murray Film Australia Colour 15 minutes | The cooperation between the Australian states and the Commonwealth to exploit the resources of the Murray River with the system of weirs, dams and locks. | Semaphore PK Film Library 210 313 |
| 1965 | Kangaroo Island Project: A Cinema Club Camp; Agriculture 23 minute film | Provides an overview of agriculture on Kangaroo Island. | State Library SA PGR 1292/F-30 |
| 1965 | Gummosis 18 minute film produced by the SA Department of Agriculture. | Gummosis is a disease which attacks apricot trees. This dramatized account, demonstrating modified pruning, shows how the disease can be controlled. | State Library SA |
| 1967 | Electricity in agriculture Running Time: 20 minutes | This film shows how to make the best out of electricity on the farm in Australia. It shows how electricity and mechanisation has improved farming techniques and yields. Farmers can increase efficiency with electricity and mechanisation. Some of the primary industries which are covered in the film are the dairy, fruit and vegetable and poultry industries. The film also covers the ways that electricity saves time, reduces labour and the chance of injury. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 315519, 202225 |
| 1967 | Developing new pasture varieties Running time: Approx 26 minutes Colour | This film was produced by Mr Eric Crawford and traces the early work of the Plant Introduction Unit based at Northfield Research Laboratories and the Parafield Plant Introduction Centre. | SA Government: http://www.youtube.com/sagov |
| 1970 | Keep it green Running Time: 11 minutes | The routine method of plant quarantine in Australia is crucial in agricultural production. The geographical isolation of Australia has helped to protect the country from overseas plagues but it is the introduction and spread of pests interstate in Australia that is of concern. This film thus shows procedures of plant quarantine techniques in exterminating any pests and diseases that may be detrimental to the Australian standard of agriculture. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 422323/521401 |
| 1972 | The fruit fly in South Australia 15 minute film produced by the Department of Agriculture | Outlines the procedures taken by the SA Department of Agriculture to prevent the entry into South Australia of infested fruit from interstate. The life cycle and habits of the fruit fly are shown together with methods of eradication. Methods of fumigation of fruit are shown | State Library SA SAFLM 56b |
| 1972 | Fruit fly story Running Time: 15 mins | An outline of the procedures taken by the Dept. of Agriculture in preventing the entry into S.A of infested fruit from interstate. The life cycle and habits of the pest are shown together with methods of eradication under S.A. conditions. Methods of fumigating bananas prior to release on the Adelaide market are shown. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 323 503 |
| 1972 | Nitrogen fixation by legumes Running Time: 15 min. | With the increasing demand for new and improved pastures and high protein food crops, research is seeking to develop better strains of nodulated legumes both for temperate and tropical agriculture. | SA Film Corporation (Flinders University) SAFC Number: 415513 |
| 1973 | Shed tears for the River SA Film Corporation Colour 54 minutes | A film that plaintively laments the colorful past, the tragic present, and the doubtful future of Australia’s River Murray. It shows the incredible new pressures that the Murray faces from an increasingly affluent society, and studies the conflicting interests of the people who use and abuse the river. | Semaphore PK Film Library 101 310 |
| 1974 | The Barossa SA Film Corporation Colour 16 minutes | A study of the people and places in “the valley”, first settled by German immigrants over 100 years ago. It contrasts the pastoral tranquility of the daily life in the valley, with the traditional events that make it Australia’s premier wine growing district. | Semaphore PK Film Library 412 812 |
| 1976 | Drought: a dry old film 10 minute film | Covers drought around Balaklava to Pt Wakefield with starving livestock and weed infestation. Produced by Ron Taylor. | State Library SA. PGR1317/F-3 |
| 1976 | Border country SA Film Corporation Colour 11 minutes | A comprehensive survey of the landscape and human activities found in South Eastern Australia. | Semaphore PK Film Library. 508 202 |
| 1977 | Food from the reluctant earth SA Film Corporation | Designed for semi-technical audiences in countries with classical Mediterranean climate. Describes the ley farming system of farming, which was devised in South Australia. | Semaphore PK Film Library 323 302 Also State Library. SA SAV 1107 |
| 1977 | Upstream downstream SA Film Corporation Colour 15 minutes | A family takes a holiday on a houseboat on the River Murray. The aim of the film is to demonstrate the activities and the sights to be enjoyed by all age groups in the Riverland of South Australia. | Semaphore PK Film Library 319 404 |
| 1977 | This little pig went to market 16 minute film produced by Newfilms on behalf of the SA Department of Agriculture and the Pig Industry Research Committee | Carcass classification has taken much of the guesswork out of pig marketing. Explains the benefits to the farmer, and the way modern computers program and store production details. | State Library SA Reference SAFLM 125 b |
| 1978 | It’s the quality that counts SA Film Corporation | Designed to give the farmer a better understanding of why quality is important in the sale of his wheat and what factors affect quality. | Semaphore PK Film Library 414 117 |
| 1978 | Wheat Australia SA Film Corporation Colour 16 minutes | One of Australia’s primary products is wheat. The film shows all aspects of the industry from sowing to reaping and export. A number of end products are also shown. | Semaphore PK Film Library 224 610 |
| 1978 | Live sheep export dispute 34 minute video produced by the Stockowner’s Association of SA. | Shows picket lines at Outer Harbor and Cavan against the export of live sheep; motorcade of 4000 farmers’ vehicles; and rally in Victoria Square. Features interviews with leading industry representatives and politicians at the time. | State Library SA Reference SRG 206/T2 |
| 1979 | Farming then and now 10 minute film produced by Ron Taylor | Historical black and white photographs of farmers and their equipment are juxtaposed with film of modern day equipment to highlight the changes in farming techniques over the past 100 years. | State Library SA PGR 1317/F-9 |
| 1979 | The great train robbery 10 minute film produced by the Australian Film Corporation for the Australian Wheat Board | Aims to make grain farmers aware of the problems caused by insect infestation and to motivate them to take steps to prevent infestation. | State Library SA SA Videos No. SAV 1092 |
| 1980 | The care we take Colour 14 minutes | Australian barley is known around the world for its quality, and the Australian Barley Board takes great care to ensure that the product it sells continues to meet the strict standards that it sets for each grade. | Semaphore PK Film Library 308 611 |
| 1981 | Bush Corridors SA Film Corporation Colour 11 Minutes | A film designed to increase farmers’ awareness of environmental damage and possible long term effects which can occur due to poorly planned scrub clearance. | Semaphore PK Film Library 319 106 |
| 1981 | Annual ryegrass toxicity 11 minute film | Presents the major symptoms of ryegrass toxicity on livestock (sheep) and outlines some of the preventative and curative measures recommended by the Department of Agriculture. | State Library SA ZFILM 77 a |
| 1984 | Quietly flows the Pisant – Soil conservation SA Film Corporation Colour 13 minutes | How the community of the Gladstone region got together with the Department of Agriculture to solve a serious flooding problem. | Semaphore PK Film Library 707 215 Also State Library SA |
| 1984 | Pete’s pigs: A journey through an intensive piggery 13 mniute film produced by the SA Film Corporation and sponsored by the Australian Pig Industry Research Committee | The film is a guided tour of a modern intensive piggery, giving a brief introduction to one of the most successful applications of modern agribusiness. | State Library SA ZFILM 443 |
| 1990 | Better barley, better profits A 16 minute video. Jointly produced by TAFE and the SA Department of Agriculture. | The video stresses the need for barley growers to consider sowing more malting quality barley because of demand for high quality malting barley by overseas markets. It covers factors such as – grain protein levels, soil type, early sowing, fertilizer, weed control, insect pests, root diseases, windrowing, harvesting and silo and laboratory testing. | State Library SA SA Video No. SAV 37 |
| 1992 | SA Agriculture Department heads off locust plague with massive military style operation | Television broadcast. | National Film and Sound Archive |
| 1993 | Looking after the land: a case study 26 minute video produced by the ABC | Land degradation is one of the most serious environmental problems facing the world today. This video introduces some of the participants in the National Landcare Program on Kangaroo Island. | State Library SA SA Video No. ZV 884 |
| 1994 | Making plans: an effective way to plan your property’s future 12 video produced by Filmhouse for the SA film Corporation | This was produced for Primary Industries South Australia as part of the National Landcare Program, “Supporting the Property Management Planning Program”. Covers Primary Industries facilitating a series of workshops to assist farmers achieve future profits, viability and sustainable production. | State Library SA SA Video No. SAV998 |
| 1996 | Herbicide resistance – its your move 14 minute video produced by Primary Industries SA with funding provided by the Grains Research and Development Corporation. | Analyses the problem of herbicide resistance and suggests specific strategies which can be employed to keep the problem at bay. | State Library SA SA Video No. SAV 746 |
| 2001 | Clearing the mallee 7 minute video | Mallee scrub is peculiar to the Australian countryside and originally covered much of the arid southern regions of the country. Initially considered unsuitable for farming, it was progressively cleared and farmed. The invention of the stump jump plough made clearing easier and led to substantial clearance. The fragile soils have become saline and eroded. | State Library SA SA Video No. SAV 996 |
| 2008 | Mallee speak: Listen to what Mallee farmers have to say about revegetation and the Mallee Futures program Sound cassette | Dale Manson talks to Peter Kroehn of Borung stud Jacqui Parker talks to John Berger of Mindarie Downs Dale Manson talks to Judy Pfeiffer of Veldt Land, Parrakie Keith Payne of Wilpy Farm, Pata Barry Manuel of Merrywood, Mindarie | State Library SA SA Cassettes No. ZC1135 |