Eras
Discover the chronological sequence of developmental eras in the history of South Australian agriculture.
European settlement
- Planning and surveying
- Land title distribution mainly for growing wheat
Self-sufficiency of the Colony
- Expansion
- Land clearing and development
- Innovation and the beginning of farm mechanisation
Development of transport
- Drought and declining yields drive the development and adoption of alternative farming methods
- Expansion of transport infrastructure (roads, rail and seaports) encourage export market development
Research and irrigation
- World War I – establishment of war service settlement schemes
- Early development of the Department of Agriculture with a focus on research and establishment of a network of experimental farms
- Government infrastructure set up to develop irrigation schemes including the Murray District Irrigation Scheme,
the reclamation of Murray Swamps for dairying and the South Eastern Drainage Scheme for cereal growing
Great Depression
- Great economic depression and oversupply of world markets
- Soil conservation techniques introduced for dry land farming districts
- The Marginal Lands Act introduced
World War II
- Maximisation of production
Post-war boom
- Reintroduction of war service settlement scheme
- Boost in agricultural science programs, including trace elements used in the South East
Rapid technological development
- Communication and technology advances
- National programs introduced
World markets
- Coordinating, consolidating and developing farming programs for conservation and profitability
- Production catering to world market demand
Focus on sustainability
- Focus on profitability and sustainability utilising modern technological advances and past knowledge and experience
- Trend towards larger land holdings and corporate ownership
- Reduced government involvement in marketing of agricultural commodities
References
Abbot, R.K., Minister of Lands, 1986, The Measure of the Land, Department of Lands South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia.