Eras
This section on Eras, leads you through a chronological sequence of developmental eras in the history of agriculture in South Australia.
The following web links will lead you to a series of descriptions of Australian, Aboriginal agricultural heritage.
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, History of Indigenous Australians:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Indigenous_Australians- Australian food and drink, Native Australians and early settlers:
http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-food-and-drink
- 1836-1864
European Settlement: Beginning of European settlement; Planning surveying and land title distribution mainly for the growing of wheat.
- 1865-1881
Self Sufficiency of the Colony: Expansion; land clearing; land development; innovation and the beginning of farm mechanisation.
- 1882-1904
Development of Transport: Drought and declining yields drive the development and adoption of alternative farming methods;
Expansion of transport infrastructure, i.e. roads, rail and seaports encourage export market development.
- 1905-1925
Research and Irrigation
World War 1; 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.
- 1926-1938
Great Depression
Great economic depression and oversupply of world markets;
Soil conservation techniques introduced for dry land farming districts;
The Marginal Lands Act introduced.
- 1939-1945
World War II; Maximisation of production.
- 1946-1965
Post War Boom
Post war economic boom; Reintroduction of war service settlement scheme;
Boost in agricultural science programs, including trace elements used in the South East.
- 1966-1980
Rapid Technological Development
Communication and technology advances; National programs introduced.
- 1981-1997
World Markets
Coordinating, consolidating and developing farming programs for conservation and profitability;
Production catering to world market demand.
1998-2007
Focus on Sustainability
Focus on profitability and sustainability utilizing 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.