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List of Operational Centres

Operational Centres of the Department of Agriculture in South Australia

Source: Governmental records including Annual reports of the Department of Agriculture of SA and Parliamentary Papers of SA as well a personal communications.

LOCATION	START YEAR	END YEAR	TYPE OF CENTRE	FUNCTION	NOTES
Adelaide	1902	ongoing	Head office	After 1902 various city locations including the Education Building; in 1950 first autonomous head office established Simpson's Building 133 Gawler Place, Adelaide, renamed Agricultural Building; in 1974 relocated AMP Building 25 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.	Subsequently Department has used a number of different offices for housing separate divisions
Angaston	1910	closed	Office	Adviser/inspector of orchards for the Barossa region; operated from home.	Date of closure unknown
Balaklava	1959	1964	Office	Agricultural Adviser for the Lower North region	Office closed and moved to Kadina
Berri	1908	1968	Research	Investigations of culture and irrigation requirements of fruit and vegetable and new crops for the river land crops.
Berri	1914	C.1990	Office	Horticulture; advisory and regulatory services.
Blackwood (Word 1.8 MB)	1908	C.1970	Research	Research orchard for pome and stone fruit culture of the fruit growing areas of the Adelaide Hills; fruit storage and virus investigations of pome fruits and cherries; tomato and potato breeding.
Booborowie	1912	1933	Research	Boys training farm; experiments with fat lambs and wheat.
Cape Borda KI	C1980	1986	Research	Leased property (ex WSLS farmer) for sheep farming investigations.
Carrieton	1909	closed	Research	Dry land framing trials to test viability of farming in low rainfall areas.	Date of closure unknown
Ceduna	C.1940	ongoing	Inspection	Roadside inspection for prevention of fruit fly and other plant pest infestations in SA.
Ceduna	1929	1975	Office	Agricultural adviser and stock inspector.
Cherry Gardens	1910	closed	Office	Resident inspector of orchards; advisory and regulatory service for the Adelaide Hills; operated from home.	Date of closure unknown
Clare	C. 1960	ongoing	Office	The office was originally served by a dairy field officer but later became a regional office for the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula
Cleve Sims Farm article (pdf 501.6 KB)	1956	2010	Office	Advisory and regulatory functions; dealt with soil erosion, agronomy and animal health advice.
Cleve	c. 1960	1980	Research	A bequeathed estate (Sim's Farm) used for investigations into soil erosion and pastures; the Department later (1980) transferred property to the Education Department.
Coonawarra	1910	closed	Office	Resident inspector of orchards; advisory and regulatory; operated from home.	Date of closure unknown
Dawson	1909	closed	Research	Dry land farming trials to test viability of farming in low rainfall areas.	Date of closure unknown
Echunga	1956	1985	Office	Animal health adviser; advisory and regulatory duties.
Flaxley	1985	2010	Research	Dairy husbandry and technology; Northfield Dairy Research Centre dairy activities transferred to Flaxley 1985; served as the Adelaide Hills office after 1990's.
Flinders Chase	1944	1960	Research	Flinders Chase, Kangaroo Island Ligurian bee project; the Department conducted a Ligurian bee farm for the purpose of supplying pure bred queen bees to Apiarists.	Date of closure unknown
Gepps Cross	1913	1999	Inspection	Office situated at metropolitan sale yards; regulatory duties; prevent stock diseases.
Glenside	C.1990	ongoing	Head office	Livestock and animal health branch headquarters and veterinary laboratories.	Part of Biosecurity SA, division within PIRSA, 33 Flemington St. Glenside.
Glenside	1948	1980	Inspection	Operation centre for fruit fly outbreaks; equipment stores.	Located at water tower off Greenhill Rd.
Hackney	1908	closed	Research	Demonstration orchard nursery.	Now part of the Botanical Gardens; date of closure unknown
Hammond	1909	closed	Research	Dry land farming trials; testing viability of farming in low rainfall areas.	Date of closure unknown
Hart
Jamestown	1928	ongoing	Office	Dairy; soils; agronomy; advisory centre.
Kadina	1963	ongoing	Office	Advisory centre; agronomy; livestock; inspection.
Kapunda	1954	1965	Office	Soils advisory service; dairy advice.
Keith	1950	2010	Office	Advisory centre; agronomy; livestock; stock inspection.
Kingscote	C.1970	ongoing	Office	Regulatory and advisory functions; livestock; pastures; fisheries officer.
Kybybolite	1905	ongoing	Research	Research into soil fertility studies, cereal variety trials, testing of new pastures, sheep stocking trials, prime lamb research and dairy; an experimental orchard operated from 1908-1930; remains as an outstation of Struan.	Research staff transferred to Struan C.1980.
Lameroo	C.1940	2004	Office	Advisory; agronomy.
Lenswood	1964	ongoing	Research	Pome fruit; cherries; potatoes; research facility for Adelaide Hills and became a regional office; a new office, laboratory and conference complex was opened on 27th of March 1992.
Lock	1989	1996	Office	Eyre Peninsula Rural Adjustment Plan; agronomy advice.
Loxton	1908	1913	Research	600 acres of crown reserve on banks of River Murray, 18 miles from Veitch's Well; set aside as a research farm for dry land cereals.
Loxton (Veitch)	1908	1930	Research	Grain experiments and dry land farm demonstrations.	The centre was also known as Veitch's Well
Loxton (town office)	1968	1995	Office	Advisory and regulatory functions; agronomy; horticulture; soil erosion; subsequent to regionalisation the office became a regional headquarters for the Murray Lands.
Loxton	1968	ongoing	Research	Established to investigate practices and problems associated with irrigated fruit and vine production; became a regional office when advisory and regulatory functions were transferred to this location when the Loxton town office was closed in 1990.
Milang	1953	1969	Research	Used both as a demonstration and research Centre; demonstrated irrigation potential in the Murray Lakes district; pasture species and management.
Mile End	C.1910	C.1980	Inspection	Inspection point for commercial consignments of fruit and plants transported to and from South Australia; fumigation chambers; railway goods yards.	Located in railway goods yard
Millicent	unknown	unknown	Office	Dairy; fisheries officer.
Minburra	1911	1913	Research	Dry land farming trials to test viability of farming in low rainfall areas; specifically testing utility under extreme conditions.
Minnipa	1915	ongoing	Research	Originally called Eyre Peninsula Experimental Farm; investigations of agricultural and livestock problems of the Central and Western Eyre Peninsula; long term trials designed to measure effects of Medics and superphosphate on cereal yields.	It is noted that from 1931 to 1932 the farm was carried on under a share farming agreement in which the share farm utilized the Department plant etc.; agreement concluded in 1940 and the farm was carried on by an overseer until the Department in 1946 appointed Mr. H.R. Day as manager of the farm.
Mt Barker	C.1980	closed	Office	Advisory and regulatory duties for agronomy, livestock and soils.	Staff transferred to Flaxley in 1985; date of closure unknown
Mt Barker	unknown	ongoing	Office	Cooperative amalgamation of government agencies relating to water conservation and land use issues in the Mount Lofty Ranges
Mt Gambier	1929	ongoing	Office	Advisory and regulatory services; dairy; animal health; horticulture; soil management; agronomy.
Mt Remarkable	1916	1921	Office	Established as a training farm in dry land practices solely for returned soldiers from WW1.	The farm was closed on 1st March 1921 and was ultimately subdivided into small holdings.
Murray Bridge	1905	1911	Research	Reclaimed swamp; research into establishing pastures after flood.
Murray Bridge	1929	ongoing	Office	Advisory and regulatory duties; dairy; poultry; agronomy; horticulture; animal health; soils; pigs.
Mypolonga	C.1910	closed	Office	Horticulture; inspector of fruit; additional duties such as an inspector and valuer for Lands and Survey Department.	Date of closure unknown
Naracoorte	C.1950	1973	Office	Advisory and regulatory duties; animal health including foot rot eradication; animal husbandry; dairy; cereal crops; pastures; seed production;	Office moved to Struan House
Neeta	1911	closed	Office	Horticulture; appointment of an inspector of fruit; additional duties such as an inspector and valuer for Lands and Survey Department.	Date of closure unknown
Netherby	1935	1953	Research	Centre for the demonstration of production of fruit major crops; commonly but wrongly called Fullarton Orchard.	Now part of Urrbrae Agricultural High School/TAFE
Northfield	1961	C.1990	Research	Major Research Laboratories; series of research investigating units; pigs; horticulture; dairy; weeds.	Facilities were built on land formerly owned and managed by the Hospitals Department; total area 240 Hectares.
Nuriootpa	1937	ongoing	Research	Also known as Barossa Viticulture Station; services the wine and grape industry; trials on cultural practices; pest and disease control of vines in non irrigated districts; also services dry land agricultural industries; the District Centre office was originally located here but was moved to a new building at the Research Centre site in 1978.
Nuriootpa	1966	1978	Office	District centre office for soils advisory service, crops, pastures, dairy and horticulture.	Staff moved to Nuriootpa Research Centre.
O'Laddie	1909	closed	Research	Dry land framing trials to test viability of farming in low rainfall areas.	Date of closure unknown
Oodla-Wirra	C.1940	ongoing	Inspection	Roadside inspection for prevention of fruit fly and other plant pest infestations in SA.
Parafield	1905	C.1990	Research	Produced samples for baking qualities and tested varieties of wheat; later a plant introduction centre where pasture plants were grown and evaluated.	The property was formerly a train mortuary
Parafield	1911	C.1990	Research	Demonstration centre for poultry husbandry; random sample tests for industry research into poultry nutrition; genetics and breeding systems for egg and meat strains; poultry housing design.
Parndana	1954	1985	Research	Also known as the Kangaroo Island Research Centre; evolved from the Soldier Settlement Scheme (WW2); emphasis on pasture utilization by sheep; mineral nutrition of pastures; testing of pasture species; livestock research.
Penola	C.1930	unknown	Research	Established early 1930's; field trials were conducted by the South Eastern Tobacco Grower's Association.
Pinnaroo	C.1940	ongoing	Inspection	Seasonal roadside inspection for prevention of fruit fly and other plant pest infestations in SA.
Pompoota	C.1910	closed	Office	Horticulture; appointment of an inspector of fruit; additional duties such as an inspector and valuer for Lands and Survey Department; operated from home.	Date of closure unknown
Port Adelaide	C.1900	C.1980	Inspection	Prevention of plant and animal pest infestation; inspection; quarantine; vacuum fumigation.
Prospect	1980	2011	Inspection	Fruit fly headquarters for the operation of the pest eradication unit including state plant quarantine.	Moved to 33 Ferguson St. Glenside
Pt Augusta	1952	ongoing	Office	Advisory and regulatory functions; livestock; later became regional headquarters for the Northern Region.
Pt Lincoln	1929	ongoing	Office	Advisory and regulatory functions; dairy; agronomy; livestock; C.1980 became the regional headquarters for the Eyre Region.
Quorn	1937	closed	Office	Regulatory; advisory; livestock.	Date of closure unknown
Renmark	unknown	1996	Office	Advisory and regulatory functions; horticulture.
Riverton	1929	1969	Office	Advisory and regulatory functions; agronomy; crop production; poultry husbandry.
Roseworthy	1887	1902	Office	Original head office 1887-1902, prior to formation of the Dept. of Agriculture as a separate entity.
Roseworthy	1988	2009	Information Centre	Located at Roseworthy Agricultural College; a major distribution hub for Department of Agriculture publications.
Roseworthy	C.1990	ongoing	Research	The pig and poultry production institute was the first group located there after the closure of the Northfield piggery and Parafield poultry facility; subsequently expanded to include the focus for most animal research when the University of Adelaide and South Australian Research and Development Institute, (SARDI) relocated their livestock research and teaching capability to the site in C.1990.
Shannon	1910	closed	Research	Dry land farming trials to test viability of farming in low rainfall areas.	Date of closure unknown
Streaky Bay	1929	2010	Office	Advisory; dry land cereals crops; animal husbandry.	Date of closure unknown
Struan	1948	ongoing	Research	In 1948 developed for cattle and sheep trials; in 1973 the Struan district office was located at Struan house; in 1977 became SE Regional headquarters; there was a significant laboratory established during the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis eradication campaign; expanded to accommodate staff transferred from Kybybolite 1996.
Swanport	1927	1929	Research	Irrigation; pasture development for the dairy industry.
Turretfield	1909	ongoing	Research	Initially developed as a dairy and stud farm but converted to investigating cereal, seeds and livestock production; investigation into weeds and pest animal control; soil conservation; early tillage machinery development.
Undalya	1946	C.1960	Home office	Apiaries; advisory and regulatory functions.
Urrbrae (Waite)	1924	ongoing	Research	The site was originally bequest by Mr Peter Waite; it was established as the Waite Agricultural Research Institute; the Department of Agriculture conducted research and learning programs here; approximately 300 people transferred to Waite from Northfield in the early 1990's; developed as a major agricultural research centre for Commonwealth and State government along with private sector interests; gained international acclaim; now a Campus of the University of Adelaide; is a precinct for multiple agricultural functions, including South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
Victor Harbor	1986	2011	Office	Pastures; advisory and regulatory functions; crops.
Virginia	1978	2010	Office	Advisory service; research; other services to horticulture industries on the Adelaide plains.	Office space was leased in the Virginia Horticulture Centre from 1996 onwards.
Waikerie	1910	1996	Office	Horticulture; advisory and regulatory functions.
Wanbi	1946	C.1990	Research	In 1946 the leasehold was surrendered to the crown as a conservation reserve and subsequently became a research centre to combat soil erosion as sand drift was a grave problem in the Mallee area; cattle, cereal and fertiliser studies were also conducted.
Willalooka	1952	C.1960	Research	A 500 acre (202.35 hectare) block, located in the Hundred of Willalooka (near Keith), was sown in 1949 by the Lands Department to test the economics of land development in the area.
Wirrabara	1905	C.1950	Office	Inspector and advisory services to orchards; shared office accommodation with Department of Woods and Forests.
Wudinna	1996	2010	Office	Centre for the Eyre Peninsula Rural Adjustment Plan; agronomy advice.
Yamba	1957	ongoing	Inspection	First 24 hour road block established; roadside inspection for prevention of fruit fly and other plant pest infestations in SA.

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