Eras
This section on Eras, leads you through a chronological sequence of developmental eras in the history of agriculture in South Australia.
Pre-European Settlement
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://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/foodanddrink/
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 WW II
World War 2; 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.
