Other historically important documents
Books and publications that have historical importance have been scanned and made accessible below.
These are historical documents; therefore, they are only supplied in PDF format. If you require a text version, please email us at PIRSA.Digital@sa.gov.au.
Advisory Committee of Science and Industry (1917)
Agricultural Research in Australia
The first meeting to coordinate agricultural research in Australia, was convened in Melbourne from 9 to 15 November 1917, chaired by Professor A.J.Perkins, Director of Agriculture, South Australia.
Topics discussed included wheat, barley, oats and maize breeding and the use of statistical methods in selection; Production of Cereals for Arid Districts; Immunity and Inheritance in Plants; and the Acclimatization of Plants; Utilization of the Phosphate Deposits of Australia; The Tobacco Industry in Australia; Native Grasses and Fodder-plants of Australia; the Possibility of Cultivating Fibre-plants in Australia; The Australian Sugar Industry; and Crops for the Production of Power Alcohol.
The first meeting to coordinate agricultural research in Australia, 1917
Byerlee, Derek (2023)
Pastures for Dryland Crop – Livestock Systems
This paper traces the interactions of scientists, farmers and politicians of SA with countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It follows the two-way flow of technology and knowledge for integrating legume pastures in dryland farming systems.
A Global North-South Mediterranean Exchange 1891–1990: Pastures for Dryland Crop – Livestock Systems ()
Department of Agriculture (1984)
Department of Agriculture Committees Directory
Produced in 1984, this publication lists the range of committees, the terms of reference, and membership of all national or state committees that the Department was involved with.
Directory of Committees: Department of Agriculture 1984 ()
Guerin, Caroline (1988)
History of the Agricultural Bureau of SA
This substantial review of the Bureau movement was produced for the Centenary of the Bureau in 1988. The document is divided into sections due to the size of the publication.
An index to the report was prepared by Jeff Pearson, Advisory Board of Agriculture, to help a Bureau locate information in the publication about their Branch.
- Index ()
- Introduction ()
- Chapter One – The First Ten Years ()
- Chapter Two – The New Century ()
- Chapter Three – Prosperity and Depression ()
- Chapter Four – Another War and Boom Times ()
- Chapter Five – An Era of Specialisation ()
- Chapter Six – The Eighties and Beyond ()
- Appendix ()
- Bibliography ()
Love, John (1987)
A History of the Department of Agriculture
This is one of the first attempts to capture the history of agriculture in SA and the role played by the Department of Agriculture in key areas. Information has been extracted from this document to other articles in this website.
Determined to Improve the Land: A History of the Department of Agriculture ()
Newland, NP (1971)
Vermin Control in South Australia
Prepared while part of the Vermin control Branch of the Department of Lands, this document provides a historical account of efforts to control animals defined as vermin. It provides a summary of legislation passed by the SA Parliament between 1852 and 1946.
Vermin Control in South Australia.
Pearson, Frank B (around 1920)
History of Yorke Peninsula
This article covers the development of Yorke Peninsula from the period of pre settlement of the state until the early 1900s. It describes the districts and leading farmers of Yorke Peninsula, along with the difficulties they experienced and their successes, particular the innovations developed to make agriculture profitable and sustainable. After settlement, Yorke Peninsula was primarily a pastoral region. In the latter half of the 1800s it transitioned to cropping, integrated with animal production.
Frank Pearson was appointed to the Department immediately after World War 1, moved through positions of District Agricultural Advisor to Chief Agronomist, before retiring in mid 1960s. The article is likely to have been written early in Frank's career with the Department.
History of Yorke Peninsula - special reference to Kadina District early days ()
SA Seedgrowers Cooperative (1988)
Seeds of Success: A 25 Year History
This document records the history and success of the SA Seedgrowers Cooperative for the 25 year period from its establishment in 1964.
The history describes how a cooperative of seed growers established a company to develop both the domestic and export opportunities for seed of crop and pasture species into a globally successful business.
Thanks to the family of the late Pat Farnan (Manager from its formation until 1988) for permission to reporduce this report.
SEEDCO: Seeds of Success. A 25 year history ()
Smith, Clarence H (around 1906)
Farm and Station Implements
The Clarence H Smith Implement Works were based at Ardrossan on Yorke Peninsular, and manufactured a wide range of cultivation equipment. The document on farm and station equipment is in the form of a prospectus. Smith is best known as the inventor of the stump-jump plough.
Farm and Station Implements Manufactured by Clarence H. Smith ()
South Australian Government (1995)
Green Paper
The Green Paper summarises the history and purpose of the Act and its implementation in south Australia. The Paper also summarises the cost benefits of animal and plant control.
Review of the Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986 Green Paper ()
Summers, WL (1908)
Notes on Agriculture in SA
This document is the brochure prepared for general information and presentation at the Franco-British Exhibition. It provides a general view of conditions and proposals in South Australian agriculture in 1908. It gives a fair indication that agriculture was flourishing and, for example, lists export values for wheat at £2,152,842.
Notes on Agriculture in South Australia ()
Winterbottom, DC (1922)
Weevil in wheat and storage of grain in bags
This report to the South Australian Wheat Harvest Board and the Victorian Wheat Commission records the Australian experience in managing the storage of grain during the war period – 1915 to 1919. Graphic evidence is shown of the damage done by mice to large bagged grain across the states.