Turretfield Research Centre
History of the centre
The Turretfield Research Centre was established in 1908. As a result of review of state research centres in 1985, Turretfield:
- assumed state-wide responsibility for sheep and wool research
- maintained a role in cereal-livestock zone cropping and pasture agronomy research.
Additional land at Kingsford was purchased in July 1989. A new office, laboratory and conference facilities opened in October 1991.
In August 1995, laboratory and office facilities were leased to a private commercial pharmaceutical company, BRG Australia. This move was part of SARDI’s charter to:
- promote industry development
- reduce reliance on public sector funding.
Funds to finance research at Turretfield are derived from the State Government, industry trusts, and the private sector.
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), currently operates programs from Turretfield Research Centre.
John R Goode document 'The History of Turretfield'
The following paper was compiled by the late John R Goode and written by Jason Hopton. It has been provided for publication on the site by his family with thanks from Charlie Goode, Naracoorte.
The paper details the early settlement of the area and owners of the property including John Reid, G Causby and Henry Dundas Murray. A boiling down works was established on the site in 1849 to produce tallow when no markets were available for sheep. A section of the property was sold to Richard Holland and the house built in about 1854.
The 1800 acres carried 5000 sheep and cropping soon commenced. Following a number of owners, 2604 acres were purchased by the SA Government and a dairy and stud farm established in 1908. The paper mentions various Officers’ in Charge until the 1960s.
The History of Turretfield by John R Goode ( or ) OR HTML version
Advertiser news article 'Researchers cover the field'
The following article was published in Adelaide's newspaper The Advertiser, on 25 October 1989. It outlines some of the coordinated research programs that were carried out at the Turretfield Research Centre: