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Prominent People

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This section lists industry people who have made a significant contribution to the achievements and success of agriculture in South Australia and Australia. Where information is available from a readily available source, a link is provided.

H

Howard, Amos William 1848 - 1930

Nurseryman & pasture improvement pioneer. While on a property near Mt Barker in 1889, Amos Howard identified vigorously growing pasture plants later identified as subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean Linn.). In 1906, Howard began promoting the virtues of this pasture plant, and harvesting and selling seed. The introduction of superphosphate greatly improved subterranean clover productivity, and its nitrogen fixing capacity to improve soil fertility was subsequently recognised. His work contributed greatly to Australia’s progress and prosperity. Howard’s son Cecil imported a clover hulling machine from the USA enabling a dramatic lift in seed production. By the 1960s, a range of subterranean clover varieties were being widely grown as a pasture plant across southern Australia.

Image: SLSA B45402 1920

Hughes, Edgar Gwynne (Gwynne) 1916 - 2006

Gwynne Hughes was involved in managing Clifton Hills Station for many years and utilised fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to muster cattle where economic to do so.

Image: The Advertiser

Humphrys AM, Obituaries -, Reo Wallace 1913 - 2000

Reo Humphrys was a well-known farmer from Urania on Yorke Peninsula who promoted and encouraged soil conservation and supported other farmers in reviewing their management of their land.

Image: The Advertiser

I

Irving, Marshall Roland 1911 - 1986

Marshall Irving was a veterinary officer with the Dept of Agriculture and rose to be Chief of the Division of Animal Industry. He became Director of Agriculture and guided the department to focus on applied research and extension. However, his tenure was constantly interrupted due to ill health and he retired in 1975.

Image: PIRSA Ag History

Itzerott, Archibald Graham Fraser (Graham) 1914 - 2003

Graham Itzerott was Chief Dairy officer in the Dept of Agriculture where he improved many of the services to the dairy industry, helped establish the Northfield Dairy Research Centre and laid the foundation for the State to be a premier cheese-producing area.

Image: The Advertiser

Ive, Morton Beach ? - 1923

Pastoralist. Morton Ive was associated with northern pastoral interests in South Australia practically all his life. He was employed by the Beltana Pastoral Company in 1876 and worked his way through the company both on various pastoral stations and in Adelaide. Upon the death of Peter Waite in 1922, Ive became managing director of the company. He was also a director of the Yudnapina Pastoral Company, of the Stockowners' Co-operative Shearing Company of South Australia and a member of the council of the South Australian Stockowners' Association.

Image: Pastoral Review, 16 April 1923

J

Jaeschke, Kevin 1926 - 2022

Kevin Jaeschke was the founding chairman of the first Hart Field Day and based on this he was instrumental in establishing a field day system inspiring many other field day sites around the country over 40 years. He was also a leader in soil conservation in the Mid North.

Image: Stock Journal

James, Frederick Alexander 1884 - 1957

Merchant and litigant. From 1915, Frederick James built a business as a dried fruit dealer under his Traverno trade mark, using innovative business and marketing strategies. By 1923-24, soldier settlement schemes had increased production of dried fruits significantly while world markets were becoming depressed. This led to establishment of state dried fruit marketing acts and the Commonwealth Dried Fruits Control Board. Quotas introduced to control marketing of dried fruits in 1926 impacted dramatically on James’ business. This triggered a long running legal battle between James and various governments. These legal cases centred largely around Section 92 of the Australian Constitution.

Image: http://www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=4613&c=28056

James OAM, Kenneth Ralph (Ralph) 1916 - 2004

Ralph James was a farmer at Lucindale and played a significant role in agri-politics at the National and State level for many years. As a leader of State and National Farmers bodies, he skillfully represented farmers on many issues.

Image: The Advertiser

Jefferies, OAM, Brian 1927 - 2017

Brian had a big impact on the breeding of sheep in Australia and a number of overseas countries. He was responsible for the breeding of the Corma sheep in Australia as well as genetic improvement projects in Uruguay and Argentina. He holds degrees from Roseworthy Agricultural College and Adelaide University and took a very practical approach to supporting the sheep industry.

Image: The Advertiser

Jenkins, Evan ? - 1954

Pastoralist and sheep breeder. Jenkins was a highly respected pastoralist and breeder of large framed, back country Merino sheep. His ability as a keen judge of stock, particularly sheep and cattle, ranked him among the most prominent stock breeders in South Australia.

Jenkins, Sir George Frederick 1878 - 1957

Politician and grazier. Sir George completed his education at Roseworthy Agricultural College and began a successful pastoral career in the north and north-west of the state where his pastoral holdings were considerable. He was the Minister of Agriculture in two administrations, considered a moderate and practical minister who fostered research into soil conservation and passed the crucial Soil Conservation Amendment Act 1945 which controlled indiscriminate clearing. He developed an advisory service within the Department of Agriculture and extended educational programs and facilities for rural industries. Jenkins was also a driving force in the rapid growth of the State's softwood forests.

Image: SLSA Image B4614

Jennings OAM, John Percival 1923 - 2003

John Jennings spent all his career in the Dept of Agriculture, mainly in the Riverland, in viticulture and horticulture and was involved in the planning of irrigation areas near Waikerie.

Image: The Advertiser

Joyce, William James (Bill) 1940 - 2005

Bill Joyce was a significant apple orchardist with numerous orchards throughout the State. He built up his holdings into a most successful horticultural business filling a number of market niches. He was also a member of the State and National Apple and Pear Growers Associations.

Image: The Advertiser

K

Kelly, Robert 1845 - 1920

Pastoralist and politician. Robert Kelly was a pastoralist at Merrindie station, Giles Corner. Elected to parliament, he became a member of the pastoral lands royal commission in 1891. In 1893 the government passed the Pastoral Act and set up the Pastoral Board to which Kelly was appointed to mediate between the Crown and pastoralists. In 1905 Kelly became a member of the newly inaugurated Land Board and, also the Advances to Settlers Board. From about 1915 he administered the Drought Relief Act, which prevented the wholesale abandonment of much of the mallee country.

Image: SLSA Image B1503

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