Turretfield and its Gawler connections
| Place type: | Locality |
|---|---|
| Town or Locality: | Gawler |
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The Turretfield Research Centre, established in 1908, has a rich history rooted in South Australian agriculture. Originally the "Turretfield" Estate, purchased by Richard Holland in 1853, it became a state farm and research center after being acquired by the Department of Agriculture. The center is located in Rosedale, near the North Para River, about 35 miles northeast of Adelaide.
Early History and Ownership:
- The area now known as Turretfield was initially used for grazing sheep by explorer John Ainsworth Horrocks in the 1830s.
- In 1853, Richard Holland purchased the "Turretfield" Estate and built Holland House, a Tudor-Gothic style residence, in 1854.
- Holland and his stepsons were involved in pastoral enterprises and later sold the property to the Evans family.
- The South Australian government purchased the property in 1900, establishing it as a state farm.
Research and Development:
- Initially, the Department of Agriculture focused on collecting and disseminating information related to agriculture.
- The establishment of experimental farms, including Turretfield, was part of this effort.
- In 1985, Turretfield assumed state-wide responsibility for sheep and wool research and maintained a role in cereal-livestock zone cropping and pasture agronomy research.
- Additional land at Kingsford was purchased in 1989, expanding research capabilities.
- The center has been involved in various research programs, including sheep and wool research, cereal-livestock zone cropping, and pasture agronomy.
- A high-quality SA-strain Merino flock was established for research purposes.
- Turretfield also evaluates new varieties of crops and produces and markets pure basic seed supplies.
- The center has gained international recognition for its research in livestock reproduction, particularly in sheep, and has developed solutions for improving reproductive performance, welfare, and genetic gain in livestock.
- The center also conducts research on plant health and biosecurity, including the development of disease-resistant plant varieties.
Recent Developments:
- In 1995, laboratory and office facilities were leased to a private pharmaceutical company, BRG Australia, as part of a broader restructuring of the Department of Agriculture's resources.
- The purchase of the Kingsford property allows for the expansion of research programs.
- Turretfield continues to play a vital role in agricultural research and development in South Australia and beyond.
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