SA Newspapers: Agricultural

The Adelaide Observer was established by John Stephens with a country readership in mind. He also aimed for an apolitical newspaper, and this was a stance largely followed throughout the Observer’s long life. In 1845 Stephens purchased the Register, so that the Observer then became a weekly summary of the daily news reports in the Register. Many articles were simply copied from the daily title. By 1852 the Observer was printing two editions - the first an early country edition on Friday, sent to Burra and other distant places, and a second 'town edition' appeared on Saturday morning. As the rail network spread through the 1870s, the delivery of daily city newspapers to the country eroded the need for the country weekly summary. The Observer then changed its focus, becoming more of a week-end leisure newspaper. While still summarising the week's news, it included literature, a 'ladies column', agricultural articles, etc. Many of Adelaide’s earliest women journalists and aspiring writers had their work published in the Observer. This included Catherine Helen Spence, Winifred Scott and Ellen Liston. From 1902 it contained a regular four-page photographic supplement. Earlier supplements had appeared intermittently since September 1895.

The early Adelaide Stock and Station Journal concentrated on market reports and advertising. It later changed its title to Stock Journal. During the 1920s the journal expanded its coverage to include some political and social comment, as well as agricultural subjects. It was in this period that a series of articles about ‘Pastoral Pioneers’ was contributed by the Advertiser journalist Rodney Cockburn, which were later published in two volumes.

The Chronicle newspaper (originally South Australian Weekly Chronicle) was established in 1858 by John Barrow as an adjunct to the Advertiser and competitor to the Adelaide Observer. It was originally intended as weekend reading, but after the Second World War focused increasingly on rural readers and agricultural topics. The women's pages of the twentieth century, written by Eleanor Barbour and Mary Broughton, were especially popular with readers. From 1902 a four-page photographic supplement was included. Photographic supplements were included intermittently from October 1895.

For a time the Chronicle published an edition for the south east districts of South Australia.

Farm and Garden was founded at the suggestion of Daniel Ferguson of the South Australian Agricultural and Horticultural Society. The newspaper was published in association with the Register. It was full of articles about a range of agricultural topics, many by local experts including agricultural scientist Dr Carl Muecke, GW Francis of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, George McEwin of Glen Ewin Estate, JF Wood of Evandale Nurseries and CA Wilson. Later the newspaper included more diverse material, such as poems by 'Ellie', a ladies' column, a literary column and a chess column. By June 1863 adverse seasons had increased the difficulty of remaining afloat and the newspaper ceased. From that time the associated Adelaide Observer newspaper included some agricultural focus.

Ebenezer Ward MP published this newspaper, continuing his earlier Northern Guardian. Ward was mostly editor and leader writer. His own political activities were fully covered together with less favourable reports of his opponents, particularly James Boucaut. The focus was also on agricultural matters. In 1874 columns included the memoirs of a police trooper ('Mike O'Reilly') and the satirical series 'How South Australia is governed' as well as articles about pastoralists such as Thomas Elder and Thomas Hardy. From 1876 wood-cut illustrations of local scenes were included. Later the newspaper contained mostly advertisements.

Frederick Frith intended that the bulletin would be published every four weeks, but only this one was known to have been printed. It consisted of eight pages and included a short story, school column, world news, health hints, council minutes, sport and articles about agriculture by South Australian experts.

This was produced by two Adelaide printers, Albert Molineux and Samuel Richards. The newspaper was extremely successful and in 1901 opened a Melbourne office and increased publication from monthly to weekly. It even had an international distribution. Contributors included vigneron Thomas Hardy on wine and vine growing, Henry Sewell of Payneham Nursery wrote 'gardening notes' and Otto Tepper of the South Australian Museum wrote about pests, lawn growing, and other topics. Later JG Kelly of McLaren Vale complied a vineyard notes column, and Robert Barr Smith's gardener, Carl Thybell, wrote as 'Gardener'. In May 1891 Molineux sold to William Catton Grasby, formerly headmaster of Roseworthy Agricultural College, and later an agricultural teacher at Way College. During Grasby’s editorship the journal became weekly and increased its international circulation. In 1893 lithographic and then photographic illustrations were introduced. It continued until 1940, when publication ceased due to wartime paper shortages.

The Loxton Clarion ran for only three years following the First World War. Proprietor Jack Irving aimed to produce a newspaper reflecting the concerns of Loxton and surrounding districts. Strongly rural in focus, the articles covered crops, care of livestock and vehicle maintenance. Local sport was also a strong feature.

The Pioneer began in 1892 as a hand-written chromograph publication under the editorship of Arthur Pitman Corrie, with cartoons by the local Methodist minister, John Jenkin. The following year Corrie purchased a printing press, and in 1895 Sydney Browne took over the Pioneer. In 1905 it was purchased by Harry Taylor. Taylor had been involved in the New Australia migration to Paraguay in the 1890s. He turned the newspaper into a progressive and vigorous journal with a strong community focus. It also became well-known for its practical agricultural advice. The Taylor family have owned the newspaper ever since. In recent decades the Taylors have progressively purchased five other country newspapers. All are printed at Renmark.

The Orroroo Enterprise was founded by Joseph Pengelley. He first ran the Terowie Enterprise, but transferred the newspaper to the more centrally located town of Orroroo four years later. Renamed the Orroroo Enterprise, the focus was predominantly on agricultural matters and local news. Reports include the activities of clubs, council meetings, local events and sport.

This newspaper was published in the interests of the Single Tax League. It promoted land ownership reforms with the intention of supporting farmers. Harry Taylor seems to have been involved in the newspaper. The Pioneer ceased with the founding of The Voice newspaper by John Medway Day, which promoted similar reforms.

The Pioneer began in 1892 as a hand-written chromograph publication under the editorship of Arthur Pitman Corrie, with cartoons by the local Methodist minister, John Jenkin. The following year Corrie purchased a printing press, and in 1895 Sydney Browne took over the Pioneer. In 1905 it was purchased by Harry Taylor. Taylor had been involved in the New Australia migration to Paraguay in the 1890s. He turned the newspaper into a progressive and vigorous journal with a strong community focus. It also became well-known for its practical agricultural advice. The Taylor family have owned the newspaper ever since. In recent decades the Taylors have progressively purchased five other country newspapers. All are printed at Renmark.

This agricultural newspaper was a precursor to the Farmer and Grazier newspaper.

Scope was a monthly regional magazine in newspaper format published by the Willson family of the Whyalla News. It was issued as an insert to six local newspapers: the Recorder (Port Pirie), Transcontinental (Port Augusta), Eyre Peninsula Tribune (Cleve), Port Lincoln Times, West Coast Sentinel (Streaky Bay) and Northern Argus (Clare). Scope had a strong agricultural focus.

This is a free agricultural newspaper published by Fairfax Agricultural Media.

This agricultural newspaper was a precursor to the Farmer and Grazier newspaper.

This newspaper was founded by farmer turned storekeeper Ronald Campbell . He was previously the Robe correspondent for the Border Watch. The newspaper began as a sideline to Campbell’s store and was originally named the Millicent Times. With his farming background the editor/owner gave the Times a strong agricultural focus. He sold to his brother Donald Campbell in 1894, who introduced a stronger political focus prior to entering Parliament in 1905. In 2006 the South Eastern Times was taken over by the Border Watch as part of the Allan Scott company.

The Stock Journal began in 1904 as the Adelaide Stock and Station Journal. It concentrated on market reports and advertising. During the 1920s the journal expanded its coverage to include some political and social comment, as well as agricultural subjects. It was in this period that a series of articles about ‘Pastoral Pioneers’ was contributed by the Advertiser journalist Rodney Cockburn, which were later published in two volumes. The Stock Journal is now owned by Fairfax Media.