History of the Yanco Agricultural Institute
| 1908 |
The Yanco Experiment Irrigation Farm was established in 1908 by the NSW Department of Agriculture to assess potential crops for the recently commissioned Northern Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme. The original purchase was for 144 hectares (323 acres) from Sir Samuel McCaughey for £2.10.0 per acre ($11.20 per hectare). The first commercial block of pears in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) was planted at the Institute. The main drive was planted with the row of palms (mainly Phoenix canariensis) down the centre, with kurrajongs and silky oaks on either side. Seeds from the palms were used to plant the avenues in Leeton and Yanco. At the same time the main windbreak to the south of the drive was planted with sugar gums, kurrajongs and oriental plane trees. An inventory of equipment on the farm included six horses, a spring tooth cultivator, double disc harrow, two single-furrow ploughs, seed drill, home-made crowder, spring cart, wagon, reaper and binder, and mower. The reference concluded 'we are by degrees emerging from the pioneering stage'. |
| 1910-19 | The rows of olive trees off the main drive were planted. Varieties planted were Corregiolla, Hardys Mammoth and Verdale. Cuttings from these trees are still used for commercial plantings. |
| 1912 | Ostriches were introduced to the area for feather production. The government was anxious to promote new industries in the MIA, so they appointed an ostrich expert to the farm. |
| 1915 | The rice variety Takasuka was grown in trials at Yanco. This variety was selected by Mr J Takasuka from Swan Hill and the results were described as 'encouraging' following several years of poor yields using the Upland varieties. It wasn't until 1922 that the three Californian varieties Caloro, Colusa and Wataribune were introduced. These were the foundation of commercial rice production in the MIA. |
| 1928 |
The farm was renamed the Riverina Welfare Farm, and control transferred to the Department of Child Welfare. |
| 1933-36 |
The buildings around the main quadrangle were built. Today they are referred to as the Administration Building, Recreation Hall, Dining Room/Kitchen, Pelde, Kulu, Calrose and Inga Blocks. The foundation stone was set in the Main Administration building by the Hon. D Drummond (MLA), Minister for Education for the Child Welfare Department. The gaol located to the south-east of the Dining Room was also constructed by the Child Welfare Department. Provision was made for three cells in the gaol plus a separate solitary confinement cell at the rear for the worst offenders. |
| 1939-45 |
During World War II, the farm was managed by NSW Department of Agriculture for the purpose of producing vegetables. The produce was distributed to the military forces. A prisoner of war camp was established on the farm and one of its functions was to provide additional labour to assist the vegetable program. During the war, the farm became one of the largest vegetable production units in Australia. Vegetable production at its peak covered an area of 380 hectares. Production for the year 1943-44 included 354 tonnes silver beet, 100 tonnes peas, 146 tonnes tomatoes, 100 tonnes onions and 56 tonnes sweet corn. Internees of the prisoner of war camp increased in number over the war years to a peak of 750 Italian POWs. Towards the end of the war and until 1947, as well as producing vegetables, the farm also provided rural training to ex-servicemen returning to Australia. |
| 1947 | The farm was transferred to the Department of Agriculture and was renamed Yanco Experiment Farm. In addition to agricultural research, it was used for farmer education and training programs. |
| 1950-51 | A woodlot to the west of the buildings (against the main canal) was planted to provide information on suitable tree species for this area. |
| 1960 | The name of the Leeton Experiment Farm was changed to the Leeton Agricultural Research Station. |
| 1960-70 | Agronomic research commenced at the Leeton Agricultural Research Station on a range of irrigated pastures and crops. Also, animal research programs into sheep and cattle management were undertaken. |
| 1961 | The name of the farm was changed to the Yanco Agricultural Research Station. |
| 1963 |
A one year Farm Certificate Course for resident students commenced. This was specifically designed to provide students with practical skills in agriculture. The farm was then known as the Yanco Agricultural College and Research Station, with the College and Research Station operating as separate entities. |
| 1965 | The Science lecture block was opened by the Minister for Agriculture and Conservation, the Hon. AG Enticknap MLA. (This is now used as Lecture Rooms 1 and 2 and the vegetable centre, previously the regional computer centre.) |
| 1966 | The Pearson Student Accommodation block was officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture the Hon. W A Chaffey. The block was named after Mr A Pearson - Chief of Research Stations. |
| 1967 | The first of the Blue Mallee blocks was planted. Blue Mallee (E. polybractea) is one of the main Eucalypt species used for the production of eucalyptus oil. The blocks are located near the "back citrus orchard" and on the southern end of the Institute. |
| 1970 | The Heath Student Accommodation block was officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture the Hon. G R Crawford. The block was named after the Chairman of the Heath Committee on Agricultural Education and former NSW PSB Member. |
| 1977 | the Regional Research Laboratory Building was completed. Officially opened by the Hon. D Day Minister for Primary Industries. |
| 1980 | Guayule seedlings were planted along the orchard road. Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) contains 10-26% rubber. One of the objectives of the planting was to select high rubber producing strains (Now removed.) |
| 1983 | The functions of the College and the Research Station were amalgamated, and the name was changed to the Yanco Agricultural Institute. |
| 1985 | The Short Courses Centre, Advisory and College lecturer's offices were built, and the sports ground and amenities building was constructed. |
| 1985-90 | Farm development included pasture improvement; new subdivisions and laneways; an improved stock watering system; construction of a New Farm Square; removal of staff cottages and old Principal's residence; and major landforming of flood irrigation paddocks. |
| 1993 |
The 'Amaroo' training and accommodation building was opened by the Hon. I Armstrong, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs. 'Amaroo' was named after a particular rice variety bred on site. The eastern end of the Mechanics Workshop was converted into Teaching Workshop 4. |
| 1995 |
The old fuel-fired student laundry adjacent to the kitchen was renovated into a student gymnasium. This was officially opened by the Hon. R Amery, Minister for Agriculture. Extensions to Teaching Workshop 3 were completed (now known as Teaching Workshop 5). |
| 1996 |
The Premier (Hon. Robert Carr) announced that Yanco Agricultural Institute would become a 'Centre of Excellence', being the NSW Centre for Rice & Horticultural Research, and a Centre of Learning. Construction commenced for the first stage of the second quadrangle complex of the Continuing Education Centre. |
| 1997 |
The second quadrangle of the Continuing Education Centre was completed. Horse Stables for student instruction were constructed. Conversion of the old main frame computer room into office accommodation was completed. The Institute and College became an affiliate Institute of Charles Sturt University (CSU). A seven year agreement for the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Sustainable Rice Production was approved by the Commonwealth Government. |
| 1998 |
The Yanco Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Rice and Horticulture was launched by the Premier of NSW, the Hon. Bob Carr MP on 10 June. The Premier also unveiled a monument to Mr Joe Takasuka, to commemorate the first planting of Japanese rice varieties in NSW, and turned the sod for the commencement of the construction of the National Vegetable Industry Centre. |
| 1999 | The National Vegetable Industry Centre was completed and opened by the Minister for Agriculture, The Hon. Richard Amery, and he turned the first sod to mark the commencement of the Food Industry Training facility. |
| 2006 | Murrumbidgee College of Agriculture was renamed Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre. The Yanco Agricultural Institute now incorporates the Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre (MRSC); research, advisory and regulatory functions; the Administrative Paying Centre; and Leeton Field Station (see separate history). |