Brief History of the Berri Ag Bureau
The Berri Ag Bureau was formed in 1912. It is a member of the S.A. wide Agricultural Bureau movement. Its charter is to enable members to meet on a regular basis and learn new skills and techniques through information sharing, to participate in fieldtrips and demonstrations provided both by members and knowledgeable people that are leaders in the local industries.

Berri Ag Bureau is one of the founding members of The Riverland Field Days Incorporated and assist with the events operation and grounds maintenance.

Most meetings are held outdoors on grower's properties, with the chosen subject discussed with the help of guest speakers or presenters. Occasionally indoor meetings are held also.

Again we had a good year with well attended meetings. 

(21st Oct) Visited Lowbank, Had a sticky beak in a couple of sheds and see what broardacre fellows do. looked at their salt interception scheme. Karlene Maywald chatted about the issues on the River.

(25th Oct) The first of three meetings in conjuction with Riverland Wine Industry Development Council. Running trials on water use, soil profiles, surveying soils, from backhoe pits to scanning the ground. This meeting was held at Warrick Wrights, next at Bruce Hewitts then Robert Gillies.

(22nd Nov) This meeting was jammed packed with information. We looked at the relationship between fertigation, vine health, irrigation, soils, yield and colour on grapes grown conventionally and the possibility of growing grapes hydroponiclly. We started at Sam Albenese property at Pike River, then back to Bruce Hewitts.

(27th Nov) Christmas show. We started with a car trial (which we wont go into)(we got lost) and ended up at Martins Bend with a BBQ. A good afternoon was had by all. 

Field Day news 

All of the work planned was finnished very succesfull. The new Ad Min building looks great, best job you have done, a big thankyou to all who helped. The New Pavillion was a success at the Field Days.

Another thank you dinner was put on by the Field Day Committee. It was held at the Waikerie Club. Busses were our transport. Guest speaker was Mike Young a C.S.I.R.O scientist. Topic was WATER MANAGMENT and WATER REFORM ISSUES. Another success by the committee, a good night was had by all. Not sure how many remember getting home.

Some future meeting topics are, sticky beak day where members visit someone's property and look and pick all the faults out.

Currently there are about 40 to 50 members, with a general attendance of about 30 or so.

Anyone with a rural background is welcome to become a member by contacting the Secretary. Subs are $50.00, $20.00 goes to running the Bureau Movement and for project funding, the balance is held by the Bureau to run its affairs and to fund the traditional B.B.Q after meetings.

The decision on what subjects are to be perused is the responsibility of the Management Committee comprising of (current 2004 to 2005):

Eric Gilles

John Plush

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www.riverlandonline.com/fielddays

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