The Tractors That Founded Queensland and Where To Find Them

As the days of horse-pulled ploughs and teams of men working the fields came to an end, it was the tractor that launched Australia into the next wave of agricultural development. 

Australia has dedicated a huge amount of its landmass to agriculture. At some point in time, those fields were likely created by the first agrarian machines we introduced to the country. But, it wasn’t straightforward transporting heavy machinery to the land down under. 

Because of Australia’s large distance from other countries, it took a significant amount of effort to mechanise this process. Transporting heavy vehicles overseas was difficult or was seen as not important enough to warrant the long journey. Because of this, Australians became proficient and led their own engineering pursuits in the agriculture industry. 

Tractors were one of those inventions, and while they had existed elsewhere, Australian’s made them their own to better suit the conditions.

Australia’s Earliest Tractors 

The first Australian tractor Manufacturer is credited to A.H McDonald, who made the Imperial Oil Tractor in 1908. The first tractor to be used on Australian soil is believed to be an Ivel tractor from England, which worked on Australian soil in 1903. 

Two years before McDonald’s tractor became available to the public, the Caldwell brothers began work on their revolutionary four-wheel-drive tractors, which were released around 1910 after joint support from Henry Vale to create Caldwell-Vale Motors. It is believed that their creation was one of the first tractors with four-wheel power steering in the world. 

Three tractors led the way for farming on a massive scale in Queensland. Under the direction of the Queensland British Food Corporation, the Central Highlands prepared to launch into a new agricultural boom after the closure of WWII. Ploughing started May 22, 1948. Three local contractors used heavy diesel tractors, which pulled custom hitched ploughs that the contractors designed themselves. The project was designed to grow crops and produce livestock to transport back to England, which was desperate for resources after the Second World War.

Australia’s most famous post-war tractor, The Chamberlin, was produced in 1949 and introduced to the Sunshine state in 1950 when the mass-produced tractors arrived on December 19 to Dalby, Meandarra, Biloela, Kingaroy, Wondai, Millmerran and Toowoomba districts.

The Melbourne brand continued to trailblaze for Australian agricultural engineers when the Chamberlain 60-D was coined the biggest wheeled tractor in the world at the time.

Unfortunately, Australians are now totally reliant on international tractor imports, with the last local manufacturer (International Harvester Co. Australia Ltd) cloning its doors in 1986. Still, without the effort of our early engineers, our understanding of technology and ability to modify existing technology to suit our needs wouldn’t be as diligent as it is today.

See Them In Person 

If you’re used to working with the most current agricultural machinery, it can be refreshing to look at the old workhorses that paved the way for modern agricultural machinery. 

Check out these places in Queensland to see these vintage machines up close. 

The Great Machinery Mile – Ilfracombe 

You can’t help but marvel at the rows of historic machinery which spans more than 1km along the highway. The museum hosts a range of equipment from standing engines to earthmoving machinery and you guessed it, tractors! One such example is the 1917 Ruston Proctor Tractor which is believed to be one of three models left in the world. 

Old Wheels In Motion Rally – Queensland Heritage Park 

Turn back the clock to see the old vehicles that paved the way for modern transport. Expert hobbyists gather each year to show their collection of vintage vehicles and share their stories. 

Sugar Heritage Centre – Mourilyan

Learn about the people who founded Queensland’s sugar industry and see firsthand the technology they utilised to turn it into the backbone of the Queensland economy that it is today. 

TADOMS – Toowoomba 

The Toowoomba and District Old Machinery Society organises several rallies and shows to display their collection of working vintage machinery.  Each year, on the last weekend of October, the committee gathers at Oakey Showgrounds to run their annual rally. This year they are eager to return from a COVID hiatus stronger than ever.

Maintaining Livestock Welfare – Is Your Livestock Fit For The Journey?

The trade of transporting and exporting livestock comes with numerous regulations and requirements which legally must be followed or else breaches could result in drastic consequences. 

If you load livestock that isn’t fit for the trip, you may be subject to severe fines or convictions. Those in the industry of trading livestock, such as contractors, transport operators or receivers, who are in charge of maintaining welfare before, during and after transport, must follow set guidelines to ensure all livestock are being handled correctly and humanely. 

This guide has been developed to help you decide if an animal is fit to be loaded for transport to any destination within Australia. 

An animal is not fit for the journey if it is: 

  • Not strong enough to undertake the journey 
  • Unable to walk normally or bear its weight on all legs 
  • Severely emaciated or dehydrated
  • Suffering from severe visible injury/distress
  • In a condition that could cause increased pain or distress during transport 
  • Blind in both eyes 
  • In late pregnancy or gave birth within the last 72 hours 
  • Showing ingrown horns or significant injuries

Regulations are in place to protect Australian livestock during transport. It is an offence to transport an animal in a manner that may cause it physical or intense psychological harm. 

If you’re unsure if an animal meets the requirements, it’s safe practice to exclude it from travel. 

Failure To Define Unfit Livestock Consequences 

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) created a free pictorial guide available to help assess if livestock is fit for its intended journey. This resource dives into the ethics and best practice of animal welfare when preparing, loading and delivering Australia’s main livestock products like cattle, sheep and goats. 

In this source, MLA General Manager, Michael Crowley, stated that if the person in charge of the animal’s wellbeing, at any point of transport, causes it harm or forces it into a harmful situation, they commit an act of cruelty and are liable to prosecution “under state or territory legislation”. 

“As such, it is also unacceptable for any party to coerce or intimidate the ‘person in charge’ into loading an animal that is not fit for the journey,” he said. 

“Knowing who the ‘person in charge’ of animals is at different stages of the journey and the scope of those responsibilities is important for many reasons.” 

The maximum penalty for an individual convicted of animal cruelty is $266,900 or 3 years imprisonment under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. 

Why Is Animal Welfare Important? 

Animal welfare refers to the quality of life experienced by an animal. It also encompasses how the animal copes with its situations and surroundings. Unnecessary cruelty and unfair treatment of animals have co-existed with the livestock industry for generations. But, current laws aim to improve the overall quality of life for domestic animals and livestock. 

The Australian Government holds all citizens responsible for the well being and protection of any animals in their care; this includes those who work in industries with regular animal interaction. 

Australians have an enduring obligation to seek expert assistance where necessary to ensure the welfare of animals. 

Good Transport Preparation Habits

Meat & Livestock Australia, as well as Australian Pork, have established correct transportation habits which minimise stress before, during and after transit: 

  • Competently select livestock before loading 
  • Implement correct animal handling practices 
  • Implement protection from injury and disease 
  • Plan the most appropriate route with adequate rest and inspection times
  • Avoid severe weather systems which could affect the livestock and aim to transport in the earlier or later stages of the day to avoid transit in the hottest part of the day
  • Ensure all loading/unloading areas and vehicles are “fit for the purpose” and pose no risk of injuring animals or malfunctioning

Under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, livestock animals are entitled to get access to drinkable water within a set amount of hours depending on their species. Failure to comply with the above processes could prevent an animal from being fit for the next stages of transport. 

Our team at Global Tanks, want to help improve the well-being of Australian livestock. We create a range of agricultural products that benefit all kinds of livestock. Whether it’s a Molasses Lick, feeder or a trough, get in contact today to find the perfect solution for your animals.

6 Aussie Agriculture Facts You Might Not Know

Curious about the agriculture industry? Australia has a thriving agricultural scene – from small hobby farms to sprawling acres of crop, there is so much variation within the industry. When about half of the continent’s landmass is utilised for cultivating crop and livestock, it’s safe to say pretty much every Australian has had some exposure to farm life. 

If you want to know more about the industry, we’ve put together 6 Aussie agriculture facts that you may find interesting: 

Australian farmers are among the most independent producers in the world. 

Australian farmers are some of the most self-sufficient and rely significantly less on government funding compared to other countries. Australian farmers are subsidised for just 3% of their farming income. In comparison, Norway’s agricultural industry receives support which equals about 61% of its annual revenue. Korea gets 52%, China 21% and the United States 9%. 

Farmland takes up 58% of the Australian landmass, and 2.2% of the population are employed in the industry. 

Land used for agriculture takes up 427 million hectares of the continent. According to research by the ABS in 2016, 99% of that land is owned and operated by Australian families. 

In 2016, 228,372 people were directly employed in the industry, from that, the median age of agriculture industry workers was 49. 

Agriculture uses more than half of Australia’s annual water consumption – but the industry is one of the most resourceful with water use. 

Irrigation systems cover 5% of tiled agricultural land and produce 30% of all harvest. The Australian agriculture industry uses 50-70% of Australia’s annual water consumption.  About 8 million megalitres of water are used in agricultural production annually. 

Still, Australian farmers are experts at water management. Australian cotton and grain growers have improved their water efficiency by about 50% in the past three decades. Cotton has improved water efficiency by 48% and grain by up to 100%.

77% of Australia’s agriculture profit comes from exports.

From the $58.1 billion worth of food produced by Australian farmers in 2015-16, $44.8 billion was exported. 

Australian Farmers are trailblazing to be carbon neutral by 2050 

Australia’s red meat industry aims to be carbon neutral by 2030, which will be world-leading if achieved. 

The agricultural industry as a whole is targeting a net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050.

Wheat is Australia’s king crop, and Cattle is the leading livestock 

In the 2018-19 year, wheat produced $6 billion, followed by fruit and nuts with $5 billion and vegetables for $4 billion. 

Cattle was the most profitable livestock, producing $3 billion, followed by sheep with $1.1 billion and poultry on $735 million. 

It takes a lot of hardwork and dedication to run an Aussie farm, but the end result is well worth it. We hope these Aussie agriculture facts helped you learn something. When it comes to managing an agricultural lifestyle and business, Global Rotomoulding has extensive experience. Our huge range of products; from water storage tanks to fertiliser tanks, help you get the job done, even if you’re investing your time in more obscure crops. Be sure to have a chat with our friendly team for more information.

5 Unconventional Crops You’ll Find Growing In Australia

Did you know that Australian farmers manage to produce enough food to feed 80 million people? The major commodities farmed in Australia include dairy, grains, meat, sugar, oilseeds, horticulture, cotton and wool. 

Although, due to the diverse and varied climate, farmers have been able to grow a range of unconventional crops across Australia. Read on for our round-up of 5 unconventional crops you’ll find growing in Australia. 

Lavender

Interest in growing lavender in Australia has substantially increased in recent years. While this crop is farmed in all states, major interest has occurred in Victoria and southern New South Wales. Lavender plantings are often used for aromatherapy purposes, teas, baking, and open gardens or nurseries. These lavender farms often serve as a tourist attraction, where visitors may indulge in a lavender scone or lavender tea. 

Saffron

Traditionally, there are three main uses of Saffron: a cooking spice, a powerful medicinal tool or as a dye. Saffron, being an incredibly labour-intensive crop, is the most expensive crop across the globe. To extract one kilogram of Saffron, the stigmas of nearly a quarter of a million flowers need to be handpicked, then dried and bottled. Currently, Iran is the world’s biggest producer of Saffron. Sensing an opportunity to replace imported produce, Tas-Saff has managed to become Australia’s most successful saffron producer.

Jojoba

This plant is grown for its oil, which is used widely within the cosmetic industry. It is native to the inhospitable parts of North America, such as the Sonoran desert. However, this hardy shrub has been growing throughout south-west and central NSW. Also, due to the plant’s salt tolerance, it has been farmed in parts of WA that are impacted by salinity.

Quinoa

Quinoa has become well known for its superfood qualities, especially in recent years where consumers have become more health-conscious. This wellness trend has seen more, and more Australians choose to pay premiums for health foods, like the grain quinoa. Australia’s quinoa industry has continued to develop in recent years, with crops based in northern Tasmania and the WA Wheatbelt. This salt-tolerant crop does not tolerate waterlogging well, but it can thrive on limited moisture.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a well known medicinal herb. It has many Chinese medicinal uses. It is used to boost immunity, reduce stress and relax muscles, while also working as a nourishing stimulant. With the increasing levels of health consciousness in consumers, some Australian farmers are capitalising on growing Ginseng. While the industry is still in it’s early stages, Australia is well-positioned to capture a share of the world market, with cropping now conducted across various regions in the eastern and southern states. 

The varied climatic conditions across Australia allow farmers to grow a range of unconventional crops. When it comes to managing an agricultural lifestyle and business, Global Rotomoulding has extensive experience. Our huge range of products; from water storage tanks to fertiliser tanks, help you get the job done, even if you’re investing your time in more obscure crops. Be sure to have a chat with our friendly team for more information.