100 years of research, trials and transformation at Avondale 

The 2024 Beverley Agricultural Show is celebrating 100 years of the Avondale Research Station. Through these 100 years Avondale has conducted research, has seen many a trial and transformed over the years to grow into what it is today. 

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Avondale sits where the Dale River joins the Avon River Northwest of Beverley. On 4th April 1924, the Department of Agriculture and Food was given 1,740 acres of Avondale for research purposes but the research did 

 not start until 1926. 

 

In the Beverley-York region A Braxy-like disease originated in 1915, over 15 years farmers reported a 30% loss in sheep. It was during the 1930s that Avondale was used by Dr Harold Bennetts when he successful research into Bacillus ovitoxicus and was found as the cause of the disease. With this knowledge he was able to develop the infectious enterotoxaemia vaccine; for his efforts, Bennetts received a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Through this research Bennetts and colleague Gardner confirmed 24 species of plants as being poisonous, most were from the native pea genera Gastrolobium and Oxylobium. this research led the the publication of The Toxic Plants of Western Australia in 1956

In 1935, Avondale Research station investigated 499 sheep and the effects of castrating male lambs with either mechanical pincers compared to using a knife, both methods being replaced with rubber rings. it was concluded that no significant differences were observable concerning mortality, maturity rates and meat quality. 

 

Dr Eric Underwood began his research at Avondale in the mid-1930s. Underwood's included the results of sulphur on wool growth, he followed that research with investigations into botulism in sheep during 1935. 

 Moving to the 1940s Underwood studied the nutritional value of hay and pasture for sheep, these studies were published in the Journal of Agriculture.

Through the 1950s Avondale had monitored its sheep flocks as part of the research into the Dwalganup strain of clover as a livestock feed and its effect on ewe fertility. Through the 1960s and 1970s Avondale was involved with the breeding and trial of various cereal crops for use within Western Australia. 

The machinery museum was built in 1979 and other buildings where restored to their orignal condition.

Since the early 1980s, Avondale has focused on environmental and sustainable farming along with farm income supplemental alternatives like marron farming. Machinery was restored by the Department of Agriculture mechanics. In 1978 an invitation to visit and open Avondale's agricultural displays was sent to Prince Charles, this was accepted and on 16 March 1979, Avondale was officially opened with commemorative tree planting near the entrance to the farm. Today, Avondale is managed by the National Trust of Western Australia and is open to the public at varying times throughout the year