Richard Boucher James

Richard Boucher James (4 March 1822 – 4 September 1908) was a pioneering settler and pastoralist of South Australia, originally at Inman Valley from 1840 and between 1858 and 1908 at Canowie Station in the Mid North of that State.

[3] Upon the declaration in February 1836 of the newly-promoted province of South Australia, their father saw opportunities there for the young men as sheep farmers, not as squatters but as land holders.

Their pioneering tribulations in establishing a sheep and cattle grazing station and homestead are graphically recounted by William Rhodes James (1817-1898) in his journal.

Following the death of their father in April 1840, Rhodes James returned to England in June 1841, selling out his share in the land orders to his two younger brothers.

[9] Boucher James moved there with his family and promptly commenced major changes, particularly relating to the infrastructure and the bloodlines of its sheep and cattle.

In 1859 Boucher James commenced the Canowie sheep stud with 200 Saxon ewes infused with Negretti and Rambouillet rams.

Faced with an influx of grain farming neighbours the partners adopted a policy of gradually purchasing back their own leasehold land whenever it was offered at public auction.

Three of the four partners resided in England, from where they directed business affairs in South Australia, eventually forming the Canowie Pastoral Company in 1894.

In addition to Merino sheep, Boucher James was also influential in improving the bloodstock of working horses in South Australia.

[15][failed verification] The partners and their managers were aggressive in the pursuit of genetic strength in their sheep, taking many prizes and influencing the Australian wool industry.