Keeping your saw ready to go at the drop of a hat (or tree branch) is a really good policy. In this video I go over the routine I use every two to three tanks of fuel to keep my saw tippy top! Maintaining equipment is fun when you know how and it make a whole lot of difference to … Read More

We go back to the vineyard today to prune the vines after their first season. I go over some basic terminology and then prune them to concentrate on developing strong root systems and trunks in the second year. I then run out foliage wires to manage the canopy as it grows. See my website for earlier episodes and a range … Read More

Is this the easiest end assembly install yet? The Woodshield end assembly system makes installing new rows in a school vineyard super easy. We meet the team behind Mount Lilydale Mercy College’s farm program and help to install great new trellis from Woodshield. I’m sure you will be inspired by the team behind the program at Mount Lilydale and the … Read More

John Pickard is a renowned academic and expert on the history of fences and fencing technology in Australia. I recently enjoyed a conversation with John about his career, how this lead to studying fences in the landscape and his growing fascination for fencing technology. Subscribe for a new video each week! New content uploaded every weekend. My Website https://timthompsonmedia.com.au/ My … Read More

One of the most important knots to know when fencing is the end or termination Knot. This week I demonstrate how to tie it, then test the breaking strength of the knot using the Spiralfast load testing bed. I also compare a badly tied end knot with a neatly tied end knot to find out if there is any difference … Read More

Is this the ultimate Truckies hitch? Another in my ropes series looking at the truckies hitch. This time demonstrating a knot shown to me by Phil Fehring and Alan Upton. This version allows you to tie the knot in the middle of a rope, without having to go around the load rail. The advantages are that you can put multiple … Read More

Steep gullies can pull posts out of the ground due to the upward tension of the wire. This week’s video looks at a simple solution to keep the lower posts in the ground and your fence secure. My Website https://timthompsonmedia.com.au/ Subscribe for a new video each week! New content uploaded every weekend. My Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtlC5DtsgZKCM8gislyDJw

This one could get contentious. We use a test bed, some 2.5mm wire, digital scales and a jack to push popular knots and joiners past their breaking strength. Some spectacular results ensue! What’s your bet for the winner? Subscribe for a new video each week! New content uploaded every weekend. Thanks to Spiralfast for the use of their test bed … Read More

This week we look at how to secure awkward round loads both to and from the farm and around the paddock using a great little tool called the load choker. I picked this up on ebay for a little more than 20 bucks. this tool allows you to avoid crushing or damaging your webbing strap as you secure the load … Read More

Fruit Fly posed a major biosecurity threat to the Yarra Valley when it was discovered several years ago. Thanks to the quick action of a local grower and a team of local experts, a program of trapping and IPM control was put into place and subsequently the threat was managed. This great news story about how a community of growers … Read More

This week we take the grapes though ferment, plunging and checking temp and Baume until dry. Then we add Malo, press the wine and seal the variable capacity tank. My website https://timthompsonmedia.com.au/ Subscribe for a new video each week! New content uploaded every weekend. My Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtlC5DtsgZKCM8gislyDJw

Loose fences invite trouble. In this video I review a fence stretcher made in Australia by James Higgins. This tool allows you to quickly, safely and easily maintain barbed wire fences and prevent bigger problems. I show you how the tool works demonstrate its use and give a few tips on staying safe working with barbed wire. My website https://timthompsonmedia.com.au/ … Read More

This week we are having a number of conversations with producers about how they are dealing with the current pandemic. From livestock producers dealing with the immediate impacts to fruit producers dealing with the uncertainty of the coming season, a few important messages are shared by all. We look at where some opportunities to stabilize businesses may exist and discuss … Read More

Have you ever been guilty of using steel posts as an end assembly? I certainly have. Well now it might just be possible of turning this dirty little secret into something you can be proud of. FenceStay is a brand new product developed by Trigger Engineering & Consulting in Victoria that hopes to turn steel posts into proper end assemblies. … Read More

Filmed in early March. Renowned premium Yarra Valley Winery Yering Station have embraced precision Agriculture as a way of further improving their wine. By mapping soils and site vigour down to the meter, they are planning their current replanting program to exactly take advantage of the soil and site to produce fine wines into the future. Subscribe for a new … Read More

This week I look at How to Test and Pick Grapes to Make Great Wine. For amateur and professional winegrowers alike, being able to decide when to pick is one of the most crucial skills in the growing of great wine. As they say, great wines are made in the vineyard, so the timing of picking determines the quality of … Read More

Ever struggled to secure spare rope when you have finished tying down a load? Or worse yet, had rope fall off your tray and drag along the road after you? This week I demonstrate a simple and easy way of securing spare rope to avoid accidents and fines. How to tie a truckies hitch video https://youtu.be/fvjoE-xAft Subscribe for a new … Read More

Filmed in Dec. 2019. This week we explore the high tech world of the soft fruit industry. We join Wandin Valley Farms in the Yarra Valley Victoria and look over their amazing computer controlled packing plant. Using cutting edge technology, they are accessing global markets and establishing a reputation for high quality. The investment is enormous, but so are the … Read More

Tie downs are a wonderful tool, but how often do we see them tied poorly or excess strap left to flap or tied off badly. Keep your load tidy and secure. This week I go through steps in safely tying down a load on the ute or truck bed with tie downs and securing the excess strap that so often … Read More

This week I solve problems caused by poor grommets causing blowouts in the vineyard. I evaluate four different types of grommets and figure out the best value option. I then throw them all away and go with a better solution. Then we install a RainBird WPX battery operated controller to automatically operate the irrigation system. Subscribe for a new video … Read More