Geoff Price and the American mushroom industry - part one
Geoff Price Giorgi Mushroom Company.
Geoff Price may be the son of our own mushroom-growing legend Graham Price, but he has definitely forged his own way in the industry. A mushroom grower since he was eight years old, perhaps it is not surprising he’s now not only technical director of Giorgi Mushroom Company in Pennsylvania, but also chair of the American Mushroom Institute. Interview by Dr Jenny Ekman
In part one Jenny and Geoff talk about growing up in the Hawkesbury, the differences and similarities between the Australian and American mushroom industries and the unique mushroom economy in the United States.
This podcast is part of the Hort Innovation funded project MU21003: Mushroom industry communications programme. It was funded through the Mushroom levy fund and contributions from the Australian Government.
Additional resource
Eoin O'Connor and cutting edge mushroom disease research
In this podcast recorded at the 2024 ISMS congress, Dr Jenny Ekman chats to Eoin O'Connor, post-doctoral scholar at Penn State University, about his studies in Ireland, where he was inspired and mentored by Dr. David Fitzpatrick and Dr Helen Grogan, the latter of whom opened his world to mushroom science, and particularly virus X, and his current research in the Hockett lab.
Dr Mark Loftus (Sylvan Spawn Company)
In this podcast Dr Jenny Ekman chats to Dr Mark Loftus from Sylvan Spawn company.
Mark’s career commenced in Manchester, UK, where he obtained a PhD and then completed a two-year post doc in human genetics.
So how did Mark go from human to mushroom geneticist? What is mushroom genetics anyway, and how can understanding mushroom genetics help strengthen the industry?
In this fascinating discussion, Mark explains the very hard work behind identifying mushroom markers, isolating genetically distinct strains (no kissing cousins here!) and the characteristics they are looking for in white and brown mushrooms.
Introducing the MUSHRoom with Dr Emma Beckett
In this episode, MushroomLink’s Dr Jenny Ekman chats with Dr Emma Beckett about the Hort Innovation project MU22006, Online resource for mushroom health & nutrition science for healthcare professionals.
Emma and the team at FoodIQ Global (Formerly Nutrition Research Australia – NRAUS) are creating the ‘go to place’ for credible and authoritative information on the health benefits of mushrooms. By showcasing the unique health benefits of mushrooms to health professionals, the project hopes to increase the number of practitioners ‘prescribing’ Agaricus mushrooms as a source of nutrition.
Emma discusses the value of a reliable resource created for health professionals by health professionals that goes beyond marketing grabs.
The website or ‘MUSHRoom’ will be a living resource that will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. By consolidating all credible information in once place, knowledge gaps will become clear and can be prioritised for further research.
To find out more visit the Hort Innovation project page here: https://www.horticulture.com.au/growers/help-your-business-grow/research-reports-publications-fact-sheets-and-more/mu22006/
Visit the FoodIQ Global website here: https://www.foodiq.global/
Global perspectives from Erik de Groot
Image courtesy of the AMGA 2023
Erik de Groot - Consultant Mushroom Business
Following his recent trip to Australia, where he delivered training workshops to local growers, Erik de Groot took some time to chat with MushroomLink’s Dr Jenny Ekman.
From a childhood spent in a small village of only 4000 people (but with 15 mushroom farms!) – to becoming a sought-after global mushroom consultant working everywhere from Dubai to China, Europe, Australia, South America and the US – Erik has unique insights into how the industry differs from place to place.
In this podcast, Erik chats about the various approaches to mushroom production around the world, current trends and challenges, and where he thinks Australia sits regarding sustainability and quality (spoiler alert – Australian mushrooms are very good!).
Erik's trip to Australia and subsequent workshops were part of the Hort Innovation project MU22010 – Mushroom International Study Tours – Inbound and Outbound, funded through the mushroom levy and contributions from the Australian Government.
Geoff Price and the American mushroom industry - part two
Geoff Price Giorgi Mushroom Company.
Haven’t listened to part one yet? Listen to it here.
Geoff Price may be the son of our own mushroom-growing legend Graham Price, but he has definitely forged his own way in the industry. A mushroom grower since he was eight years old, perhaps it is not surprising he’s now not only technical director of Giorgi Mushroom Company in Pennsylvania, but also chair of the American Mushroom Institute. Interview by Dr Jenny Ekman
In part two, Jenny and Geoff pests and diseases, food safety and American mushroom marketing.
Going Dutch: New mushroom technology from the Netherlands
Tom Peeters GTL Europe
Recently Dr Jenny Ekman visited the Netherlands where she spoke with GTL Europe's Tom Peeters.
Tom and Jenny talk about a new mushroom farm in the Netherlands and how new technology has been implemented. They discuss tilting shelves and transferable shelves and future-proofing packing to be consistent with new robotics.
This podcast is part of the Hort Innovation funded project MU21003: Mushroom industry communications programme. It was funded through the Mushroom levy fund and contributions from the Australian Government.
A tilting shelf system
Tom Peeters (Left) and Denis (Right)
Podcast: The Mycionics robotic harvesting system
Canadian company Mycionics Inc has combined AI with robotics in a challenging horticultural setting which could revolutionise the future of mushroom farming.
Looking for a solution to Canada’s workforce shortage, grower Murray Good took his frustrations to the University of Western Ontario in 2012. Two research theses and a decade of hard work later, Mycioncs Inc has emerged as a fresh mushroom picking and packing system that combines mechanical engineering, robotics, and mushroom picking know-how with artificial intelligence.
In this podcast, MushroomLink spoke to the team behind this globally patented system that picks, packs, and weighs mushrooms to meet fresh market quality and size requirements.
This podcast is part of the Hort Innovation funded project MU21003: Mushroom industry communications programme. It was funded through the Mushroom levy fund and contributions from the Australian Government.
The music for this podcast is "Mushroom Boy" by Qurtis, it is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse
Additional resources
2022 AMGA Conference
The AMGA conference was a resounding success. The industry was able to gather for the first time in years to listen to a range of fantastic over the two days. MushroomLink has developed a podcast series and recordings of the R&D session to give those who were unable to come, and those who could use a refresher, a chance to hear great information from both international and local speakers. This Page will have a range of video presentations and podcasts from speakers at the conference.
Podcasts
Please note: The MushroomLink Podcast is hosted on most podcast hosting sites. Click here to find out where it is hosted or search “Mushroom Link” on your podcasting app of choice.
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Jack Lemmen - Efficient harvesting systems part two
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Folkert Moll - The future of Mushroom sustainability
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Ralph Noble - Peat alternatives
Presentations
What's new in mushroom compost biology? - Dr Michael Kertesz
In this webinar, Dr Michael Kertesz (the University of Sydney) updated industry on the latest research into mushroom compost biology. Nitrogen, microbial communities and climate change are all on the agenda.
Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Centre and PCR Disease Testing - Dr Gordon Rogers (Applied Horticultural Research)
In this presentation Dr Gordon Rogers (Applied Horticultural Research) provided an update on the Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Centre (MLMRC) and the PCR disease testing service, a service program that was developed from trials run at the centre.
Dr Rogers' presentation includes past achievements, new trials, potential future trials and how results will be communicated to the industry. He also covers the potential for a new site should the existing site become unavailable.
They also showcase the PCR mushroom disease identification service that is provided by AHR. This service has been a key outcome of the MLMRC. It was developed through the MU12007project (Development of a pilot mushroom farm disease monitoring scheme) and was run by the University of Sydney in collaboration with Applied Horticultural Research, AusDiagnostics, Dr Warwick Gill and Judy Allan.
Australian mushroom industry pest and disease update - Dr Warwick Gill (University of Tasmania)
In this presentation Dr Warwick Gill (University of Tasmania) provides an update on the pest and disease situation for the Australian mushroom industry. This includes new and emerging pests and diseases, the pest and disease watchlist, and how the industry should respond to diseases on their farms. Dr Gill also highlights the upcoming MU21007: Pest and disease management for the Australian mushroom industry project, giving an outline on how the project will function.
Food safety, quality and risk management and MushroomLink - Dr Jenny Ekman (Applied Horticultural Research)
Dr Jenny Ekman (Applied Horticultural Research) gives an update on the MU20000: Mushroom food safety extension and adoption project. Highlighting the need for strong food safety practices for the industry.
Dr Ekman also provided an update on the MU21003: Mushroom industry communications programme (MushroomLink) project. She covered what it is, who it targets, why its needed and how it is delivered.
AMGA farm tour at Pure Compost
AMGA farm tour at SA Mushrooms
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Flavia Fayet-Moore and Damien Belobrajdic - Nutrition from mushrooms
CSIRO researcher Dr Damien Belobrajdic and nutritionist Dr Falvia Fayet-Moore (NRAUS) are each advancing the case of mushrooms as a super food through research and advocacy.
We know mushrooms are healthy, but to inspire and promote their wider use in the food industry, evidence is required. Australian research is providing this evidence by showing that the mechanisms by which mushrooms help lower cholesterol is akin to that of oats.
But how can this help boost the Australian mushroom industry?
In this podcast, Damien discusses how his work with CSIRO (one of the first well-designed studies into mushroom’s cholesterol lowering properties world-wide) is the first step in achieving an FSANZ heath claim, and Flavia makes the case that mushrooms exemplify the ‘food as medicine’ concept.
Want to see more from the AMGA conference? click here to view presentations and listen to other podcasts.
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Ralph Noble - Peat alternatives
Dr Ralph Noble
Rockwool, clay minerals, coal tailings, coconut coir, green wastes. There is a long list of potential peat alternatives, but how realistic are they in replacing peat in a commercial mushroom farm and what are the challenges?
If anyone can help us navigate this new era of sustainable casings it is Dr Ralph Noble.
Dr Noble has been researching peat alternatives in the UK for a number of years and has a clear idea about what works and what doesn’t.
He is also confident that, by 2030, there will be mushrooms grown in Australia without the use of peat.
Fresh from the AMGA conference in Adelaide, Dr Noble has a candid chat to MushroomLink’s Dr Jenny Ekman at the Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Unit about the peat-free future of casing, emphasising that it is not a question of if, but when.
Want to see more from the AMGA conference? click here to view presentations and listen to other podcasts.
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Folkert Moll - The future of Mushroom sustainability
Folkert Moll, Kekkilä-BVB
As the pressure to move away from peat mining grows, coupled with other global supply chain pressures, alternative sources of casing substrates is the key issue for the sustainable future of the mushroom industry.
Despite these pressing challenges, Folkert Moll from Kekkilä-BVB in the Netherlands believes that the future is bright. With heavy research investment into peat alternatives, and commitment to the rehabilitation of peat ecosystems, the horticultural industry can be completely peat-free by 2050.
In this short interview at the recent AMGA conference in Adelaide, Folkert outlined his company’s efforts in sustainability, and hinted at some very exciting European research in alternative casings as part of the Bioschamp project.
Want to see more from the AMGA conference? click here to view presentations and listen to other podcasts.
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Jack Lemmen - Efficient harvesting systems part two
While many aspects of mushroom production have been mechanised, with computer-controlled compost production, bulk phase 3 compost, automatic casers and fillers, and many other technical aids, harvesting and packaging is still mostly a manual process.
With many growers in Australia struggling with labour costs and shortages, any technical help to optimise harvesting and packaging is met with great interest.
At the recent AMGA conference, Jack Lemmen from GTL outlined the latest developments using technology to improve the efficiency of human pickers.
In this podcast, Jack talks to MushroomLink’s Dr Jenny Ekman about the technologies available to growers now as well as the future potential of robotic harvesting and packing systems.
This podcast is part of the Hort Innovation funded project MU21003: Mushroom industry communications programme. It was funded through the Mushroom levy fund and contributions from the Australian Government.
Want to see more from the AMGA conference? click here to view presentations and listen to other podcasts.
MushroomLink at the AMGA conference 2022: Roland van Doremaele - Efficient harvesting systems part one
Robotic harvesting in mushrooms has been in development for decades, with earlier harvesters having limited success.
The drawer system from the Christiaens Group in The Netherlands is a fully integrated approach to growing, harvesting, and packing mushrooms.
In this system, the shelves move between growing and harvesting rooms, which has positive implications for pest and disease management, as well as improving harvest efficiency and making the working environment more attractive to pickers.
It would also allow ready incorporation of a robotic harvester, should this technology become viable in the future.
Chatting to MushroomLink’s Dr Jenny Ekman at the AMGA conference, Roland highlights all the benefits of the drawer system and the technologies available to growers now.
This podcast is part of the Hort Innovation funded project MU21003: Mushroom industry communications programme. It was funded through the Mushroom levy fund and contributions from the Australian Government.
Want to see more from the AMGA conference? click here to view presentations and listen to other podcasts.
MU20006 - Podcast episode 3
Keeping control of a potentially industry-damaging story in a complex media landscape can be challenging, but not impossible, if everyone works together to prevent an issue becoming a crisis.
Analysing the ‘needle in strawberries’ crisis concludes the series, with special guest Rachel Mackenzie (now executive director of Berries Australia, formerly of Growcom) sharing her valuable insights into what the mushroom industry can learn from this experience.
Podcast funded through the levy project MU20006, Mushroom industry crisis and reputation risk management.
MU20006 - Podcast episode 2
Keeping control of a potentially industry-damaging story in a complex media landscape can be challenging, but not impossible, if everyone works together to prevent an issue becoming a crisis.
In episode 2 of the series, Patrick and Clare cite examples of types of issues specific to the mushroom industry, including product relates risks (that can impact food safety) and people related risks (e.g., seasonal work force related issues, industry ‘cowboys’ or disgruntled employees).
Podcast funded through the levy project MU20006, Mushroom industry crisis and reputation risk management.
MU20006 - Mushroom industry crisis and reputation risk management podcast
Patrick McClelland of Porter Novelli Australia and fresh produce industry expert Clare Hamilton-Bate
In a complicated and diverse media landscape, where everyone, everywhere can share information, how can you keep control of the story, particularly one that may be damaging to your brand and reputation?
In a new three-part podcast series Keep calm and carry on, reputation and communication expert Patrick McClelland of Porter Novelli Australia and fresh produce industry expert Clare Hamilton-Bate discuss the key issues in protecting the reputation of the Australian mushroom industry and brand.
This podcast is part of the Hort Innovation funded project MU20006: Mushroom industry crisis and reputation risk management. It was funded through the Mushroom levy fund and contributions from the Australian Government.
Now available in your podcast app of choice (including spotify, apple podcasts and more!). Click here to find out where it is hosted or search “Mushroom Link” on your podcasting app of choice.