Webinar recording: MU21006 - Recycling spent mushroom substrate (SMS) for fertiliser in a circular economy
Join the MushroomLink team as we hear about the investigation into spent mushroom substrate and how it could be returned back to grain growers as a value-added fertiliser product.
Speakers include:
Dr Kevin Wilkinson, composting specialist, Frontier Ag & Environment (project leader)
Dr Cassandra Schefe, soil scientist, AgriSci Pty Ltd
Mr David Hawkey, agronomist, AgriSci Pty Ltd
Topics covered in the webinar include:
What a circular economy for SMS might look like
Various forms of value-adding including dewatering, palletisation, nutrient enrichment and emerging waste processing technologies
Some of the technical challenges associated with these processes
Economic and logistical challenges
SMS physicochemical characterisation
Supply chain mapping of wheat production (i.e., straw supplies) in relation to mushroom production
The webinar concluded with an open discussion on the next steps - particularly with respect to SMS-fertiliser product development and possible agronomic field trials, with input from participants.
Additional resources
Contact and MU21006 feedback requested
Please provide your feedback to Kevin, David and Cassandra on where you think future work on SMS recycling should be directed:
a) pelletisation of SMS and demonstration to grain growers
b) economic modelling of SMS biofertiliser products using case studies
c) field trials in grain production and/or vegetable production
d) deep-dive into the economics of value-adding to SMS (cost:benefit)
e) market research into biofertilisers
f) product development research
Kevin Wilkinson: kevin@frontieragenvironment.com.au
David Hawkey: david@agrisci.com.au
Cassandra Schefe: cassandra@agrisci.com.au
MU21006 - Recycling spent mushroom substrate (SMS) for fertiliser in a circular economy
Key research provider: Frontier Ag & Environment
What's it all about?
This investment is developing models for a spent mushroom substrate (SMS) circular economy by improving the value-proposition of SMS for the end-user (primarily grain growers). The circular economy models for SMS recycling will be presented as practical case studies to equip Australian mushroom growers with an improved understanding of the options available for recycling SMS.
Previous research has found that SMS may be undervalued and highlighted the reliance of the Australian mushroom industry on wheaten straw as one of the main inputs in the production of mushroom growing substrate.
The effects of drought, climate change, changed farming practices, and increased competition from the feedstock industry have reduced the availability of wheaten straw to mushroom growers and have driven up prices.
The application of circular economy principles has the potential to strengthen linkages between the mushroom industry and grain growers. Opportunities also exist to enhance the value of SMS as a revenue stream for the mushroom industry and as an input to the sustainable production of grains. Enhanced value for the mushroom industry is likely to be found in higher returns achieved for a value-added SMS product in the marketplace.
The research team will:
Review past research on SMS to establish its value proposition as a value-added product
Map SMS supplies with potential end-users of SMS
Conduct intensive consultation and demonstration trials with mushroom growers and agriculture users who are end-users of SMS.