Total Mushroom Service is owned by Jeroen van Lier and is a Dutch-based company with over 25 years of experience in the mushroom composting and production industry. The company offers independent and unbiased advice, training courses and more to support composting and mushroom production.

Transitioning from Phase I or Phase II compost to Phase III compost in mushroom growing operations offers significant advantages but also presents challenges. Companies often struggle with this conversion due to the different requirements and processes involved in producing and handling fully incubated (Phase III) compost.

Benefits of fully incubated compost:

1. Faster growing schedule: Using Phase III compost reduces the growing cycle from 8-9 weeks to 5-6 weeks, leading to a higher annual output of mushrooms.
2. Higher yield: Phase III compost typically yields about 10% more mushrooms per tonne compared to compost incubated in growing rooms.
3. Energy efficiency: It is more energy-efficient to control compost activity in a tunnel than in a growing room, as tunnels facilitate better air circulation in the compost.
4. Reduced infection risk: Incubating compost in a tunnel's closed environment minimises the risk of contamination.
5. Efficient filling process: Filling growing rooms with Phase III compost allows for simultaneous filling and casing, streamlining operations.
6. Improved supplement mixing: Supplements are integrated into the compost more effectively during the tunnel unloading process; this results in a higher quality mushroom and increases production (10%).

Adjusting the Phase I process for tunnel incubation:

To ensure successful tunnel incubation, the Phase I composting process must be adjusted to maintain the compost's structure, which is crucial for even airflow and mycelium growth.

1. Compost structure:

• Use straw of a good length and toughness to preserve compost structure.
• Use machinery that mixes compost without damaging the straw's structure.

2. Composting schedule:

• Perform most mixing early in the Phase I process when the straw is still tough.
• Avoid mixing during the last 4-5 days of Phase I to maintain compost structure and ensure even blending.

Filling weight in tunnels:

Tunnels are typically designed for a maximum filling weight of 1400 kg per square meter. Exceeding this limit can lead to uneven airflow, adversely affecting compost quality.
While some might try using larger fans to compensate, standard fans often yield the best long-term results.

Source article and photo: Jeroen van Lier from Total Mushroom Service

More than half of the mushroom in Ukraine is grown on Phase 3 of compost – that is the result of a reduction in volumes.

According to information received by UMDIS agency from compost producers of Ukraine, demand for Phase 3 compost has decreased slightly compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, production of Phase 2 compost has more than halved due to reduced demand.

As a result of these changes, already in the summer of 2022, the volume of champignon mushrooms produced on Phase 3 compost will exceed the volume of champignon mushrooms grown on Phase 2 compost.

We will remind, as a result of Russian aggression, at the end of February-March, the majority of compost factories in Ukraine stopped soaking new batches of compost, and resumed this process only at the end of March, gradually increasing volumes.

In May 2022, the volume of compost orders in Ukraine reached approximately 60% of the pre-war level typical for this period.

However, the period of low prices for champignons in June and the whole summer negatively affected the optimism of mushroom growers, so today the production of compost in the country is about 50% of the level of the same period last year.

At the same time, the Grikar-APS compost plant in the Kharkiv region and the Agrotandem-Plus compost plant (Mriya SE) are not working.

Thus, 100% of compost for sale in Ukraine is now supplied to the market by 4 compost production companies: Agaris Miko Ukraine (Ternopil region), Agaris Miko Center (Cherkasy region), VG Farming (Veres, Cherkasy region), World of Straw (Mykolaiv region).

Phase 3 compost is offered by both Agaris and World of Straw plants.

The Mush Comb head-end filling machine phase3 Premium, is used for simultaneously filling mushroom shelves with an even surface of compost and / or casing soil as easy and fast as possible.

The head-end filling machine phase3 works in combination with 1 pulling winch and 2 feeding conveyors.

Supply of the compost and/or casing soil can be done by a hopper, wagon, container or trailer.

The Phase3 Premium model is perfect suitable for growing rooms big and small.

More Information to be found here.