We were saddened to hear of the passing of Bart Driessen, a well-known and respected figure in the international mushroom industry.

With decades of experience and a broad knowledge of composting, casing, growing and harvesting, Bart played an important role in advancing mushroom production worldwide. Through his company Mycosupport and earlier work at Sylvan, Sjaak Verdellen Consulting and Hoeijmakers Mushrooms, he supported many growers with his expertise and practical approach.

Bart will be remembered as a passionate professional who generously shared his knowledge. His impact on the sector will not be forgotten.

We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him.

Zest Project: transforming food waste into sustainable mycoprotein with AI

The Zest Project, a €7.5 million EU-funded initiative led by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), is pioneering a sustainable approach to protein production by converting food waste into mycoprotein using mushroom fermentation and artificial intelligence .

Key Highlights:

• Innovative Fermentation Process: Utilizing edible mushroom strains, the project ferments agricultural byproducts—such as sugar beet residues, spent brewer’s grain, and fruit peels—in specially designed bioreactors. This process yields mycoprotein, chitin, and other valuable bio-based materials suitable for food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and packaging applications.
• AI-Driven Optimization: Advanced machine learning models monitor and adjust fermentation parameters like temperature, pH, and oxygen levels in real-time. This ensures optimal growth conditions, enhances yield and quality, and minimizes waste and energy consumption.
• Sustainability and Efficiency: The method boasts a lower environmental footprint, requiring less water and emitting fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional protein production. Additionally, mycoprotein offers nutritional benefits, including high digestibility and essential vitamins like B12 and D.
• Circular Economy Contribution: By valorizing agricultural sidestreams, the project not only reduces waste but also lowers production costs, making sustainable protein more accessible to consumers.

For a deeper dive into how the Zest Project is reshaping sustainable protein production, please visite their website here.

A-Pit transfers activities to Mush Comb
Objective is to transition existing A-Pit customers to Mush Comb

Starting January 1, 2025, Mush Comb will, for a period of two years, share responsibility with A-Pit for service and support to A-Pit’s customer base. During this period, Dré Lenders, owner of A-Pit, will remain fully involved. As of January 1, 2027, Lenders will fully step down from his duties.

Over these two years, there will be a gradual transfer of customers. Together, both companies will ensure a smooth transition of relationships, activities, and knowledge. “The main reason for this collaboration is to guarantee continued service to my customers at all times,” says Lenders. Existing orders will remain under A-Pit’s management.

Company information
Mush Comb is an innovative company with a mission to support our mushroom, exotic crop, and compost customers by providing related products, knowledge, and services such as machinery, climate control, supplies, and engineering. Customers should choose us for our deep knowledge of the market and because we don’t treat you like a number – but as our number one!

For questions or more information, please contact:
Bob Holtermans,
Directeur Mush Comb

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 077 398 3929
www.mushcomb.com

LaFrance virus disease

Of all the diseases confronting mushroom growers, none have been the subject of more confusion than viral diseases. Viral diseases can be confused with the effect of poor cultural practices or the bacterial disease mummy. Since no known commercial mushroom strain is resistant to viruses, growers must incorporate preventive measures into the IPM plan and rigorously carry out control measures.

The virus lives in mushroom spores and mycelium (spawn). Infected spores spread the disease to other new crops. Infected mycelium (spawn) may survive in the bed boards or quickly spread in bulk phase III facilities. Spores survive many years and can be released during farm renovations.

Symptoms (Figure 1-4):

• Portabellas don’t size up; lower yield, Fig 1.
• Bare areas with few pins and mushrooms, Fig 2.
• Premature opening of the veil (small caps)
• Mild yield loss

Severe infection:

• “Drumstick” (small caps, long stems) Fig 3.
• Weak growth in the casing that often disappears over time
• Die-back of mycelium in the compost, Fig 4.
• Stems discolor quickly when cut
• Significant yield loss

Control:

• Exclude, eradicate, or reduce inoculum.
• Mushroom spores at spawning
• Mushrooms should be harvested before they mature and the caps open, releasing spores.
• Infected mycelium at spawning or casing
• Isolate the crop.
• Regularly scheduled replacement of filters/filtration
• Air movement—high positive pressure in spawning and casing areas
• Practice postharvest steaming to eliminate pathogens and mushroom mycelium/spores between crops.
• Virus-infected mycelium in the wooden tray/bed boards
• Virus-infected mushrooms and spores left on the bed

figure 1

figure 2

figure 3

figure 4

Bacterial diseases

1)  Bacterial Blotch

Signs and Symptoms:

• Superficial discoloration which leads to lower quality in the marketplace
• First pale yellow, then darkens to golden yellow to brown color.
• Bacterial pathogen: Pseudomonas tolaasii, recently other species have been found to cause similar symptoms

2)  Mummy Disease

Signs and Symptoms:

• Stunted growth, swollen base
• Sometimes mushrooms develop curved stipe with translucent, longitudinal streaks on the side
• Tissue appearance: spongy, dry and leathery
• First break can be harvested; second break mushroom does not grow in the affected area
• Scientific name: Pseudomonas species

By David M. Beyer, Penn State University

Sustainable agriculture holds a key role in attaining a balanced approach to increase productivity, especially for growing industries like mushroom production.

Producers like China, the USA, and the UK lead the race for global mushroom production, while India lags with 0.18 million tonnes of output. However, ensuring the sustainability of the mushroom industry is needed for environmental conservation, long-term economic viability, and the overall well-being of communities dependent on this agricultural sector. This review focuses on the recent trends in waste and carbon footprint generation from the mushroom industry, emphasizing spent mushroom substrate and utilities like electricity.

Moreover, this review extensively covers recent advancements in research concerning incorporating innovative technologies such as AI and precision agricultural technologies like Internet-of-Things (IoT) and big data and contemporary approaches, such as solar energy in mushroom farming. The challenges the mushroom industry faces, and policies to tackle them and promote sustainable agriculture are also thoroughly explored. The review concludes that the carbon footprint generation and waste release from mushroom production can be mitigated using AI, IoT, big data, machine learning, integrated sensors, etc., by increasing production efficiency and optimizing processes.

Conventions such as circular economy, conventional energy substitution, carbon credit, and carbon capturing can also alleviate carbon emissions and carbon footprint. Therefore, this will allow the mushroom industry to align with Sustainable Development Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action). Moreover, there is an urgent need to refine the schemes and provisions to make mushroom cultivation a sustainable agricultural sector.

Read the full article here on Science Direct.

Fungi have revolutionised medicine, yielding some of the most crucial pharmaceuticals in history. From the accidental discovery of penicillin in 1928 to the blockbuster statins that transformed cholesterol management, fungal-derived compounds have shaped modern healthcare. But as researchers exhaust conventional screening methods, new genomic tools and bioinformatics are opening up fresh opportunities for drug discovery.

A fascinating review from London Kew Gardens's research team published in Biomolecules (Prescott et al., 2023) delves into the past, present, and future of fungal drug discovery, highlighting approved drugs, clinical trials, and innovative approaches that could unlock the next generation of therapeutics.

A History of Game-Changing Fungal Drugs

Cuga has a solid presence in the national market and is a leader in the agri-food sector and stands out in sales in its product category.

We are looking for a qualified professional to fill the position of Junior Grower.

If you are interested in taking on an exciting challenge to start your career, we invite you to consider this opportunity.

Job Description: Integrated into the company's Operations Department, you will have the opportunity to receive training and participate in the processes inherent to the management of mushroom production and harvesting.

Requirements:

• Higher education in Agricultural Engineering or similar.
• Willingness to work in a dynamic environment.
• Results-oriented and focused on excellence.
• Ability to communicate, plan, organize and lead.
• Ability to anticipate problems.
• Ability to learn and work.
• Proficiency in MS Office and English.
• Availability for flexible hours.
• Availability to live near Benlhevai (Vila Flor).

What We Offer:

• Integration into a consolidated company, recognized for its impact on the national market, being the undisputed leader in its category.
• Competitive remuneration, aligned with the role and individual performance and relocation package.
• Performance related bonus package in relation to harvest yields;

If you meet the above requirements, we invite you to send your CV and cover letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with reference RS4.2025. We are excited about the prospect of receiving applications from determined and dynamic professionals.

Come join us and our Cuga Academy for an opportunity of a Lifetime!

GTL Europe B.V. would like to inform you about an exciting development at their company.

"We are pleased to announce that Hoving Group and GTL Europe B.V. have entered into a strategic partnership. This collaboration will enable us to further improve and expand our services and products and enhance our service provision to our customers".

What does this mean for you?
• Efficient execution of complex projects: The mushroom industry is experiencing strong global consolidation, resulting in increasingly large and complex projects. Joining forces will enable us to continue to execute these projects efficiently and professionally.
• High quality and efficiency: Both companies manufacture some of the same machines at an equivalently high and professional quality level. By combining our expertise, we can implement new developments more quickly and efficiently.
• Optimised focus: Thanks to this collaboration, Hoving will increase its focus on phase 1-2-3 machines, while GTL will concentrate on harvest optimisation in response to market demands.
• Innovative solutions: There is a high demand from the market for solutions to optimise and automate harvesting, and AI technology will also be implemented in our sector.
• Stronger service: Through our partnership, we can provide enhanced 24-hour service.

We are confident that this collaboration will have a positive impact on your experience with our company. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your continued trust and we look forward to serving you even better.

Best regards,

Johan Hoving
CEO
Hoving Group


Jack Lemmen
CEO
GTL Europe B.V.