AUSTRALIAN-MUSHROOMS-JOURNAL-2021-EDITION-1

EDITION 1 - 2021

CONTENTS

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chairman’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Relationship & General Manager’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Add The Mighty Mushie Campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Harvest to Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Project Continues Education Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Food Safety A Key Industry Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mycetocola (Soft Rot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Vale: John Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Readjusting AGORA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Modern Mushroom Developments: Composting . . . . . . . . . . 34
ISMS E-Congress Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Meet The AMGA Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Hort Innovation Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Information Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Industry Videos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Australian Front Cover: Aussie Mushroom Burger - https://australianmushrooms.com.
au/recipe/aussie-mushroom-burger/
JOURNAL EDITION 1 - 2021
Inside Cover: Mushroom & Prawn Salad - https://australianmushrooms.com.
au/recipe/barbecued-mushroom-asparagus-prawn-salad/

The Australian Mushrooms Journal is produced as part of the Mushroom Industry
Communication program (MU18001). This project has been funded by Hort
Innovation, using the mushroom research and development levy and contributions
from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower owned, not-for-profit
research and development corporation for Australian horticulture | Editorial: Chris
Rowley, Editor - 04 1514 0253 | Judy Allan, Editorial Consultant - (02) 6767 1057 |
Publication Dates: March / June / September / December | Copy Deadline: Six weeks prior to
the cover date | Subscriptions: The Journal is available to levy payers and others involved in
the Australian Industry. The Journal is distributed in electronic and print formats. Requests
to be included on the distribution list should be directed to the Editor | Letters to the Editor:
Letters to the Editor from readers on subjects of interest to the mushroom industry are
welcomed and encouraged. All contributions should be emailed to the Editor (chris.rowley@
optusnet.com.au) | Editorial Policy: The opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers
are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Hort Innovation. No responsibility
will be accepted for any statements made or views expressed in this journal, or for any
advertisements included. Hort Innovation reserves the right to edit, rewrite, withhold or
reject any or all material whether it be editorial, advertising copy or advertorial. If editorial
changes are made, the Editor will contact the author before publication for approval.
Manuscripts, correspondence, change of address requests should be sent to the Editor for
consideration. All material is copyright to Hort Innovation. Articles in their entirety many
not be reproduced in any other publications without written permission of Hort Innovation.

AMGA Contact | Phone: (02) 4577 6877 / Mail: P.O. Box 576 Crows Nest NSW 1585

EDITORIAL

Last year was a year to remember, marketing team are moving Chris Rowley, Editor, Australian
and this year is moving so quickly, ahead with the “Add the Mushrooms Journal
it is hard to remember everything Mighty Mushie” campaign, so
that is going on. Luckily the Journal please take the time to read activate the link, roll your cursor over
comes around every three months to the report and understand the page and click the highlighted
document some of those important the wide range of activities text.
happenings for the industry. that are in place to deliver
the mushroom message. In If you have any feedback on the
A good starting point for this Journal addition, there is a detailed articles or would like to make some
is the reports from the AMGA on a statistical review of the past 12 suggestions for future editions, please
wide range of activities undertaken months, courtesy of the Harvest to let me know.
on behalf of the industry. Home project.
Enjoy the read, and happy
While the levy ballot has been In terms of levy-funded projects, the mushrooming everyone.
finalised, the Association is continuing project team for MU16003 - Pest and
to liaise with Hort Innovation to disease management and research Chris Rowley
maximise the impact of every dollar services have included two articles,
spent. One of the critical tasks being the first covering Soft Rot and the Editor
undertaken is developing the next second some changes to the AGORA M: 0415 140 253
Mushroom Strategic Investment Plan pest and disease website. E: [email protected]
covering the next five years. It is
essential to participate and have your We also follow on from the article
say. on active casing soils, with a
detailed report from Geoff Martin on
Over the next few months, the composting.
Association will be releasing some
essential new communications to There is also an update on the three-
members, including the AMGA Best year levy-funded project – Educating
Practice Guide for mushroom and health professionals about Australian
compost growers and the new and mushrooms, and an introductory
improved website. More information article on the food safety project that
on these initiatives can be found in has just commenced.
the General Manager’s column.
As usual, there is plenty to read and
As always, one of the key think about. Please remember that if
industry issues is how to increase you are reading the on-line version of
the consumption of Australian the Journal, there are links embedded
mushrooms. The Hort Innovation to provide additional information. To

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the mushroom research
and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Editorial Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 1

CAMHGAAIRMAN’S

REPORT

INDUSTRY BALLOT improvement in annual Geoff Martin, Chairman, Australian
per capita mushroom Mushroom Growers’ Association
The recent industry ballot saw an consumption, which is
overwhelming majority of levy payers vital for the continuing some hopefully involving international
voting to maintain the R&D and the profitability of both collaboration with mushroom
marketing elements of the statutory large and small growers. experts from Penn State, Ireland,
levy, and I would like to thank all I await Hort Innovation’s United Kingdom and China. Look
those who exercised their right response with interest, out for the dates, watch and learn;
to vote on this important matter. and I will be communicating these webinars will be an excellent
Notwithstanding the outcome of the the outcome to you in due opportunity to keep abreast of cutting
vote, I know from my discussions course. edge topics of interest to everyone in
with levy payers the overwhelming the industry.
consensus is that levy funds are not PODCASTS
providing the same level of benefit to STRATEGIC INVESTMENT
the mushroom industry as in the past. Thanks to the pandemic we have all PLAN
This is of major concern, particularly had to adapt to a world of instant
in relation to the marketing thrust. lockdowns. The inability to travel Hort Innovation, in collaboration
has led to a weird existence with with industry, is about to embark on
The AMGA has been active in minimal face to face meetings being the development of the Mushroom
this regard and, in late 2020, held anymore, so Zoom and other Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). This
commissioned an independent communication platforms have plan will guide the investment of levy
marketing consultancy group, McKinna quickly filled the void. One of the funds in marketing and promotion,
et al., to review the effectiveness more enjoyable aspects has been as well as research and development,
of the current marketing campaign the increased use of podcasts and for the next five year period. Over
and give recommendations for webinars covering a wide range of the next month or so, staff from Hort
improvement. This Journal is not an topics, and in a true pioneering spirit, Innovation will contact levy payers
appropriate forum to discuss in any our researchers have embraced this and other participants to ascertain
detail the findings of the report. All medium to promulgate their findings. which aspects of the mushroom
levy payers were e-mailed a copy of industry they think are worthy of
the report in December 2020, followed Dr Jennifer Ekman of Applied consideration for investment. This is
recently by a posted hard copy, and Horticultural Research (AHR) and her a golden opportunity for levy payers
I am sure you will agree the report colleagues have been at the forefront, to have their say on marketing in
makes interesting reading. and as I write this column, I am particular, as well as put forward
looking forward to their first webinar
I was invited to present the findings for 2021, “Climate Change and the
of the McKinna marketing review to Australian Mushroom Industry”.
the full Hort Innovation Board at their
January 2021 meeting. I conveyed the Judy Allan and Dr Warwick Gill, who
real concerns of levy payers regarding run the Pest and Disease Management
the management of their funds and project are not able to travel and
the very real need for our industry to visit farms, and are in the throes of
have much more involvement in the producing what I am sure will be some
formulation of marketing strategy very useful webinars on mushroom
generally and control of ‘below the diseases. Additionally, Dr Michael
line’ activities’. Kertesz from Sydney University and
Dr Gordon Rogers from AHR are
In particular, I emphasised the planning a very ambitious series of
urgent requirement to see an overall webinars involving a range of topics,

2 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Chairman’s Report

research areas for consideration they the casing, on top of a full pristine
deem to be important. Please engage fresh box invariably results in a
fully in this important exercise and surly response, and that subsequent
make your voice heard. complaints to the fruit and veg
manager hardly rate much better.
RETAIL So as an industry, is there a need to
take more responsibility for how our
I must say I loath shopping, but product looks at the retail level? Is
whenever I am down at the local education the answer? Do we need
mall, I dart into Coles, Woolworths or to start at the top by demonstrating
the IGA and look at the mushrooms that improving the cold chain with
on offer to shoppers. Invariably better in-store mushroom handling
the product presented is dull, grey procedures and smart ordering
looking, disappointing, unappetising, practices will increase sales, truly a
sometimes even slimy; once in a while ‘win-win’ all around? I’ll leave the
it looks good. thought there.

I guess as growers, we are used to CELEBRATING 60 YEARS
seeing premium quality on the beds at
our operations and look at mushrooms I was reminded that 8 February 2021
at the point of sale from a different marked the 60th Anniversary of the
perspective to the average consumer. AMGA’s formation. It only seems
However, the old adage, “If it’s bright a short time ago that the whole
and white, it’ll walk out of sight” of the industry was present at the
comes to mind. Hawkesbury Museum in Windsor
to celebrate the AMGA’s 50th
I know that along with sweetcorn Anniversary and take in the fantastic
and okra, mushrooms are in the top exhibit detailing the history of the
three most perishable products, Australian mushroom industry in that
but I wonder as an industry if we area.
miss an opportunity to improve per
capita consumption by paying more Several of the founding members
attention to improving how our were present at that event. Sadly, the
produce looks at the point of sale. ravages of time have reduced their
number over the past decade, but I
Consolidation of our industry has would like to think their foresight
meant that mushrooms are being and spirit in forming an association
hauled over greater distances; what to further the aims of the mushroom
happens to produce in transit, how industry still live on today; and that
many temperature fluctuations and the AMGA will continue to be deemed
what levels of carbon dioxide are relevant and held in high regard by its
our mushrooms subjected to during members into the future.
the journey? Are mushrooms being
transported and/or kept in fridges In the meantime, stay safe; if you
with ethylene producing fruits at have concerns, observations or
distribution depots, market stands comments, please feel free to contact
and supermarkets? Is it strictly a me or Martine.
situation totally beyond individual
growers’ control, a case of ‘out of Geoff Martin
sight, out of mind’, or is it just being
regarded as too hard to do anything
about?

I know that remonstrating with the Chairman
16-year-old supermarket casual M: 0415 542 301
who has just tipped an almost E: [email protected]
empty box of grubby tired-looking
mushrooms, complete with bits of

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 3

&ARMEGGLAMA’TSIORNESPHOIRPT

Hello industry members, Martine Poulain, Relationship & General
Manager, Australian Mushroom Growers’
I trust you and your families Association
enjoyed some quality time over
Christmas and New Year, despite first Hort Innovation board meeting
the continuing “pandemic for the year in January, and we will
interruptions.” update you when news comes to hand
about the outcomes.
When I was writing my last
column for the 2020 Journal, The McKinna report has also been
we were still waiting on the mailed to you, so if you did not
results from the Industry receive a copy, please get in touch
Ballot instigated by The with me.
Costa Group. Just before the
break, we received these and ALL THINGS MARKETING
disseminated them to you. As a
recap, with 33 out of the 46 levy Before I roll into the AMGA
payers taking part in the vote, the operations, I wanted to provide you
results were: with an update relating to AMGA
communications. With the need to
1. Do you support the abolishment have some of our own Association
of the MARKETING AND messaging, the board approved the
PROMOTIONS component of the appointment of Leah Bramich, as a
mushroom spawn levy? full-time resource to the AMGA.

YES = 7 / NO = 26 I’m sure you will agree that Leah’s
talent and enthusiasm has already
2. Do you support the abolishment helped catapult the mushroom
of the RESEARCH AND brand from where it was before she
DEVELOPMENT component of the
mushroom spawn levy?

YES = 6 / NO = 27

When taking the time to talk to each
and every one of you in the lead
up to the vote, you provided some
vital feedback to us. Whilst most of
you were in support of the levy, you
requested the AMGA work with Hort
Innovation to better manage the levy
programs.

As your peak industry body, we
engaged the services of McKinna et
al. to take an objective look at the
marketing program specifically and
present recommendations for possible
improvements. Our Chair, Dr Geoff
Martin, presented this review at the

4 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Relationship & General Manager’s Report

commenced with us last April on TESTING Contestants are required to use
a part-time basis. I am excited to button, cups, swiss brown or
have her on the team to continue Testing forms were sent to AMGA portobello mushrooms in recipes
to promote and ultimately sell more members in mid-March. If you missed limited only by the baker’s
mushrooms! out, please contact me. imagination. We hope this will spark
interest within the baking industry
HAVE YOU SEEN THE If you are asking yourself why you to think outside the “steak and
MUSHROOM ADS ON TV? should test through the AMGA, I’d like mushroom” box, to be more creative
to take this opportunity to remind you and open to new ideas for pie fillings
The new “Mighty Mushie” campaign of the benefits: with fresh mushrooms as the hero
was launched mid-November, with ads ingredient.
running on TV nationally until mid- • The AMGA testing program is
December. We did see an increase conducted to assist members with We thank the support of AMGA
in mushroom consumption during verification activities, including member Margins Mushrooms in Woy
this time, so please read the Hort product testing (microbial, Woy for providing fresh mushrooms
Innovation marketing update in this chemical) and water testing for the contestants to use throughout
journal for detailed information. (microbial); providing evidence the competition.
that on-farm QA systems are
The second TV burst commenced in working effectively. Find out more information about the
February and will contnue until May. BAA and the pie competition, visit:
• The AMGA provides a http://www.bakingtradeshow.com.au/
ALDI PACKS comprehensive, independent features/registration-abpc/
testing program to assist
Hort Innovation collaborated with members with verification I’m looking forward to a productive
Aldi and our growers in January with activities. 2021 working for you all, and as
mushroom recipes on mushroom always, my door is open - so please
pre-packs, encouraging consumers to • Facilitated through the AMGA contact me anytime to discuss
purchase mushrooms over summer. office, the service includes sample industry concerns or to say hello.
To see them promoted as summer collection, laboratory coordination
food and as a kitchen staple is and results interpretation. Martine Poulain
fantastic.
• Most importantly, it allows us Relationship and General Manager
AMGA BEST PRACTICE GUIDE to protect the mushroom brand M: 0457 440 298
AND TRADEMARK LICENCE by having all the results at our E: [email protected]
fingertips, should there be a risk
The Association will release the management issue with one of
“AMGA Best Practice Guide for our member growers.
mushroom growers and compost
makers” mid-year. It will be mailed JOURNAL ADVERTISING
to all members and be available as a
download on our new AMGA website. If you provide a service or a product
to our industry and want to reach our
The AMGA Board felt it was vital to readers, please contact me for more
produce a guide intended to promote information.
good practice in mushroom operations
across Australia - remembering that AUSTRALIA’S BEST
good practice is usually about more MUSHROOM PIE
than what is just legally required. COMPETITION

Our trademark licence agreement is We are pleased to announce AMGA
also complete, but we are waiting as an official sponsor of the Bakery
on the government to confirm the Association of Australia (BAA) Trade
registration, which takes a couple show. This three-day event is host to
of months. We will send both the the baking industries annual baking
agreement and the Best Practice awards, and the crowning of the very
Guide to you at the same time and sought after title for “Australia’s Best
will be in touch prior to let you know Pie”. The competition receives entries
how to proceed. from bakers around the country with
the winner typically receiving national
AMGA WEBSITE media coverage.

Our expected go-live date is early For the first time, BAA will host a
April, and we are excited to show you new competition segment, “Australia’s
how engaging and informative this Best Mushroom Pie,” sponsored by the
portal will be for you all. AMGA.

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 5

POSITIVE
PERFORMANCE OF THE

Add The Mighty Mushie

CAMPAIGN

Add the Mighty Mushie is the call to The “mighty” combination has been the Australian Mushrooms YouTube
action encouraging Australians to adopted to position mushrooms as a channel. (http://bit.ly/MushieAd)
incorporate Australian Mushrooms unique food that can elevate ordinary
more into their meals, and with the meals well above the ordinary. NEWSCORP PARTNERSHIP
campaign launching in late 2020, now
is an excellent opportunity to find out TELEVISION As part of the process of increasing
how things are going. the overall reach for Australian
The campaign television commercial Mushrooms, a partnership has been
The first thing to note is that there is currently on-air, with the second developed with NewsCorp. This
are plenty of activities designed to TV burst having commenced in the approach has been designed to deliver
get the attention of consumers and first week of February. The ads a range of engaging content including
help encourage purchase decisions. are scheduled to run through until articles, editorials, recipe videos and
May, with a range of placements on demonstrations, and display and social
As outlined previously, the campaign Channel 7 and Channel 10. Broader advertising via the taste.com.au and
extends from television, online video, partnerships with these major TV Body & Soul publications.
social media, digital display, content channels and Hort Innovation provide
partnerships, public relations and additional efficiencies, with key This partnership commenced in late
in-store activities. To stay up-to-date programs delivering the opportunity January 2021 and is scheduled to
with current activities, a complete to maximise reach for Australian continue through until May, delivering
planning schedule for the campaign Mushrooms. key mushroom health messages,
can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/ as well as inspiration through
marketing-calendar-21 Ongoing analysis of the campaign’s mushroom-based dishes and recipes.
television component indicates that
THE APPROACH it is well on the way to meeting the The partnership’s importance can
established performance indicators, be seen in the sheer volume of
The approach adopted through having reached 87% of the planned people that can be reached daily. As
the campaign is to highlight how 1+ reach goal and 81% of the planned Australia’s number one destination
mushrooms can bring together a 2+ reach goal. for home cooks, taste.com.au reaches
combination of health and taste, almost one in two households every
delivering a range of nutrients and For anyone who has not viewed month, delivering tens of thousands
the savoury flavour called umami. the ad live, it can also be seen on of recipe and food-related content.

6 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Add The Mighty Mushie Campaign

In a similar fashion, Body & Soul is
a respected health and wellbeing
brand reaching millions of Australians.
Together, the work undertaken in
these channels allows Australian
Mushrooms to deliver information to
identified key audiences regularly in
familiar ways to those receiving the
messages. The level of trust and the
audience reach are critical factors
in the overall effectiveness of this
approach.

HEALTHY EASY MUSHROOM
RECIPES

The taste.com.au partnership has
already produced a range of materials,
including a gallery of 18 healthy
mushroom recipes and a mix of
individual mushroom recipe ideas. The
success of the approach can again be
seen in how it has engaged with the
target audience.

In addition to generating over The best performing post during the Mighty Mushie Masters Series focused on a
223,000 impressions to date, the veggie bowl recipe and promoted the health credentials of mushrooms. The post
Newscorp activity has driven a high delivered 636,982 impressions and 49,301 engagements highlighting a strong
click-through rate of 0.22%, a 266% audience connection with this type of content.
increase over the industry benchmark.
In particular, strong click-through
rates come from the pre-roll video
elements, the hero image overlay and
the surrounding media to the recipe
module.

In non-marketing English, this means Mushrooms website. The approach month; Coles Online has 2.3 million
that people who have seen the item was used in the lead up to Australia unique customer visits per week, and
are clicking on the links (such as the Day and over the summer season. the FlyBuys e-newsletter is sent to
ad at the start of a video or on the three million customers. While these
spectacular image of mushrooms Woolworths. Australian Mushrooms figures are significant, the overall
leaping out of a wok) at much higher gained prominence in Woolworths approach makes it a highly targeted
rates than other industry campaigns. stores, with a two-week aisle fin way of reaching grocery buyers with
activation during February. mushroom messaging.
RETAIL
MIGHTY MUSHIE MASTERS
Another focus of the Australian Coles. Australian Mushrooms will be
Mushrooms creative is to reach featured in Coles Magazine, Coles The previous edition of this Journal
consumers at the retail level, using Online and FlyBuys electronic direct highlighted a promotional partnership
advertising panels outside major mail. This approach will enable with a group of disruptive Australian
retailers. This placement of the greater customer reach and place chefs conducted under the title
advertisements close to the point Australian Mushrooms at the point of of “Mighty Mushie Masters”. The
of purchase helps keep mushrooms (online) purchase with Coles Online. chefs included Darren Robertson
top of mind with grocery shoppers. When customers search for a relevant (Three Blue Ducks and Rocker),
Several promotional activities have term, the Australian Mushrooms Julian Cincotta (Butter), Reynold
been held to support this approach, advertising will appear, taking them Poernomo (MasterChef, KOI Dessert
with additional future activities to to a page featuring mushroom Bar), Shannon Martinez (Smith &
be undertaken with the three major products and branded displays. The Daughters, Smith & Deli), and Jake
supermarkets as part of the campaign. Coles FlyBuys approach, scheduled Smyth and Kenny Graham (Mary’s
for late March 2021, will feature Group).
Aldi. On-pack stickers were used at Australian Mushrooms with a banner
Aldi supermarkets. These stickers ad in the e-newsletter. Each chef was tasked with developing
provided recipe inspiration, with bold and original dishes using the
a further call to action driving In terms of reach, the Coles Magazine Mighty Mushie as the hero ingredient.
consumers to the Australian reaches over 4.4 million readers per

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 7

To get the campaign message out
to consumers, the chefs conducted
live cooking segments hosted on
Australian Mushrooms social media
pages. These segments provided
the opportunity for fans at home
to cook along with the Mighty
Mushie Masters. To further extend
the approach, an Instagram Story
takeover and recipe content were
included to supplement the campaign’s
Live Cooks component.

The campaign commenced with an
announcement post to reveal the
participants in the Mighty Mushie
Masters. The subsequent activity
focused on a different participant
each week, highlighting their Live
Cook segment.

The campaign activity, targeting In a similar way to Facebook, recipe Recipe content performed consistently
home cooks, achieved seven million content has worked well on Instagram. well during the Might Mushie Masters
impressions (111% above target) and This post from the Mary’s Group for Series. The uniqueness of this recipe
585,000 engagements (368% above Spicy Fried “Shroom Burger was the top attributed to its success.
target), at a cost that was below performer.
target.

CAMPAIGN AND BRAND positive trajectory based on benchmarks.
TRACKING TO DATE consumer feedback.
• Message Takeout: The No. 1
A campaign and brand tracking • Saliency: Saliency is strong. message take out is that
study is underway to monitor the Prompted awareness is 32% mushrooms are a unique
effectiveness of the newly launched which is higher than previous combination of flavour and
campaign as well as determine campaigns. It suggests that the health – exactly what we want!
any opportunities for learning and campaign is improved in cutting
optimisation. through with strong imagery • Attitudinal Impact: There’s been a
that emotionally resonates. positive increase in associations
Topline results have been released off that mushrooms are tasty,
the back of the launch and capturing • Purchase intent: As a result of nutritious, and energising.
feedback from the last few months’ strong prompted awareness,
activity. A deeper review will be results show improved • Media: While TV continues to be
released end of March. purchase intent from those the primary driver of campaign
who have been exposed to the recall, digital channels such as
Overall, the campaign is on a advertisements vs previous YouTube, social media, online
campaigns and outperforms advertising are demonstrating
effectiveness.

8 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 9

HARHVOEMSET TO

MARKET OVERVIEW

In the latest 52 weeks through to 24 January 2021, mushrooms were rising quickly, at 12.9% in terms of dollars ($) and rising, at 5.5% in terms
of volume (kg). The percentage of buying households remained steady. The average spend ($) rose, from $49.63 to $55.57. The average weight

purchased (kg) rose from 4.4kg to 4.6kg.

With 18.9% for dollar sales, and 11.8% for volume, Victoria grew the most of all states.

10 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Harvest to Home

In terms of dollar sales change, mushrooms gained 12.9%, compared to capsicum, which gained the most with 16.2%.

Among its competitive set, tomatoes led (35.0%) in terms of dollar share, with mushrooms making up 19.2%. Viewing volume (kg) share,
mushrooms comprised 11.3%.

22.6% of mushrooms volume sales were sold on promotion over the past 52 weeks.
Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 11

RETAILER OVERVIEW

Looking at the dollar share of trade, major supermarkets comprised 77.2% of all mushrooms dollar sales. Dollar sales for major supermarkets
rose by 13.9%. Non-supermarkets make up 12.8% of dollar share of trade. Dollar sales were increasing by 4.1% .

Major supermarkets formed 75.7% of the total market by volume. Non-supermarkets led over other supermarkets,
with 14.6% of the market by volume.

12 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

HOW HOUSEHOLDS BEHAVED OVER THE PAST YEAR

The percentage of buying households remained steady, at 80%. Buying occasions over the last 52 weeks increased, sitting at 14.0.

The average household spent $55.57 on mushrooms, in comparison to household spend for tomatoes for the same period, at $85.26. The
household purchase (by weight) for mushrooms was at 4.6kg, a rise from 4.4kg in the prior year.
Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 13

HOW HOUSEHOLDS BEHAVE EACH TIME THEY SHOP

For mushrooms, the amount purchased per buying occasion remained unchanged at 0.3kg. Amount ($) spent per occasion
was at $3.98, a rise from the prior year.

High income households contributed the most dollar sales to mushrooms with 45.0% , in contrast to 45.7% for total vegetables.
14 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

At an average of $63.99 and 5.4kg purchased over the past year, Senior Couples led lifestages in terms of mushrooms buying. Senior Couples
led lifestages in buying occasions, with 16.2 trips over the last year, compared to 14.0 trips average for all shoppers.

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 15

PREODJUECACTTIOCNOPNRTOICNEUSSES

Healthcare professionals continue to e-newsletter, summary brochure, Key speakers at the event were:
be educated about mushrooms’ health and consumer media activities. The
and nutritional benefits as part of a following information provides an • Emma Beckett (food and
three-year project designed to help update on subsequent activities, nutrition expert and University of
increase overall consumption. including an Expert Roundtable, the Newcastle lecturer) – How should
findings of the second Audience fungi foods be included in dietary
The project has been underpinned by Sentiment Research, public relations recommendations?
the world’s first Systematic Literature and social media activities.
Review (SLR) on Agaricus bisporus, • Glenn Cardwell (Advanced
which investigated their effects EXPERT ROUNDTABLE Accredited Practising Dietitian) -
on human health. Not only did the The facts on fungi: What are they
examination reveal an exciting range In November 2020, the project team and what makes them unique?
of health benefits, but the publication brought together experts across
of the findings in The Journal of nutrition research, food science, • Flavia Fayet-Moore (Registered
Nutritional Biochemistry provided nutrition, and culinary practice nutritionist, Accredited Practising
an additional level of credibility for to discuss in a practical sense Dietitian, board-certified
Australian Mushrooms. whether mushrooms should be Lifestyle Medicine Professional
given greater focus within dietary and Honorary Associate of the
The project team, led by Dr Flavia recommendations. University of Sydney) - How
Fayet-Moore of Nutrition Research healthy are fungi? Examining
Australia, have successfully used this The event’s objective was to take their bioactive and health
knowledge in a wide range of health the theme - “Fungi foods: How benefits.
professional communications and a should they be included in dietary
series of focused media and public recommendations?” - and, together • Jim Fuller (Mushroom scientist,
relations activities. with existing knowledge of nutritional co-founder and Chief Science
properties, develop a White Paper Officer of Fable Foods Co) -
Previous editions of this Journal to communicate these findings to Beyond nutrients: The role of
have outlined a wide range of healthcare professionals. fungi foods in culinary nutrition.
initial activities, such as a regular
• Arpad Kalotas (Botanist and bush
food expert) - Native mushrooms:
The consumption of fungi in
indigenous culture.

• Linda Tapsell AO (Dietitians
Association of Australia and
Nutrition Society of Australia
Fellow, distinguished medical
and health sciences academic) -
Translating science into dietary
advice: Where and how would
fungi foods fit?

Dr Fayet-Moore said while COVID
restrictions meant the event was
held virtually, participants actively
engaged in a detailed examination of
the issue.

“From our perspective, the event was
a success and was very well received
by participants. To deliver a workable
outcome, we were very selective with
the experts invited to attend and
encouraged wide-ranging discussion
with presentations across key areas.”

16 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Project Continues Education Process

ROUNDTABLE SUMMARY

The expert panel concluded that fungi are truly unique
foods, distinct from both animal and plants. Their unique
nutritional, cultural and health properties make them
worthy for greater focus and consideration to promote
health, especially in the modern food era.

Some questions that will be answered in the Roundtable
White Paper:

• Fungi: what are they?
• Should we be focusing on mushrooms and fungi food

more?
• What amounts should we be eating?
• Looking to the future – translating the emerging

science into dietary guidance.

“One of the critical things that review of the Australian awareness across five core areas,
were widely agreed to was that Dietary Guidelines. including the knowledge of nutritional
mushrooms are distinctly unique to properties and health benefits of
plant and animal foods and a greater She said the Australian mushrooms, the value placed on the
consideration should be given to their Government has currently health properties of mushrooms,
role in population- and individual-level undertaken to establish an the perception of mushrooms for
health.” Expert Committee to review and health, and the behaviour around
update the Guidelines to ensure they recommending mushrooms to clients.”
The event established a need to are supported by the most recent,
increase focus on fungi foods in relevant and high-quality evidence. “The idea quite simply is that if we
dietary recommendations and can increase all those factors, it will
proposed ideas on realising this “Given the current Guidelines were open the potential for mushroom
opportunity. The discussion also published in 2013, and based on what consumption to increase.”
included how the unique nutritional we now know about the nutritional
and health benefits of fungi could value of mushrooms in the diet, we She said the survey had been
be overlooked when grouped within are well-positioned to make some impacted by the fact that a range
the current vegetable food grouping clear recommendations when the of crucial opportunities to educate
in the dietary recommendations, and review gets underway.” healthcare professionals through
how culinary practices can impact the conferences and events did not occur
overall taste of mushrooms. AUDIENCE SENTIMENT due to COVID-19 and were replaced
RESEARCH by a targeted online communications
“We are now well underway with the strategy that included a range of
task of developing a White Paper to In addition to the SLR, another key other educational tools such as videos
deliver the findings from the Expert foundational element of the project and electronic direct mail.
Roundtable clearly to healthcare is the ongoing audience sentiment
professionals. research, scheduled to be undertaken “The overall situation was a little
at three stages over the project’s life. bit tricky, but we did evaluate the
The draft is currently being reviewed, activities that were conducted to
and we are considering a range An initial survey was conducted at track any movement against the initial
of activities to communicate this the start of the project to develop baseline.”
information as widely as possible.” a baseline for the perception and
understanding of mushrooms’ The online survey was conducted
DIETARY GUIDELINES nutritional and health benefits by in October 2020 over five weeks,
REVIEW healthcare professionals. A second with a total of 195 healthcare
survey was scheduled for midway professionals taking part. Of those
Dr Fayet-Moore explained the White through the project, with a final third who took part, 49% were dietitians
Paper’s timing was appropriate, survey at the conclusion of the project and nutritionists, 17% were allied
particularly given the upcoming activities. healthcare professionals, 15% nurses,
9% general practitioners, and 5%
Dr Fayet-Moore explained that project categorised as “other”. The survey
delays caused by COVID-19 had caused participants were mostly female and
some issues with the survey approach. mostly located in New South Wales
and Victoria.
“Our objective was to measure

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 17

PLEASING SURVEY RESULTS mushrooms are still viewed as equal seminar with Simplot. The event
to vegetables, but they are now represents an ideal opportunity to
Dr Fayet-Moore said that despite the increasingly identified as nutritionally excite and engage a key healthcare
limitations imposed by COVID-19, the important. Given the strong health professional group on the latest
survey results were very pleasing. knowledge around vegetables over science of mushrooms.
a long period, the messaging around
“Based on the responses, there has mushrooms still has a long way to go.”
been a significant increase across the
board in understanding, knowledge, She said that when health
recommendations and value of professionals were made aware of
mushrooms by health professionals.” their nutritional properties, they
were recommending them to clients.
Some of the key findings included: Two other reasons that drive their
recommendation included being an
• A significant increase (91.2%) in excellent vegetarian option and easy
the number of respondents able to cook.
to specify at least one nutritional
property of mushrooms – a rise “From our perspective, it was also
of 19.2% from 2019. good to note that those health
professionals who indicate they never
• Knowledge that mushrooms recommend mushrooms to clients
contain vitamin D saw the biggest have dropped significantly. Ultimately,
increase in awareness (up 15.7% we want to encourage healthcare
from 2019), which showcases the professionals to recommend
impact of the campaign focus. mushrooms more often, and the
results of the survey suggest we are
• An increase in the number of achieving this outcome.”
health professionals (53.8%)
recommending mushrooms to Dr Fayet-Moore explained that while
clients either often, always or there had been a delay in delivering
sometimes (an increase of 7.8% some of the project components,
since 2019). 2021 was shaping up to have many
activities taking place.
• A decrease (down 10.6%) in
health professionals who never DIETITIANS UNITE
recommend mushrooms to clients. CONFERENCE

Dr Fayet-Moore said that given the The Dietitians Unite conference in,
changed focus of the opportunities initially scheduled for Melbourne in
to influence health professionals, 2020, will now go ahead virtually in
it is significant that mushrooms’ May this year.
perception of nutrition has increased
and achieved positive change. As part of the event, attended by over
600 dietitians, Australian Mushrooms
“It is interesting to note that will co-host the sold-out breakfast

18 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

FUN FACTS

During the research process for the SLR, a wide range of interesting
research insights were identified. The project team refined a series of
48 unique “Fun Facts” with the potential to deliver strong standalone
communication messages about mushrooms and their health benefits.

The Fun Facts are an engaging tool that can be used to support both
healthcare professional and consumer messaging within the Australian
Mushrooms marketing campaign. The messages have been used in a
large number of communications in the second half of 2020, including
the SLR brochure, SLR video, a range of social media posts, the
Dietitians Unite recipe booklet and fact sheet, and electronic direct mail
materials.

For all the latest mushroom resources Some example of the Fun Facts include:
in one place. Click the button to view
the resource or visit https://nraus.com/ • Nutritional all-rounder: Mushrooms not only provide nutrients found
mushroomhub/ in fruit and vegetables, but also those found in meat and grains
too.
The project team will deliver key
messages through a presentation, • Tan those mushies: Place your mushrooms in the sun gills side up to
cooking demonstration, panel increase the vitamin D content by up to 30%.
discussion and resources, including a
fact sheet produced in collaboration • Natures supplement: UV-exposed mushrooms can be as effective as
with Simplot. A recipe booklet has vitamin D supplement for increasing vitamin D.
also been development to showcase
mushrooms and key recipes. This • Healthy heart: Mushrooms cooked in extra-virgin olive oil may help
booklet will be shared and made to improve markers of heart health.
available to healthcare professionals
to distribute to their clients. • A fun-gi therapy: Mushroom extract has shown promise to help
manage prostate cancer in preliminary experimental trials.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
of the final sentiment survey will be opportunities still within the project,
A range of additional activities has conducted at the conclusion of these I am confident that it will show we
also been planned for the second half additional activities. have achieved meaningful results with
of 2021, including a webinar, client- health professionals over the past
oriented resources for healthcare Dr Fayet-Moore said the final survey three years,” she said.
professionals to share, and a digital would provide evidence on the
activation campaign to drive the degree of change achieved due to the Flavia Fayet-Moore | Project Leader
message to as many health-care activities undertaken throughout the M: 0415 990 050
professionals as possible. The timing project. E: [email protected]

“Based on the results we have seen
to date and taking into account the

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 19

SOCIAL MEDIA
In today’s media landscape, there is no escaping the influence of social media. Tapping into the power of social
media channels provides an excellent opportunity to leverage the mushroom and health message. The project
has been successful in having other health professionals take up the mushroom messages, providing increased
coverage through their social media channels. Some examples include the following:
Dr Emma Beckett – an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Lecturer in Food Science and Human Nutrition at the
University of Newcastle. Dr Bennett has shared multiple content from the mushrooms campaign.
• The Insight Vitamin D article across her Facebook and Twitter social media platforms.
• Some Fun Facts about mushrooms and vitamin D on Twitter to her 18.5 K followers - Post receiving 1.1 K

likes, 75 comments, 211 retweets and 39 quote tweets.
Leanne Ward (The Fitness Dietitian) - an Australian media dietitian, nutritionist, sports dietitian and online social
media influencer.
• A TikTok video on mushrooms and vitamin D recommended placing mushrooms in the sun for 15 minutes

before you eat them to get your daily vitamin D. The video was shared to her 307.8 K followers, receiving
51.2 K views, 4960 likes and 65 comments.
With consumers increasingly receiving a range of messages through a broad cross-section of social media
channels, the use of nutritional information through key health care professional influencers is an excellent
opportunity for Australian Mushrooms to increase understanding about the potential benefits of eating
mushrooms as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

20 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

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Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 21

FOOD SAFETY A KEY
INDUSTRY PRIORITY

The Australian mushroom industry's on food safety, and all aspects of of mushroom production to the supply
commitment to both "promote and compliance and risk. The industry: of product to consumers.
protect" its members can be seen
in the recent investment in the • Was the first horticultural The three pillars are:
levy-funded project - Extension and industry sector to develop
Adoption for Food Safety, Quality and a commodity specific HACCP 1. Knowledge and information hub.
Risk Management. Plan, long before food safety
certification was a requirement 2. Communication and extension
The five-year project, delivered by to supply product. hub.
the AMGA with support from Applied
Horticultural Research and food safety • Verification Testing Program, 3. Act and react industry support.
expert Clare Hamilton-Bate, has been managed through the AMGA,
designed to provide levy payers with provides input and product Consideration will also be given to
a range of targeted information in testing for both investigative and the risk associated with processed
food safety, quality, and broader compliance purposes. and value-added mushroom products,
industry compliance. specifically in managing raw material
• Has in place the effective AMSAFE inputs for that purpose.
As well as providing access to initiative to identify, review
extensive information and advisory and resolve industry crises as EXPERIENCED DELIVERY
services, the project will pro- required.
actively provide regular articles, The core team charged with delivering
webinars, training materials and other • Risk Management process and the project – Clare Hamilton-Bate
resources. framework has been underpinned and Jenny Ekman - are well-known
over the past two decades by to the Australian industry and have
The objective of this approach is the Food Safety and Quality extensive experience in food safety
to assist mushroom supply chain Assurance Risk Management research and extension, compliance,
businesses and staff to adopt best Service. and risk management.
practice.
As reported in the previous edition Through biannual grower visits and
PROJECT BACKGROUND of this Journal, the project comprises committee updates, the overarching
three closely related components, management provided through
The Australian mushroom industry combining both proactive and reactive the AMGA as project lead will
has always adopted a proactive focus activities that extend from all aspects further assist in terms of industry
engagement.

22 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Food Safety A Key Industry Priority

KNOWLEDGE AND
INFORMATION HUB

The knowledge and information hub
aims to bring together everything
mushroom businesses ever needed
to know about food safety but were
afraid to ask. Resources will include
summaries of local and overseas
research, fact sheets, final reports,
news items and the latest advances
in understanding this complex and
changing area.

The hub will be accessed through a Clare Hamilton-Bate (left) and Jenny Ekman (right) provide extensive experience
food safety “tab” on the new AMGA to deliver project outcomes.
website. Topics include:
understanding of current staff. Short in food safety and quality. Supply
• The major microbial and chemical workshops may be delivered online chain members will have access to
hazards that could potentially or – where possible – in person. The a database of research, reports,
occur on mushrooms. training materials will be supported and innovative extension tools and
with short videos, web recordings resources.
• Ways to reduce risk, including and a short Q&A for attendees to test
managing inputs, using sanitisers their understanding. Industry will also be provided with
or postharvest treatments. training, advice on compliance,
Training availability will be advertised verification testing and on-farm
• Testing – why and how to test, through the industry e-newsletters procedures. In the unlikely event of a
using the AMGA verification as well as in this Journal. Other topics food safety incident, technical support
testing service, and interpreting and activities will be based on specific will be close at hand, providing a
results. issues raised by industry members as high level of risk management for the
well as “hot topics” arising through wider industry.
• Developments in compliance the Information and Knowledge Hub.
systems including not only quality As outlined above, further information
assurance and food safety, but ACT & REACT about this project will be made
also environmental insurance, available in the Journal's upcoming
ethical compliance, and worker A range of core activities undertaken editions, through the regular monthly
health and welfare. by the AMGA on behalf of the Industry Update newsletter, and the
Australian mushroom industry will AMGA website.
• Extension delivery and associated continue as part of this project.
resources from a variety of
sources, including the Fresh These activities include the AMSAFE Martine Poulain | AMGA
Produce Safety Centre, Produce Committee's operations, the delivery M: 0457 440 298
Marketing Association (Australia of advisory services, on-call crisis E: [email protected]
& New Zealand and the United support, and participation in the
States). annual R&D review meeting.

• General media and network This will allow industrywide technical Jenny Ekman
updates. issues to be addressed and resolved, M: 0407 384 285
either by immediate actions or E: [email protected]
COMMUNICATION & through recommendations for further
EXTENSION HUB action and research.

The communication and extension PROJECT OUTCOMES Clare Hamilton-Bate
hub will include a range of proactive M: 0407 930 586
activities designed to ensure Through this project, the wider E: [email protected]
Australian mushroom farms can mushroom industry will be kept fully
implement best practices. informed of all new developments

One key activity will be to develop
new food safety training materials.
These will provide businesses with
a quick and easy way to induct new
employees as well as refresh the

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 23

24 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

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Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 25

MYCETOCOLA

AN EMERGING SOFT ROT DISEASE
OF CULTIVATED AGARICUS BISPORUS

Warwick Gill boundaries are cause to be watchful. bacteria which were ascribed the
epithets Mycetocola saprophilus,
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture INTRODUCTION Mycetocola tolaasinivorans and
University of Tasmania, Hobart Mycetocola lacteus.
Novel bacteria isolated from rotting
SUMMARY cultivated Pleurotus ostreatus (grey Between September and December
oyster) mushrooms in Japan in 1998 2018, a severe browning symptom
Bacterial brown pit on Agaricus defied characterisation as they did was observed on commercially grown
bisporus caused by Mycetocola sp. not fit descriptions of existing genera. A. bisporus mushrooms in the central
has been described from Iran. The These atypical isolates were shown Iranian provinces of Alborz and Tehran
ability of this pathogenic Mycetocola to actively suppress the production of (Hamidizade et al 2020). In addition
species to incite pitting and soft rot tolaasin by the brown blotch organism to numerous pseudomonad strains,
symptomology on both Agaricus and Pseudomonas tolaasii and created six atypical bacterial strains were
Pleurotus mushrooms, the prevalence interest as a possible biological also isolated from the symptomatic
of other Mycetocola species on control of blotch. mushrooms. Molecular analyses
various cultivated mushrooms, the identified the atypical isolates as
flourishing white button mushroom As a result of molecular analyses, belonging to the recently established
industry in the Asian region and the the establishment of a new genus genus Mycetocola, but species names
demonstrated ability of mushroom Mycetocola within the family were not assigned as they were not
pathogens, particularly soft rot Microbacteriaceae was proposed in consistent with those Mycetocola
organisms, to cross taxonomic 2001 to accommodate the detoxifying species previously described. The
common name ‘bacterial brown pit’
was adopted as to be descriptive of
both the pathogen and symptomology.

SYMPTOMOLOGY

When inoculated onto entire
excised mushroom caps, Mycetocola
isolates induced a faintly pathogenic
symptomology characterised by dark
yellow to pale brown areas confined
to the site of inoculation, with no
obvious signs of necrosis, deformation
or blotching (Fig. 1).

Figure 1 Darkening of cap tissue resulting from the artificial inoculation of an entire However, when the Mycetocola
excised mushroom cap with Mycetocola sp. Image: Hamidizade et al (2020). Reproduced isolates were inoculated onto the cut
under CCC license 1099914Ͳ1 surfaces of excised mushroom caps,
tissue degradation was aggressive
resulting in severe pitting at the site
of inoculation after 48 hours (Fig.
2). The difference in the extent of
symptomology expressed between
entire and cut mushroom caps
indicates a protective function of the
overlying ‘skin’ or pileipellis. Unlike
the initial Mycetocola species isolated
from Japan these pathogenic isolates
did not detoxify tolaasin, the toxin
responsible for brown blotch which is
produced by P. tolaasii.

age2 26 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Mycetocola (Soft Rot)

a b c

Figure 2 Artificial inoculation of Mycetocola onto cut surfaces of excised A. bisporus sporocarps a) Viewed from above, Mycetocola
degrades the mushroom cap tissue through to the top of the stipe beneath the point of inoculation b) in longitudinal section, the
total degradation of cap tissue beneath the point(s) of inoculation can be seen c) in longitudinal section, the stipe appears to be less
susceptible to pitting but upper stipe tissue adjacent to the degrading cap has darkened. Images: Hamidizade et al (2020).
Reproduced under CCC license 1099914Ͳ1

Page3 All six isolates were also pathogenic cheeses such as Mycetocola reblochoni pathogens of cultivated Agaricus has
on Pleurotus eryngii (King oyster) from the surface of French Reblochon significantly widened.
mushrooms, inciting brown pitting cheese and an as yet unnamed
symptomology on cut surfaces Mycetocola species from blue-veined The bacterial and fungal mushroom
although the pitting was less severe cheese in the United Kingdom. pathogens which currently afflict
than that induced on the cut surfaces the Australian mushroom industry
of Agaricus caps. Furthermore, the Interestingly, gene sequencing has have emerged over many years from
growth of mycelium of 10 common grouped the Mycetocola species into the traditional Agaricus mushroom
plant pathogenic fungi was unaffected three distinct phylogenetic groups pioneering regions of Europe and
when challenged with bacterial (which describe evolutionary origins) North America.
suspensions of the Mycetocola according to their source of isolation;
isolates in vitro. the mushroom isolates form Clade I, However, with Asia emerging as the
the food-based isolates Clade II and world’s major production centre of
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF the environmental isolates Clade III, white button mushrooms – mainland
MYCETOCOLA indicating that the current taxonomy China alone is estimated to have
of this new genus does not reflect produced 3m tonnes or about 60%
Mycetocola (Latin noun myceto the true phylogeny of its constituent of global production of A. bisporus
fungus; Greek adjective -cola species and further taxonomic studies in 2019 – the number of potential
inhabitant; Mycetocola fungus- are required. novel mushroom pathogens is likely
dweller) is an obligately aerobic to increase as the endemic microflora
Gram-positive non-spore-forming non- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE of the region, like that historically of
motile actinomycete forming irregular MUSHROOM PATHOGEN Europe and North America, is exposed
rods (0.2-0.4 μm × 2-3.5 μm). Colonies MYCETOCOLA to, evolves along with and exploits
are circular, convex, smooth and the intensive cultivation system that
yellowish-white on Peptone Sucrose Aside from a single historical defines contemporary A. bisporus
agar. Growth occurs between 20– record in 1937 of Bacillus polymyxa production.
30°C, optimally at 25°C, but not at causing bacterial pit on A. bisporus,
4°C or above 33°C. Mycetocola is the first pathogenic Growers, be vigilant...
Gram +ve bacterium to be isolated
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION OF from symptomatic white button Warwick Gill | Project Leader
THE GENUS MYCETOCOLA mushrooms and indeed from any wild M: 0417 766 588
or cultivated mushrooms (Hamidizade E: [email protected]
Since its proposal in 2001, et al 2020). Consequently, the
representatives of the genus spectrum of potential bacterial
Mycetocola have been isolated from
a range of extreme natural habitats
including Mycetocola manganoxydans
from sand from the Taklamakan
Desert in China, Mycetocola
zhadangensis from snow on the
Zhadang Glacier in China, Mycetocola
miduiensis from the soil of the Midui
Glacier in Tibet and Mycetocola
zhujimingii from the faeces of Tibetan
antelopes.

Strains have also been isolated from

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 27

KEY REFERENCES

Beach WS (1937) Control of mushroom diseases and weed fungi. Bulletin of the Pennsylvania Agricultural
Experimental Station 351

Bora N, Vancanneyt M, Gelsomino R, Snauwaert C, Swings J, Jones AL, Ward AC, Chamba JF, Kroppenstedt RM,
Schumann P, Goodfellow M (2008) Mycetocola reblochoni sp. nov., isolated from the surface microbial flora of
Reblochon cheese. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 58:2687-2693

Evtushenko LI, Takeuchi M (2006) The family Microbacteriaceae. In The Prokaryotes: a Handbook on the Biology
of Bacteria. 3rd Ed, vol 3. Archaea, Bacteria, Firmicutes, Actinomyctes (edited by Dworkin, Falkow, Rosenberg,
Schleifer and Stackebrandt). Springer, New York. pp1020-1098

Gill WM, Tsuneda A (1997) The interaction of the soft rot bacterium Pseudomonas gladioli pv agaricicola with
Japanese cultivated mushrooms. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 43:639-648

Hamidizade M, Taghavi SM, Martins SJ, Herschlag RA, Hockett KL, Bull CT, Osdaghi E (2020) Bacterial brown pit, a
new disease of edible mushrooms caused by Mycetocola sp. Plant Disease 104:1445-1454

Kertesz MA, Thai M (2018) Compost bacteria and fungi that influence growth and development of Agaricus
bisporus and other commercial mushrooms. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 102:1639-1650

Li, J, Yang J, Lu S, Jin D, Lai XH, Zhang G, Tian Z, Pu J, Wu X, Huang Y, Wang S, Xu J (2019) Mycetocola zhujimingii
sp. nov., isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelopes (Pantholops hodgsonii). International Journal of Systematic and
Evolutionary Microbiology 69:1117-1122

Luo X, Wang J, Zeng XC, Wang Y, Zhou L, Nie Y, Dai J, Fang C (2012) Mycetocola manganoxydans sp. nov., an
actinobacterium isolated from the Taklamakan desert. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary
Microbiology 62:2967-2970

Mahmood S, Iqbal MW, Riaz T, Hassanin HAM, Zhu Y, Ni D, Mu W (2020) Characterization of a recombinant L-ribose
isomerase from Mycetocola miduiensis and its application for the production of L-ribulose. Enzyme and Microbial
Technology 135:109510

Osdaghi E, Martins SJ, Sepulveda L, Vieira FR, Pecchia JA, Beyer DM, Bell TH, Yang Y, Hockett KL, Bull CT (2019) 100
years since Tolaas: Bacterial blotch of mushrooms in the 21st century. Plant Disease 103:2714-2732

Shen L, Liu Y, Yao T, Kang S, Wang Y, Jiao N, Liu H, Zhou Y, Xu B, Liu X (2013) Mycetocola zhadangensis sp. nov.,
isolated from snow. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 63:3375-3378

Stackebrandt E, Brambilla E, Richert K (2007) Gene sequence phylogenies of the family Microbacteriaceae. Current
Microbiology 55:42-46

Tsukamoto T, Shirata A, Murata H (1998) Isolation of a Gram-positive bacterium effective in suppression of
brown blotch disease of cultivated mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporus, caused by Pseudomonas
tolaasii. Mycoscience 39:273-278

Tsukamoto T, Takeuchi M, Shida O, Murata H, Shirata A (2001) Proposal of Mycetocola gen. nov. in the family
Microbacteriaceae and three new species., Mycetocola saprophilus, sp. nov., Mycetocola tolaasinivorans sp. nov.,
and Mycetocola lacteus sp. nov., isolated from cultivated mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus. International Journal of
Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 51:937-944

Tsukamoto T, Murata H, Shirata A (2002) Identification of non-pseudomonad bacteria from fruit bodies of
wild Agaricales fungi that detoxify tolaasin produced by Pseudomonas tolaasii. Bioscience, Biotechnology and
Biochemistry. 66:2201-2208

Tsukamoto T (2015) Mycetocola. Bergey’s Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria. John Wiley and Sons Inc.

Yunita D, Dodd CER (2018) Microbial community dynamics of a blue-veined raw milk cheese from the United
Kingdom. Journal of Dairy Science 101:4923-4935

Zhu L, Liu Q, Liu H, Zhou Y, Xin Y, Dong X (2013) Mycetocola miduiensis sp. nov., a psychrotolerant bacterium
isolated from Midui glacier. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 63:2661-2665

28 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

VALE: JOHN MILLER

as well as being an advocate for
the construction of a Centre for
Excellence in aged in dementia care
for Hawkesbury’s ageing population.
In 2018 he received an Order of
Australia medal for his services to the
community.

A loving family man, and valued
colleague – we will miss him.

John and Beryl Miller The following extract from
his book “Reminiscences of a
The mushroom industry has lost this industry. Fun’gi” highlights some of the
one of its most significant and promotional push provided
distinguished leaders, with the John promoted the use of locally by John. The information
passing of John Miller, OAM, at the age grown mushrooms and worked to is a reprint from Market
of 91. He leaves behind his wife of 67 unite farmers across the country. Industries News – March
years Beryl, their children Annette, He was instrumental in establishing 1971.
Ken and Robyn, his seven grand- a research facility at Rydalmere to
children and six great grandchildren. improve productivity of local farms, Touching briefly on the state
and commanded support and loyalty of the industry, Johnny Miller
John was an Icon of the industry from the AMGA membership - which told “Market Industries News”
and was often referred to as “Mr reflected not only in the growth of that your mushrooms had been
Mushroom”. He first took on the the Industry but also the ability of the grown this year mainly because
honorary position of Public Relations Industry to manage that growth. of weather conditions. The
and Promotions Officer at the AMGA main production was coming
in 1969, and in 1973 was appointed John was a life honorary member from air-conditioned “farms”.
to the permanent position of General of the AMGA, and he will be
Manager. remembered not only for his As this issue went to press there
intellectual contributions, but also was actually a scarcity of top
In his final General managers report for his kindness and the welcoming grade mushrooms and prices at
in 1991/92, his commitment to the personality that he extended to the market were higher.
industry is more than evident. everyone.
Said Johnny: “We’ve picked
The AMGA office was run from our In addition to his mushroom industry March 29 to April 3 as the
own home to keep overheads down. activities, John was a proud regional big week to flog mushroom
Beryl handled all phone enquiries ambassador for the Hawkesbury area. sales. There will be more than
below is running around promoting He served as the chief warden for enough to go around. We have
“fresh mushrooms” and fighting the the Hawkesbury State Emergency proved in the past that sustain
many mushroom industry problems Service, establishing an early flood promotion pays off.”
that kept arising. Making sure warning system for the region. He
mushrooms were ordered from farms also served as the social secretary Referring to the 16-page lift out
for me to deliver to home economists, of the Hawkesbury Historical Society due to appear in the Australian
cookery editors and photographers. and was declared an Ambassador for Women’s Weekly, Mr Miller
the Hawkesbury for his passion in said the industry could not have
Checked recipes for our leaflets promoting the rich heritage of the afforded such an expenditure.
to go into shops, monitored the area.
press clipping service and consumer The cost of a full colour
requests. Beryl’s behind-the-scenes A report in the local Hawkesbury page advertisement in the
support has been a major contributing Gazette also credits him as a driving publication’s $2000, which
factor, for which I’m most grateful, in force behind a third river crossing means lift that is worth more
maintaining the service required by from Richmond to North Richmond, than 300,000.

Vale: John Miller It’s like a free gift to mushroom
growers he said.

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 29

READJUSTING
AGORA

Judy Allan went live in late 2003. Margaret. They were responsible for
the technical content together until
Pest & Disease Management When it was initially set up, it was the time Alan Clift left the industry.
Service expected that when growers had a
problem or a question, they would The responsibility for uploading and
The history of the mushroom industry log in and submit a diagnosis request updating website information became
pest and disease website goes back and attach supporting information. integrated into funded projects.
as far as 2001 when Government This diagnosis request would then Currently, the people responsible
research and advisory services had be answered remotely by a pest and for maintaining the content of the
declined, and the industry realised it disease expert retained by the AMGA website's operation are Judy Allan and
needed to step up and try to fill some and referred to as a 'Doctor'. The Chris Rowley under the levy-funded
of the gaps this created. database attached to this function project MU16003 Pest and Disease
would then collect data about the Management and Research Services.
The AMGA members were surveyed incidence of pests and disease.
to determine the status of pests, There was, and still is, an element of
pesticide use and pest management Over time growers started to contact risk management for the mushroom
in the industry. A mushroom industry the 'Doctors' directly by telephone or industry behind this site's continued
task force approached the IT email, and AGORA's primary function operation. It is a resource that can be
company Rapid Corporation to assist polarised to being a library of key used should a farm or multiple farms
with developing an internet-based mushroom pest and disease articles, be affected by widespread pests or
communication, information and papers and information. Dr Alan Clift disease that threaten the regular
database collaboration platform. The and Judy Allan did the initial set up supply of mushrooms to the market.
website was named AGORA, and it with admin support from Alan's wife,
The production cost is increasing
faster than the sale price of
mushrooms, so yield, and quality
losses due to pest and disease
outbreaks have a more significant
impact. Therefore access to specific
information to understand how the
problem spreads and the critical
control points are more important
than ever.

SAFETY DATA SHEETS

Does the AGORA website still include
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for
pesticides used in the Australian
mushroom industry?

This aspect is the most significant
single change to occur in AGORA in
2021. Initially, the goal was to upload
a copy of a Label and Safety Data
Sheet for each pesticide legally able
to be used in the mushroom industry.

Twenty years on the pesticide scene
is quite different, and the decision
was recently taken NOT to continue to
include SDSs on the website.

30 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Readjusting AGORA

KWWSV DJRUD DXVWUD

Numerous aspects were carefully NEW ITEMS
considered before this decision was
made. The Australian Pesticides Do many new items get added to
and Veterinary Medicines Authority AGORA?
(APVMA) actively promotes itself as
the place to go to keep up to date The primary source of new $FFHVVLQJ $*25$ 2XWFR
on registered status. Although there information added to AGORA LQ HDV\ VWHSV
are not many new additions to the is the outputs of MU16003 Cki^hee
list of registered active ingredients, which include eight items per '$ L_i_j j^[ d[m m[Xi_j[ Wj0 ^jjfi0%% Yeiji Wd
there are significantly more pesticide year published in the Australian W]ehW$WkijhWb_Wdcki^heeci$Yec$Wk ?\
products available. The task of Mushrooms Journal, Fact oek ^Wl[ j^[ fh[l_eki i_j[ b_ij[Z _d
sourcing an SDS less than five years Sheets, some videos, and, more oekh \Wlekh_j[i" fb[Wi[ h[fbWY[ j^[
old from companies was extremely recently voice-over-PowerPoint fh[l_eki WZZh[ii m_j^ j^[ d[m KHB$
time-consuming, with enquiries presentations. There is a trend ?\ oek Wh[ l_[m_d] j^_i @ekhdWb
frequently failing to obtain the toward adding some more edb_d[" `kij Yb_Ya ed j^[ be]_d _cW][
necessary documentation. technical papers and not just WXel[ je ]e ijhW_]^j je j^[ i_j[$
what could be called 'farm-
In the last 10+ years, only one grower friendly' items. ($ ;dj[h oekh Ki[hdWc[ WdZ FWiimehZ$
has ever made contact over an SDS
that was not current. It must be Currently, if you were to open )$ ?\ oek [nf[h_[dY[ Wdo Z_\\_Ykbj_[i _d
remembered that there is a legal the Disease section of the l_i_j_d] j^[ i_j[" eh _\ oek Wh[ kdikh[
requirement for the pesticide supplier knowledge base, there are 29 e\ oekh be]_d Z[jW_bi" fb[Wi[ YedjWYj
to provide an SDS if they sell the items listed in recommended 9^h_i Hemb[o ò
product. Farms are also expected reading in the Trichoderma green Y^h_i$hemb[o6efjkid[j$Yec$Wk ò eh
to have the current SDS of all mould section, 14 items listed in @kZo 7bbWd # `kZoWbbWd6X_]fedZ$Yec$
pesticides used, and this requirement the virus section, 21 items listed
is checked during QA audits. These in the Dry Bubble section and
considerations concluded that there 13 items listed in the Cobweb
is little or no evidence there will be section. This is just one of the
a gap when the SDS information is sections of the site, so there
removed from AGORA. is plenty of reading material
available on relevant topics.
A new information package published
in February 2012 provides easy-to-use GAINING ASSISTANCE
summary tables of pesticides, their
target and registered use patterns. What should I do if I can't find what I Fb[Wi[ dej[ j^Wj m^_b[ j^_i i_j[ _i
am looking for? WYY[ii_Xb[ ed ceX_b[ Z[l_Y[i" _j _i ceh[
PRODUCT LABELS
If you are looking for something [Wi_bo l_[m[Z ed W Z[iajef eh bWfjef
Will labels of registered pesticides specific but can't find it, please Yecfkj[h$
continue to be kept on AGORA? contact the project team (either
Warwick or Judy) directly using Warwick Gill | Project Leader
Labels of registered pesticides are the details at the end of this
straightforward to source via the article.
APVMA website, and they continue to
be kept on AGORA. If you are interested in the topic, M: 0417 766 588
there is a good chance they might E: [email protected]
The pesticide scene is very already have some background papers
dynamic globally, with companies and information available or be able Judy Allan | Pest & Disease Service
consolidating, companies making to help search it out on the internet P: 02 6767 1057
decisions to remove products from or via international connections.
the market or products becoming
unavailable because key ingredients E: [email protected]
are not available. Everyone in the
industry is dealing with this operating
climate. At certain times, there will be
labels of products on AGORA that are
unavailable and cannot be purchased.

Anyone requiring assistance is
encouraged to make contact with
the project team to help select an
alternate product.

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 31

Helping Growers Maximise
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A Combination of High Yields,

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TUSCAN™ 820

Patent Pending sylvaninc.com

32 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 33

MODERN MUSHR M

CDOEVMEPLOOPSMTIENNTGS: Part 3

Geoff Martin drivers, raw material shortages, required for compost to reach the
regulatory changes and latterly point at which it could be spawned.
Dr Mush Advisory environmentalism. Let’s take a look Additionally, the faster composting
at some of the major way points process avoided the excessive loss
Where does the journey, which has along this fascinating composting of dry matter common with longer
led to the composting techniques we journey, the growers and especially composting schedules. These changes
are all familiar with today, begin? The the researchers who influenced and occurred at a time when the growth
1930s, when commercial mushroom shaped its course. of the industry and the advent of
growing was in its infancy in the motor vehicles was creating a serious
United States and Europe, is perhaps THE AMERICAN INFLUENCE: shortage of horse manure.
as good a place as any to start. PHASE 2 COMPOSTING
SPAWN
Imagine a time when each grower Early mushroom industry researchers,
made compost from straight horse based in Pennsylvania, such as Dr If there is one mushroom researcher
manure laid down in long ‘A’ shaped Edmund B Lambert of the United and extension worker whose advances
piles, laboriously turned by hand over States Bureau of Plant Industry and in spawn production, compost making,
many weeks until all the ammonia in Dr James W Sinden of Penn State growing, disease management
the pile had gone; following which College had a major part to play in and mechanisation have had the
the compost was loaded into wooden the development of the composting most lasting influence upon the
boxes, or made into ridge beds on the process during the rapid expansion of development of our industry then
ground, with spawn, propagated on the United States mushroom industry it has to be those advocated by Dr
horse manure, then sprinkled over the in the 1930s and 40s. James Sinden.
top of the compost.
Lambert’s studies of compost taken First in the 1930s, he patented the
Now, fast forward ninety years and from different temperature zones glass jar method for making spawn
modern mushroom growers receive found in the traditional outdoor ‘A’ propagated on cereal grain. Up until
completely colonised supplemented shaped composting ricks paved the this time commercially produced
Phase 3 compost. The substrate is way for the development of the spawn had been supplied to growers
now supplied either in bulk or in Phase 2 system of pasteurisation on sterilised horse manure packed
20kg shrink wrapped blocks ready and conditioning. He discovered that into quart glass milk bottles; these
for casing, sourced in the main from compost taken from zones in the A had to be smashed to extract the
specialised custom compost makers pile where the temperature was in material which was then sprinkled on
who use under aerated bunkers and the 45 to 55oC range, was free of top of the prepared compost. Grain
bulk composting tunnels in facilities ammonia, yielded more mushrooms, spawn was cheaper to produce and
equipped with the latest mechanical and had less competitor moulds, than had the added advantage that it was
handling equipment. compost from the cooler or hotter easier to handle, no more smashed
zones of the pile. glass bottles; it could be metered on
What a contrast from the industry’s to the surface and incorporated by
early beginnings; if the early This was a major breakthrough, which hand more easily into the top two
commercial growers could see the over time led to the differentiation inches of the compost.
advances that have been made in of the composting process into the
composting and the mushroom yields outdoor Phase 1 high temperature The grain was also a more nutritive
achieved today, they would be truly phase, followed by the indoor medium and the resulting mycelium
amazed! As in most stories, the temperature controlled Phase 2, with was more vigorous and colonised the
breakthroughs which lead to improved compost loaded onto wooden shelving compost faster than horse manure
and more efficient composting in ‘American Double’ growing rooms. spawn. Today, other than improved
over time were a combination mechanisation, inoculation systems,
of chance events, empiricism, The realisation that ammonia handling techniques and the final
observation, dogged research, in cleared rapidly in the compost at a packaging, the basics underlying the
turn heavily influenced by financial specific temperature range was a production of cereal grain spawn
vital discovery in reducing the time remain as first advocated by Sinden
almost 90 years ago.

34 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Modern Mushroom Developments: Composting

SYNTHETIC COMPOSTS

Through the 1930s and 40s, Sinden,
in collaboration with Lambert, was
instrumental in the development
of synthetic mushroom composts.
Shortages of horse manure were
the catalyst for this line of research
and the synthetic composts were
initially intended to be blended with
horse manure to stretch supplies
further, but it was acknowledged that
ultimately the synthetic element could
be used as a ‘stand-alone’ compost.

The synthetic composts of that era Sinden Hauser Phase 1 Ricks. Hauser operation in Gossau, where
used wheaten straw as the base. the traditional short composting
Initially, inorganic sources of nitrogen handling the square ricks, and more method and the three-zone wooden
were used to balance the C:N ratio of modern versions are still being tray system of growing was still in
the mix, but then attention turned used on many Phase 1 composting operation. I was very fortunate indeed
to organic sources, such as brewer’s operations today. Together with the to be able to spend some time with Dr
grains, spent malting barley from short composting system, Sinden Sinden, who was passing the summer
beer making, and finally to poultry developed the three-zone wooden months vacationing in Gossau. By
manure. In essence, the raw materials tray system for Phase 2 composting, then he was well into his 80s, but still
on which the synthetic composts are spawn running and growing, as well extremely acute.
based today remain the same as those as the mechanised traylines which
used in the 1940s. automated handling of compost, I was able to talk at length with
spawning, casing, growing, cookout Dr Sinden, accompany him around
Arguably, there have been major and emptying. the composting yard and growing
refinements to the characteristics of rooms; a man with such a depth of
the cultivars of wheat grown today The Hauser mushroom farm in Gossau knowledge, who had exerted such
and poultry manure has changed near Zurich, Switzerland, became the an influence upon the international
substantially over many decades as ‘Mecca’ of the mushroom industry mushroom industry and whose
a result of feed modifications. While in the 1950s and 60s, with many developments are still relied
this has impacted on the composting growers visiting and adopting the upon today. Sinden was truly the
process, nonetheless cereal straw short method of composting on their ‘Godfather’ of the modern mushroom
remains the primary carbohydrate operations. industry, his legacy lives on.
source and poultry manure the
primary nitrogen source for synthetic The tray growing system developed by SUPPLEMENTATION
mushroom compost ninety years Sinden has had an enormous influence
later. It’s perhaps ironic that in on the industry worldwide for many Before leaving the United States
Pennsylvania, the very birthplace of decades, although perhaps not so to embark on the next stage of
synthetic compost, that horse manure much in his native Pennsylvania, the composting journey and focus
and hay formulations are, for the where the hand filled American attention on European influences,
moment, still the mainstay of compost doubles prevailed. Even today, in the mention must be made of Dr Lee
makers in that region today. modern era of Dutch shelf style farms, Schisler. Conducted at Penn State,
wooden trays are still to be found Schisler’s research into the influence
THE SHORT COMPOSTING in use on mushroom operations in of vegetable oils and fatty acids
METHOD Australia and many other countries. added as supplements at spawning
and casing to increase mushroom
One of the biggest composting Sinden and Hauser’s paper on short yields laid the groundwork for the
developments arose in the early 1950s composting was first published protein-based supplements used
from work conducted by Sinden and in 1950 and it is still well worth today.
Hauser; this was the short method of a re-read, as it highlights the
composting. For Phase 1, this involved fundamentals of composting, which Schisler worked initially with Sinden
laying down long square ricks six are as relevant today as they were and they jointly published a paper
feet wide by six feet high. Unlike the when the paper was first written. in 1966 describing research into the
traditional A shaped piles the square In 1985, I spent three weeks at the use of vegetable oils at casing which
ricks resulted in a greater proportion
of the compost being held in the
optimum temperature range for Phase
1 composting and reduced the time
needed considerably.

Sinden also designed the compost
turning machine specifically for

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 35

Under-aerated Phase 1 Bunkers with overhead gantry filling system. improved mushroom yields. Schisler
and his collaborators, in the 1960s
The Dutch Solution - Slatted Floor Tunnel Complex for Horse Manure based Phase 1 and 70s, first observed the influence
Compost. of different fatty acids, especially
linoleic acid, on mushroom yields.

In time, they moved their attention
to the use of peanut and soyabean
meals, rich in esters of linoleic acid,
denatured with formalin, as a more
manageable form of supplementation.
Modern supplements, now almost
exclusively added at casing, are
regarded as a provider of additional
protein for mushroom mycelium.
From my perspective, I think we
have lost sight of Schisler’s early
observations, that it is the fatty acids
and their esters that soya-based
supplements contain, which hold the
key to enhanced mannitol production
in mycelium which in turn increases
mushroom yield.

THE ITALIAN INFLUENCE:
UNDER-AERATION

Although readers can be forgiven
for thinking that it was the Dutch
who initially pioneered the use of
bulk tunnels for Phase 2 compost
production, the credit must be given
to the Italians, Derks, Giordani and
Francescutti. This trio’s early work
in the 1970s, in Northern Italy, used
enclosed tunnels with under-aeration
for the complete composting process.
The system generated much interest
particularly for Phase 2, which led
to the worldwide adoption in the
late 1970s and 1980s of the bulk
tunnel system of pasteurisation and
conditioning of compost.

This Italian group also had a major
influence upon the whole indoor
composting scene for their work
encompassing the under aeration
of the Phase 1 composting process.
Unfortunately, Derk’s 3-Phase-1
composting system, with the compost
remaining in situ throughout, was
problematic as the high temperatures
experienced in the initial stages
meant there was limited inoculum to
complete an effective Phase 2.

However, the Italian group’s early
experiments piqued the interest
of Laborde in France. Since the
1960s Laborde had worked on
rapid composting systems and was
instrumental in driving the French
industry’s widespread uptake of Phase
2 in bulk tunnels.

36 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

In the Netherlands, Gerrits vociferous residential campaigns Brothers, moved their Phase 1
championed the bulk tunnel Phase 2 against compost makers located on operations indoors to respond to the
cause. Of particular note is Gerrit’s the peri-urban fringes of cities. In regulatory threats.
1970s work to determine the optimum many instances poor planning of
conditions, temperature regimes, residential developments had led to THE AUSTRALIAN
air volume and time required for housing encroaching on composting INFLUENCE: UNDER-
pasteurisation and conditioning. operations which had previously AERATED BUNKERS WITH
This work was carried out in small enjoyed a rural setting. SPIGOT FLOORS
purpose-built tunnels at the Dutch
Mushroom Research Station and the In the 1970s and 80s, it was common As always, necessity is the mother
results led to the rapid uptake, in the practice in Europe and the UK of invention. Just as in the 1950s
Netherlands and countless countries to deliberately create anaerobic Hauser’s Gossau plant in Switzerland
beyond, of Phase 2 composting in bulk conditions for a period of time during became the mushroom Mecca for
tunnels and to a lesser extent bulk the early part of the composting growers anxious to see the Sinden/
tunnel Phase 3 spawn running too. process. At the Dutch CNC’s Milsbeek Hauser short Phase 1 composting
operation, horse manure mixed with system, for compost makers facing
Phase 2 compost from bulk tunnels poultry manure was wetted up and environmental issues in the 1980s
gave a significant increase in yield deliberately driven over by front and 90s, Italy became the ‘go-to
of smooth white, off-white and the end loader to compress the material country’ to view Phase 1 composting
chestnut strains of mushrooms being and create the desired anaerobic in tunnels. Francescutti’s Agrifung
grown at the time, compared with conditions in flat piles which were operation in northern Italy became
Phase 2 compost from the traditional subsequently formed up into the benchmark operation and ideas
wooden tray or Dutch shelf one zone traditional Phase 1 ricks. The stench gleaned from this composting facility
systems in use then. when this material was subsequently formed the basis for subsequent
moved had to be experienced to developments in Australia and New
ENVIRONMENTALISM appreciate how rank it was. Zealand.

Grass roots ‘hippie’ style In the late 1980s ammonia release Using a slatted floor tunnel Phase 1
environmental groups were active and odours from large composting system was not without its logistical
throughout the western world in the operations in the Netherlands became issues in terms of compost loading
1960s and 1970s however it was only a major reputational risk factor for and unloading. In 1989 Rob Tolson at
in the 1980s and the early 1990s that these companies. A rapid response his Elf Mulgrave operation designed
environmentally friendly governments, was necessary and the two large and built the very first Phase 1
in Europe, Canada, then latterly Dutch operators, CNC and Theeuwen
Australia and New Zealand, turned
attention to broader environmental
concerns.

Emissions from coal fired power
stations and heavy industry in
Europe in the 1980s, caused acid rain
which led to vast acreage of trees
in Scandinavia dying out. A flurry of
EEC directives regarding air quality,
especially in regard to ammonia,
sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides levels
as well as transboundary issues and
global atmospheric pollution were
promulgated throughout the 1980s.

Of course, the mushroom industry
was caught up in the general furore
at this time, particularly the large
Dutch composting operations
adjacent to West Germany. UK
and Irish operations were also
targeted by vociferous articulate
residential groups who had put up
with composting odours for years
and these groups used the changing
political environmental scene to make
their concerns known.

By the 1990s an increasing awareness First Under-aerated Phase 1 Bunker. Andre Sarazin, Northern France (1947).
of environmental issues in Australia,
New Zealand and Canada led to

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 37

system using an aerated floor; a high
pressure backward curved centrifugal
fan supplied air to the compost by
means of 12mm holes drilled through
the concrete on a 400mm x 400mm
matrix into a system of buried 160
mm pipes. The Phase 1 compost
produced on the aerated floor was of
excellent quality.

To enable the system to be marketed
commercially, a plastic nozzle, which
could be glued onto 160 mm pvc
pipes, was subsequently designed.
The considerable cost of development
and manufacture of the extrusion
moulding was borne by Elf and three
other composting operations. The ‘Air
Down Under’ spigot floor system of
composting was born!

Such was the international interest Indoor Composting. An Early Attempt Using Traditional Phase 1 Ricks.
in the under aerated Phase 1
developments in the Hawkesbury, that Environment Court because of The trials were deemed successful in
two joint AMGA/ISMS International odour issues. In 1995, the company reducing odour.
Workshop-Seminars on Agaricus relocated its activities to its present
Compost were organised and held in site in Singleton in the Hunter Valley The NZ Environmental Resource
Australia, the first in 1990 and the and in 1998 commissioned two open Management Bill was passed into
second in 1993. The attendees at topped Phase 1 bunkers again using law in October 1991 and Meadow
the workshops were a world class the high pressure ‘Air Down Under’ was given three years grace to find
group of leading compost makers and spigot floor system. another location for compost making.
influential researchers of the time. Roger Giles, Meadow’s co-owner
Papers were presented and discussion Over in New Zealand, Meadow purchased land at Norwood 45km to
groups held. With so many compost Mushrooms, based in the village of the south-east of the existing site for
operations throughout the western Prebbleton, west of Christchurch, a new yard in 1992 and a facility with
world facing potential closure on started to come under severe three low pressure open topped ‘Air
account of an increasingly onerous environmental pressure in the early Down Under’ spigot floor bunkers and
regulatory environment, this was an 1980s from residents who were being associated under-aerated ricks was
important period in history for the subjected to odour from a 500 tonne commissioned in 1995.
Australian mushroom industry. Phase 1 composting yard literally 100
metres from their homes. COMPOSTING: MY
International compost workshop RECOLLECTIONS
delegates were obviously impressed After an ANZAC expedition to the
with the developments they saw Francescutti farm in Italy, Rogers In 1982 I started my mushroom career
because the high pressure ‘Air Down Giles, Meadow’s co-owner, built an at Middlebrook Mushrooms in Selby
Under’ spigot floor Phase 1 bunker experimental 100 tonne spigot floor North Yorkshire. At this time the
system was adopted by compost tunnel with the intention of trialling majority of UK growers were firmly
makers worldwide. The Dutch a combined Phase 1 and 2 compost, wedded to the traditional Phase 2
‘turnkey’ construction operators have using Derk’s ill-fated 3-Phase-1 wooden tray peak heating system of
built Phase 1 bunker systems in many system; this unfortunately failed to pasteurisation and conditioning.
countries throughout the world; the produce the desired high yielding
original concept and design is being compost. The tunnel was built with a However, Paul Middlebrook was a
used virtually unchanged some thirty low-pressure fan to accommodate the very early adopter of the Dutch Phase
years on; the ‘Air Down Under’ system higher volume of air needed during 2 tunnel and Dutch shelf growing
is a ‘true blue’ Australian innovation. the Phase 2 component of the process system. We made two types of
and the tunnel was subsequently compost, a full horse manure compost
Elf came under increasing used to trial Phase 1 compost only. and a 50:50 horse manure: synthetic
environmental pressure in the mid-
1990s, and a series of enclosed Phase
1 under-aerated bunkers were built at
the Mulgrave operation using the ‘Air
Down Under’ spigot floor system.

Mushroom Composters operation,
at Ebenezer in the Hawkesbury,
was closed down by the Land and

38 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

wheaten straw compost. The which the synthetic material was farm I managed at Kyalami, north
methodology followed was virtually blended with the horse manure of Johannesburg was also equipped
straight out of the CNC handbook. fraction and the whole mix again with Phase 2 tunnels, built in 1978
Fresh horse manure was blended with subjected to the anaerobic process. by a forward-thinking management,
poultry manure and subjected to a Then a six-day Phase 1 in traditional who had visited the Netherlands and
six-day period of wetting to excess ricks with under-aeration. What was brought the technology back to the
with recycled water in a low heap amazing is that within a 24-hour Republic. At the Kyalami operation,
under roof, to produce an anaerobic period the yellow anaerobic compost it was just like Middlebrooks, we
pre-wetting stage. had turned completely black, with made a 50:50 horse manure:synthetic
gypsum added three days out prior to compost, but without the anaerobic
If the compost didn’t turn yellow or filling into Phase 2. pre-wet.
orange during this period Paul was
not happy. If anything, it taught me The Phase 2 regime strictly followed All the other Denny farms had
not to be afraid of anaerobic material, that developed by Gerrits in the traditional wooden tray peak heat
after all the Dutch mushroom industry Netherlands. Unlike today, there systems. Unlike most other compost
flourished on compost made in this was virtually no levelling stage; just makers I learned my trade on Phase
fashion for many years, before straight into heat up and a quick kill, 2 Dutch tunnels and latterly moved
environmental considerations put paid with the compost being held at 60oC back in time on to the traditional
to anaerobic materials. for eight hours. The conditioning wooden tray peak heat system when
phase was conducted at a high I managed older farms in South Africa
For the synthetic fraction, straw was temperature, normally 50oC. and New Zealand.
supplied to the operation in 20kg
bales, so wetting up had to be done The work published by Ross and I started at Denny Mushrooms as
in a heap of loose material, with Harris in 1982, which indicated Technical Manager and then became
the strings cut off on the truck and that ammonia cleared best at a Technical Director. This was an
material kicked off. Wetting was temperature of 46oC and that was exciting time in the company's
achieved by means of sprinklers using optimum for a well finished Phase development when over a period of
recycled water. 2 compost, was yet to be widely six years, in the face of international
accepted, indeed at the time it sanctions, the company replaced
Large 8x4x4 and round balers were wasn’t accepted by the UK industry its eight run down wooden tray
just starting to arrive on the at all! Today, I hope we know better. operations with three state of the
agricultural scene around this time. Perhaps the biggest difference in art Dutch shelf farms. These farms
These balers would eventually the management of Phase 2 tunnels were located one each in the main
revolutionise handling in the paddock, compared with today, was the filling centres of Cape Town, Johannesburg
make for more cost-effective height, 1.8 metres at best. Who and Durban, in total growing 170
transport, allow bale wetting in situ would have thought that nearly forty tonnes of mushrooms per week. The
and the almost universal use of bale years later compost makers would final farm was built to the north-
breaking lines on large compost yards be pushing the Phase 2 filling height west of Durban, in the middle of a
worldwide. envelope to three metres plus! sugar cane field, with state of the
art Phase 2 and 3 tunnels. The bulk
The straw was moved several times My mushroom journey then took of the equipment was sourced and
over a six-day period and poultry me to Denny Mushrooms in South manufactured in the Republic.
manure blended through, following Africa, and believe it or not, the first
While working for Denny Mushrooms,
Modern Day Bale Breaking and Blending Line. I was very fortunate to be able to
travel widely in Europe and visited
several composting facilities during
the period the mushroom industry
was facing severe environmental
issues in the late 1980s. I visited
the Kuhn farm in Switzerland with
its automated indoor composting
facility, its robotic controlled crane
used to mix compost, the fixed Phase
1 turning machines and ricks on
moveable platforms all operated by
one operator at a control desk in an
air-conditioned room!

What should be remembered is, ‘There
is really nothing new under the sun’
as in 1947, Sarazin in Northern France
was the first grower to make Phase 1
compost in an under-aerated bunker
equipped with a grab.

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 39

When the European industry was Brothers in the Netherlands. technology from Europe to Africa. In
coming to terms with the gathering essence we built a combined 20 tonne
environmental storm, rapid action 3. Use the high pressure under- capacity Phase 1/2 tunnel using the
was necessary. Obviously the first aerated spigot floor bunker systems developed in the Netherlands,
issue was to bring all activities into developed in Australia for Phase to negate odour from operations using
an indoor setting, under a roof, and 1, either closed or open, blowing recirculating air.
equip facilities with the necessary ambient air through the compost
air changes such that staff were at levels dependent upon the bulk In week one, a synthetic compost of
not subjected to dangerous odours of the compost temperature. straw and poultry manure, which had
and ammonia concentrations. The undergone a six-day mesophilic phase
next step was to equip plants with What has become apparent is that outside, was loaded via a hand turning
effective odour treatment systems methods two and three above aid machine into a slatted floor tunnel for
to scrub ammonia from exhaust air, in the preservation of dry matter in Phase 1. The tunnel’s two-speed fan,
remove sulphurous compounds and the compost and if properly managed with recirculation, was set at a rate
finally pass exhaust air through a produce a predictable high yielding of 50m3 of air/hour/tonne compost
suitable bio-filter. compost week in week out. Even if with a whisp of fresh air sufficient to
environmental issues are not critical, maintain a bottom temperature circa
Worldwide I have observed three main the spin off in the development of 49oC, while allowing temperatures
systems in relation to the Phase 1 these systems has led to improved above 80oC to be achieved at the top of
process: Phase 1 compost on many operations the compost.
worldwide. The use of bunkers for
1. Move pre-wetting areas and Phase 1 composting has also led to After six days the tunnel was emptied
traditional under aerated ricks the development of improved filling by hand, left in a lump over-night
under cover with sufficient and handling machinery for this to re-anastomose and then reloaded
air changes to make working process. back through the hand turner into
conditions bearable. the tunnel for Phase 2 on a higher
In closing I can recount one final fan setting which gave the required
2. Use traditional Dutch tunnels for experience from my time in Botswana, 150m3+ of air/hour/tonne compost.
Phase 1, using specialised pulling where I owned a small bag farm, Oryx
nets capable of withstanding Mushrooms, with my father-in-law After levelling, pasteurisation and
temperatures in excess of 80oC. in the early/mid 1990s. We filled conditioning, the compost was cooled,
Recirculating a minimal volume of the farm once a fortnight, buying in spawned and loaded into bags. I must
air usually in the order of 50m3/ Phase 2 compost from South Africa, say it was a very labour-intensive
hour/tonne compost with added which was not a very hygienic or cost- process which worked well in the
fresh air to maintain an oxygen effective process. African situation and the resulting
level of 8-10% in the compost compost gave yields, growing a
and holding the base of the tunnel Thanks to the help of Jim Dicks, I mid-range hybrid, in excess of 25kg/
around 49oC. This was the system was able to obtain a grant from the m2 mushrooms, under somewhat
adopted by CNC and Pleunis EEC to transfer Phase 1 mushroom primitive conditions.

Our story has almost come full circle
from hand turning compost in the
1930s in the US under primitive
conditions, with but limited
knowledge of the composting process,
to hand loading tunnels in Africa in
the 1990s, again under primitive
conditions, but this time with a real
understanding of the composting
process.

Next time, in the final of this
modern development series I
will discuss advances in growing
room environmental control and
mechanisation, the final piece in the
puzzle.

Andy Nesbit and Roddy Cairns of Denny Mushrooms in South Africa with a Dr Geoff Martin | Dr Mush Advisory
Preserved Compost Hand Turning Machine. M: 0415 542 301
E: [email protected]
40 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021

EIS-MCOSNGRESS UPDATE

The International Society for (oral) presentation including E-CONGRESS OVERVIEW
Mushroom Science (ISMS) e-Congress the PowerPoint (PPT) used, or
will be held online from 14-17 poster. The e-Congress will be held online
September 2021. • 24 May – Closing date for each day from 12:00 UTC (GMT) to
RSVP from authors (videos 14:30 from Tuesday 14 until Friday 17
The next live ISMS Congress will be and posters). RSVP must be September 2021.
held in 2024 at a venue to be advised. accompanied by an e-Congress
registration receipt. Each day will begin with a 30-minute
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS • 18 June – Closing date for plenary session presentation on
video presentations and PPTs; a topic of significant scientific
Abstracts for a presentation or poster and posters. or industry interest. The day will
can now be submitted online at the • 23 July – Review of continue with two to three 2-hour
following address: https://isms2021. presentations completed. Any concurrent sessions depending on the
exordo.com/login changes required notified to number of abstracts to be presented
presenters. in each topic area.
The closing date for abstracts is 15 • 6 August – Closing date for
April 2021. amended presentations. For those registered to attend, but
• 8,9,10,13 September – unable to make it to the live sessions,
A large volume of extracts is expected rehearsals for presenters, they will be recorded and made
and the submission chairs and hosts. available for viewing online after the
system will not accept abstracts after • 14 -17 September - e-Congress event.
the closing date. goes live.
REGISTRATIONS OPEN 20
The timetable for authors is: PROVISIONAL PROGRAM APRIL

• 8 March – Abstract submissions The indicative topic/sessions selected e-Congress registrations and fee
open online. for the e-Congress are: payments for both authors and
delegates will occur directly on the
• 15 April – Abstract submissions Genetics and Breeding; Substrate, new ISMS website. The opening of
close. composting and Casing; Nutrition, registrations is scheduled to coincide
Bioactive Compounds, Medicinal with the launch date for the new
• 16 April – Review of abstracts Aspects; Mycorrhiza; Germplasm website on 20 April 2021.
begins. and Taxonomy; Pests and Diseases;
Molecular Biology and Genetics; Dr John Pecchia | Chair
• 20 April – e-Congress Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Scientific Committee
registrations open on ISMS Marketing and Consumer Research;
website. and Training, Outreach (extension), E: [email protected]
and Industry Development. E: [email protected]
• 14 May – Reviews of abstracts
completed.

• 17 May – Invitations sent to
authors to make either video

Machinery BEING TREATED AS A NUMBER
Climate
NUMBER

Nijverheidsstraat 2a Supplies
5961 PJ Horst
The Netherlands Engineering
T + 31 77 398 39 29
[email protected] Mushrooms Exotics Compost
www.mushcomb.com

PROUD PARTNER OF
MUSHROOM VALLEY

ISMS E-Congress Update Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 41

MEMEETMTBHEER

Steven Willemse AS A STUDENT, WHAT DID as production manager and I then
YOU WANT TO DO OR BE started up SJW Mushrooms Pty Ltd.
SJW Mushrooms AFTER YOUR SCHOOLING? Starting my own farm was the best
I wanted to be a chiropractor as I was thing I have ever done. My son Rhys
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU always told I had healing hands. runs our Chevallum farm and is a 3rd
BEEN IN MUSHROOMS? generation grower.
WHAT WAS THE MOST
I was born into mushrooms 52 years SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN YOUR WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST
ago but 37 full time. My parents Peter WHOLE CAREER SO FAR? THING YOU HAVE EVER
Sr. and Leny Willemse immigrated For most of my life I felt like I was DONE?
from the Netherlands to Brisbane invisible. Being the youngest of
in 1957. Dad had worked at a eight kids on a family farm, I felt I Parachuting and bungy jumping in
mushroom farm in Holland and was never recognised for growing New Zealand.
decided to start up Queensland between 65- 75 ton per week and
Mushrooms in Rochedale, for my contributions to the farm. My DO YOU HAVE A
Brisbane. brothers got all the accolades. When NICKNAME AND IF SO
our family sold out to Costa, I finally WHAT IS IT AND WHY?
WHAT IS MOST got to stand on my own two feet
DIFFICULT TASK In school it was Willow, short
YOU HAVE HAD TO for Willemse.
UNDERTAKE WHILE IN
MUSHROOMS? WHAT IS YOUR
FAVOURITE MOVIE?
My father passed away on my
10th birthday. My brothers had I don’t really have a favorite
to give up school and started movie but I’m a big fan of the Big
working full time on the farm. I Bang Theory. I could watch that
worked after school and on weekends. show all day.
It was a tough time on us all. We had
to grow up very fast. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE
MEAL?
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST
STRENGTH / TALENT? Anything my wife cooks, I have a
saying, if it tastes good, I will eat it.
To solve problems fast, develop new
ways to do things and I can also work WHAT IS THE BEST LIFE
under pressure. ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN
GIVEN?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE
PASTIME? Don’t worry about something that
hasn’t happened yet. Work hard when
I love motor racing, if it has an engine you are young so you can reap the
and wheels I will watch it. I also enjoy rewards when you get older.
jet skiing and spending time with my
family.

42 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Meet The AMGA Member

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR
POSITION IN THE BUSINESS?

I’m the owner and director and
oversee all areas of mushroom
growing. I have the right people in
the right places and my job is to make
sure everything runs smoothly. My
position is to keep everybody focused
and develop any new systems to
improve efficiencies.

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF
YOUR FAILURES, AND WHAT
HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM
THEM?

My biggest failure would be not being
able to get the finance to build a
new farm and compost yard to bring
the Willemse name back to being the
biggest and best farm with everything
on one site in Queensland. It was a
title we always held until Queensland
Mushrooms was sold to Costa. I’ll try
again once things settle down with
the fallout from the banking royal
commission.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

The perfect mushroom crop. I
thoroughly enjoy being told by
customers that they buy our
mushrooms because they are the best.

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR
GREATEST INSPIRATION?

My parents coming from Holland
to Australia by ship, is to me
inspirational. Mum was pregnant
with twins at the time and spent six
weeks on the water, and when they
arrived Dad was working two jobs
until they started their own farm with
eight kids to feed. Most importantly
for me however has been watching
my two kids grow into respectable,
hard working adults. Plus, I have a
beautiful grandson now.

WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF
ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE
TO OTHERS HOPING FOR A
SUCCESSFUL CAREER?

Love your job so you never
have to work a day in your life.
I love mushroom farming as it
keeps the mind active and there is
always some machinery to drive.

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 43

HORRTOIUNNNODVUATPION

EVALUATION REVEALS R&D ANNUAL INVESTMENT PLANS STATISTICS HANDBOOK
VALUE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE

An evaluation of Hort Innovation’s Annual Investment Plans (AIPs) The latest Horticulture Statistics
research and development detailing how levy funds will be Handbook – offering the most
investments in late 2020 has spent over a 12-month period are comprehensive and contemporary
demonstrated an average benefit- now available on the Hort Innovation data available on all sectors of the
cost ratio of 3.4 to 1 achieved across website. Australian horticulture industry in
sample projects, projected to generate one easy-to-read guide – is now
an estimated total net present value The investment decisions are guided available.
of some $40.5 million over 30 years. by industry Strategic Investment
Plans (SIPs) and prioritised based on The Handbook produced by Hort
Hort Innovation outlined that half potential industry impact, as well as Innovation features information
of the projects’ identified benefits the availability of levy funds. drawn from several supply chain
were social impacts, such as increased sources, including international trade
skills among growers and researchers, Each AIP was developed by Hort statistics and industry peak bodies.
cohesiveness within industries and Innovation, informed by the SIP
value chains, and improved well-being and industry consultation, and then The information is also mobile phone
in regional communities. discussed with the industry Strategic compatible, allowing users to access
Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) for the data anywhere, anytime. An
Economic benefits such as reduced feedback and prioritisation. extract of the Mushroom Industry
crop loss, increased market access, section of the report can be viewed
and improved on-farm decision making The majority of AIPs are now HERE.
comprised 41% of the benefits, and available on the industry-specific
9% of impacts were environmental Fund Management pages on the Hort HARPS QUESTIONS
benefits, such as increased adoption Innovation website, with just a few ANSWERED
of best management practices remaining AIPs currently with their
and reduced waste disposal. relevant SIAP for final feedback. Hort Innovation has developed
a frequently asked questions
The assessment was conducted You can find these pages at www. document for growers concerning the
by independent consultants from horticulture.com.au/growers. Harmonised Australian Retailer
AgEconPlus and Agtrans and examined
a random sample of 15 investments
completed in 2018/19 representing
the overall R&D portfolio.

No mushroom fund projects were
included in this evaluation, although
they were included in the previous
year’s study.

The sample was considered
representative of the investment in
Hort Innovation’s overall research
and development portfolio, with the
impacts and aggregate investment
criteria estimated to indicate impacts
and performance across the broader
suite of research and development
undertaken by Hort Innovation.

To access the detailed evaluation
report visit the website - http://bit.
ly/evaluation-report-2020

44 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Hort Innovation Roundup

Produce Scheme (HARPS), with FSANZ and a strategy to disseminate The resources will help teachers and
detailed information on the the mushroom and heart health claim parents teach kids how their mood
background of the program and HARPS with health professional influencers can be impacted by food and what
version 2.0. The FAQ document is and key opinion leaders. else they can do to boost their well-
available on the Hort Innovation being, including spending time in
website. This investment opportunity will align green spaces and gardening.
with the current consumer marketing
NEW PROJECT PROPOSAL program to ensure messaging The package includes:
is consistent, and each program
Hort Innovation has released a Request leverages off each other to drive • A fully animated video episode
for Proposal (RFP) for demand. called a ‘webisode’ (voiced by
a three-year levy-funded project titled comedian Matt Okine and Little
- MU20001 - Mushrooms as a Further information on this project Lunch star Madison Lu) with a
cholesterol-lowering food. will be made available in upcoming specially composed song to gain
editions and through the Industry kids’ hearts and minds
The project has been designed to Update e-newsletter.
assist in the promotion of the health • Three animated ‘Nomcast’ audio
properties of mushrooms. HELPING KIDS EXPLORE podcast episodes
FOOD
A recent finding identified that • Four PDF resources including
mushrooms contain up to four times Hort Innovation’s Phenomenom project lesson plans designed for teachers
more beta-glucans than oats in dry has launched a free innovative toolkit to pick up and run with in the
weight; however, mushrooms cannot for schools and families called The classroom or set for the remote
make a claim as per the FSANZ Food Good Mood Food Special. learning environment
Standards Code. The aim to increase
mushrooms’ consumption is envisaged The toolkit provides a range of • Posters, classroom prompt cards
to be stimulated by the Food digital resources with Australian and quiz questions designed for
Standards Code, permitting the high- curriculum-aligned lesson plans across the Kahoot platform
level health claim that mushrooms numeracy, literacy, humanities, and
contain high levels of beta-glucan, health, designed to engage children in • A Good Mood Moves wheel
which reduces blood cholesterol. learning through videos, podcasts and encourages teachers to provide
activities, whether in the classroom or regular classroom mood breaks,
This project will deliver a tiered a remote learning environment. using movement in line with
approach to assess the beta-glucan current research to boost
content of fresh mushrooms. If beta- Research into the new resources engagement. It features a
glucan levels are measured to be suggests that nine in ten teachers specially designed interactive
greater than 1g/100g, a clinical trial would like to see more food and wheel that gamifies fruit and
will be considered to develop a high- nutrition teaching resources. vegetables into exercises that
level health claim to present to children benefit from doing
regularly.

The package, wheel and all resources
are available for free online
at Phenomenom.com.au.

More information:

https://phenomenom.com.au/

https://www.horticulture.com.au/

Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 45

INFORMATION

RESOURCES

The levy funded project MU16003 Pest and Disease Management and Research Services produces and distributes a
range of materials on mushroom pest and disease management. The following information provides summaries of
diseases, disorders and advances in research to assist growers and farm staff with on-farm management.

FACT SHEETS

The Fact Sheets are designed to be downloaded and printed as an effective grower resource. As each Fact Sheet is
published an email alert is issued to provide immediate access. To be placed on the email list please contact Judy
Allan: [email protected]

AVAILABLE FACT SHEETS

• Fact Sheet 6 – Lecanicillium fungicola – Dry Bubble disease
http://bit.ly/factsheet-drybubble-6

• Fact Sheet 5 – Getting the best from your cookout
http://bit.ly/factsheet-cookout-5

• Fact Sheet 4 – Cladobotryum spp. – Cobweb disease
http://bit.ly/factsheet-cobweb-4

• Fact Sheet 3 – Penicillium hermansii – Smoky mould
http://bit.ly/factsheet-smokymould-3

• Fact Sheet 2 – Action points to control Sciarid & Phorid flies
http://bit.ly/factsheet-flies-2

• Fact Sheet 1 – Syzygites megalocarpus – Troll doll
http://bit.ly/factsheet-trolldoll-1

LIBRARY

The Library section of the AGORA website contains a range of industry information resources.

The Library includes the Australian Mushrooms Journal and the Industry Update e-newsletter. If you have misplaced your
copy or just want to search though back issues for a particular article then this is a good place to start.

The Technical Reference section has been established as a handy area for those wanting more detailed technical
information. The section is organised under subject headings including Hygiene and Mushroom Quality Issues.

A range of industry videos have been produced and are also available though the Library section of the website. Links to
those videos can also be found on Page 47.

Scientific reports covering all aspects of mushroom research and delivered by the International Society of Mushroom Science
(ISMS) are also available. Through an arrangement with the ISMS, Australian industry participants can access the full ISMS
reports on request. The AGORA site contains a selection of those reports covering a range of topics of interest to industry
participants. This listing will be updated as new information from the upcoming ISMS e-Congress becomes available.

46 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 Information Resources

INDUSTRY
VIDEOS

The Mushroom industry
communication program (MU18001)
works closely with other projects
and industry to produce videos on a
variety of topics. When the videos
are finslised links are sent via the
monthly Industry Update newsletter
and through updates in this Journal.

To view any of the videos below
just enter the link in your website
browser. If you experience any
problems in accessing the videos,
please contact Chris Rowley (chris.
[email protected]).

https://vimeo.com/293851934/ccdad28442

https://vimeo.com/329256032/561c59a65d https://vimeo.com/293852092/7b027af401

https://vimeo.com/293853085/6a15fb8c2a https://vimeo.com/329257664/505eceb63f

Industry Videos Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021 47

48 Australian Mushrooms Journal | Issue 1 -2021