Swiss and imported mushrooms. The prices charged for Swiss products are about double the price for imports. We cannot expect any support from our politicians, but we do have to comply with conditions such as the imminent ban on the use of peat. Discussions are currently on-going as to whether this ban will come into effect as early as 2030. The VSP also promotes its mushrooms, just like the BDC. The main challenge we face is consumer perception of mushrooms as being a typically autumn product even though we produce them all year round. There is also a scarcity of good labour, our wage levels and energy costs are extremely high compared to other European countries and there is no protection at the border for imports, so imported mushrooms place pressure on the prices for Swiss products. All increases in consumption are accounted for by imported mushrooms.”
Spotlight Following an excellent lunch, as customary at the BDC conference, and a short ‘refreshment break’, the programme continued in the afternoon with a catch-up on developments at Swiss company MycoSense. A previous article in MB 130 already featured this company. Stéphane Doutriaux, who originates from the French-speaking part of the country, gave his presentation in English but also had a Power- Point presentation in German. The CEO of MycoSense spoke on whether simple technology could improve the picking performance. Doutriaux: “I don’t think robots are the answer to mushroom harvesting problems. We are looking for the answer in simpler and, above all, cheaper technology. Our technology can also be implemented immediately at virtually all mushroom farms, without the need for renova- tions or modifications. Spotlight is simply mounted on a bracket on existing equipment used for mushroom harvesting. The device enables pickers to work more efficiently, as the Spotlight indicates precisely which mushrooms need to be harvested. The device sees how the mushrooms grow, increases the picking performance, allows pickers to work optimally and increases their autonomy. New pickers can quickly reach the same level of performance as experienced pickers in a short time. Spotlight has now been installed at farms in some 30 companies worldwide. Two years of experience with Spotlight have taught us that it can increase the picking performance by at least 10%, the harvested mushrooms are more uniform and there is no longer any over picking of mushrooms that are too small so the general yields can also be improved by at least 2%. We have also implemented speed control for a
Geert Wijers of Deckers inspects the Hoving Holland filling hopper.
number of manufacturers of picking platforms. This allows the harvest manager to set a variable speed for a platform based on the number of mushrooms to be harvested.” MycoSense also has another tool with software that offers insight into the entire harvesting process. This is the Mushroom Farm Operating
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The world around us is changing faster than ever. With 100 years of experience we are ready for any challenge. Our high quality substrates ensure that you and your crops are ready for the future. Wondering what we can do for you? Feel free to contact me or one of my colleagues!
The world around us is changing faster than ever. With 100 years of experience we are ready for any challenge. Our high quality substrates ensure that you and your crops are ready for the future. Wondering what we can do for you? Feel free to contact me or one of my colleagues!
+31 (0)88 1717600
sales@legrogroup.com
+31 (0)88 1717600
sales@legrogroup.com
Eric Philipsen Sales | Legro Mushroom Casing Solutions
Eric Philipsen Sales | Legro Mushroom Casing Solutions
www.legrogroup.com
www.legrogroup.com MUSHROOM BUSINESS 13
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