With labour shortages potentially threatening some US mushroom production, and old hand was on hand to offer some advice at the 49th Mushroom Industry Conference in Pennsylvania in the early summer.
International mushroom consultant Ray Samp, known as boot scooting Ray to some local mushroom folk, envisioned the labour shortages due to immigration reform currently underway in the US. Some of the proposals he outlined would certainly go down well with workers/ pickers in Ireland too, Stalker is certain.
Improving the working conditions by thoroughly modernising production facilities.
The use of shelf systems with Phase III compost to improve mushroom quality, and the production of mushrooms in brightly illuminated rooms, were some of the ways to ameliorate working conditions on mushroom units.
He also advocated the use of picker assist devices to improve efficiency.
Stalker is sure that there is food for thought there for all mushroom units in Ireland, North and South.
