This time ten years back in 2011, JFM were investing heavily in Research and Development.
Alt-energy was the buzz word with growers looking into new energy sources due to the price of oil surging to over $100 a barrel.
In the mix were wind power, ethanol, solar and, of course, woodchip burners - we know now how that ended up.
The European Mushroom Grower’s group GEPC were seeking a renegotiation of prices that had agreed with processors. Stalker also noted that the USA had a National Stuffed Mushroom Day - life is too short.
In 2001 the magazine was looking at Virus X in mushrooms - we now have our own virus X to contend with in Covid. Amycel Delta was the new spawn on the block at the time.
And there was a build up to the introduction of the euro as the new currency in Ireland in 9 months time.
McGeary Controls were on the front page and Sylvan were launching their new spawn 737.
Also in March 2001 the foot and mouth outbreak was just taking off - the searing images from Cumbria of livestock being destroyed is still etched in the memory.
Spooling back ten further years to March 1991 the new spawn being launched back then in Ireland was Le Champion. Dublin was going to be the setting for the ISMS later in that year.
And Jeremy Hanley MP opened the new mushroom research facilities at the Northern Ireland Horticulture and Plant Breeding Station at Loughgall.
Back then the bag system was the predominant mode of production in the industry both North and South.
