In their 25 years of activities developing control equipment for the agricultural sector, Fancom has established a joint position as worldwide market leader in the mushroom sector. Mushroom growing faculties regulated by Fancom climate computers can be found in all over the globe. The various cultivation techniques are no obstacle.

Fancom in Panningen, the Netherlands, is part of the American CTB Inc, the world’s largest poultry industry supplier and market leader in grain storage in the USA. CTB is, in turn, part of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The fact that Fancom is a link in a chain of owners active in various branches of industry means they can fully exploit this synergy to their advantage. New developments can continuously be implemented to the benefit of the different market segments.

The hot items at the moment are communication and information management. Energy saving to help limit cost prices and optimising control algorithms to achieve high production levels and stable quality are also at the forefront of attention.

Fancom supplies equipment for the preparation of fresh, pasteurised and incubated compost and for various cultivation systems. Fancom's commitment is characterised by the fact that specialised distributors have been appointed in 22 countries worldwide to install the equipment and provide support and service for the local users. Fancom is unique in this approach to the market.

Global cultivation methods

The mushrooms normally grown under Fancom's care are common white button mushrooms. However, their computers are also used to cultivate shii-take, oyster mushrooms enoki-take and several medicinal mushroom varieties. In The Netherlands, hallucinogenic mushrooms are even cultivated on a legal growing facility in a Fancom-controlled climate.  If we examine the major mushroom producing regions over the world, a huge diversity of products and cultivation methods is apparent.

North and South America

In North America and Canada various farms use the single-zone system. All cultivation-related activities ranging from filling the fresh compost in tiered beds up to and including cook out are carried out in the growing room. There are also several multiple-zone farms in America , where trays filled with pasteurised compost are transported to the growing rooms via incubation rooms. The use of incubated compost is however becoming more popular here on many farms. The latest trend is the development of satellite farms, where only further growth of the pinheads and actual harvesting takes place. This system is referred to as Phase IV.

This trend towards Phase IV systems is also on the increase in West and Central Europe. To minimize harvesting costs, picking is done in low-wage regions and attempts are being made to maximize the picking performance. Other trends on the American continent are streamlining compost production processes with bunkers and tunnels.

Fancom is active in South Americain Chilli, Brazil and Mexico. The cultivation methods here generally use pasteurised substrate in shelving. In Mexico in particular, oyster mushrooms are grown by a multitude of small-scale producers. The very low investment levels means this market is not attractive for Fancom. The production of common mushrooms in Mexico is dominated by a few huge enterprises backed up by American finance. Production is increasingly focussed on the local fresh market and export to the USA.

West Europe

In West Europe modern, leading edge companies mainly concentrate on optimising substrate production, cultivation on incubated compost, and cultivating on phase IV compost. The actual cultivation method differs from country to country.

In The Netherlands substrate production and phase IV compost have the highest priority. Incubated compost is used on virtually all growing farms. Oyster mushroom and shii-take cultivation is found on a small scale.

In France the entire industry is struggling with reorganisation. Traditional methods of cultivation in caves are being abandoned and mechanized harvesting systems will have to help the French industry maintain a competitive position.

The majority of mushrooms are grown in trays. After the trays have been filled with pasteurised substrate, they incubate in an incubation area before being transported to the growing rooms. Pinheading and the first flush occur in a fully climate-controlled growing room. Harvesting is increasingly done in central harvesting areas. After the first flush many trays are still taken to caves where further flushes are allowed to develop and are harvested.

In Ireland,the small-scale satellite system is quickly being left behind in favour of cultivation on larger growing facilities. Family-run farms are turning into more professional growing companies.

Cultivation in bags is being replaced by growing in shelves, and using incubated compost. Optimizing substrate quality and environmental regulations have resulted in the construction of bunker systems.

The mushroom growing industry in the UK is characterised by a variety of systems. Most operations are large scale, and use both tray and shelving systems. Improving substrate quality and environmental regulations have forced growers to develop bunker systems. Italy is also typified by large-scale operations.  North-Italy in particular, where both mushrooms and oyster mushrooms are grown, is investing heavily in modern cultivation systems. Incubated compost on shelves is used by growing numbers of companies. Italy is known as the country of the substrate blocks. Filling with bulk compost is on the increase as a wage limiting exercise.

Spain has two, very different growing regions. In the Castilia-La Mancha region there are numerous small family-run farms growing in pasteurised substrate in bags or blocks for the fresh market. Many farms close down during the summer months due to the limited use of climate control systems.

In the Rioja region mushrooms are grown on larger farms mainly for the canning industry. Compost optimization and growing on incubated compost is becoming increasingly important in this region.

In Germany Fancom customers are mainly large companies. Compost production and cultivation systems are the assortment here. Phase IV systems are used to help keep labour costs low.

In Switzerland Fancom controls the climate for the most diverse range of mushrooms. Several large-scale growers, a number of small family-run farms with oyster mushrooms and shii-take and a farm with a variety of exotic edible mushrooms make up the customers.

In Denmark small companies are making way for fewer but bigger companies in the mushroom sector. Common mushrooms are the most important crop. Growers in Norway, Sweden and Finland also use control systems from Panningen.

East Europe

In Central Europe, Poland is the most important buyer. Compost tunnels and growing facilities are fitted out with Dutch equipment. Incubated compost is produced by a few companies, but the majority is pasteurised. Poland is also implementing the phase IV strategy to maintain its advantage of low labour costs.

Hungary is less active than Poland when it comes to reaping all the benefits from optimal mushroom production. Cultivation in caves and bags is still widespread here. Hungary is also known for its production of oyster mushrooms.

Few Russian companies have opted for computerisation yet. The Ukraine is the most advanced in this respect. Small-scale production and lack of financing are however the major obstructions to creating a flourishing industry.

Other continents

In the Far Easta number of Indian projects are controlled by Fancom equipment. Difficult conditions for cultivation, low consumption and Chinese competition have not done growers any favours, which explains why the industry has as yet failed to develop. Certain larger farms produce year-round, and a huge number of small-scale farms in temperate climate zones grow mushrooms in primitive conditions.

Fancom still has to get its feet on the ground in China where the small scale of cultivation makes it difficult to penetrate the market. The millions of producers grow in such simple ways that advanced computerized systems do not appear to be feasible at the moment. It is important to note the staggering number of exotic edibles produced and consumed in China. In Taiwan and Japan enoki-take mushrooms are grown in rooms regulated by Fancom computers. 

Several companies in the Middle East make thankful use of computerised systems. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and Turkey are just a few of these smaller mushroom producers. In Africa the only mushrooms grown under Fancom-controlled conditions are in South-Africa.

Australia and New Zealand also house a number of large scale modern facilities that have invested in climate control equipment. Investments have also been made in compost production and cultivation systems that are kinder to the environment.

Range of products

The summary above shows just how many regional differences there are in production methods and levels of computerization. Fancom's extensive range of products means there is a system to suit every budget and required degree of automatic control. By developing computers suitable for multi-section use the customer can keep within the planned invest figures.

For phase I systems, the 751 fermentation computer can be used to control one or two bunkers and a central air supply or exhaust system. For phase II and III tunnel systems the customer can choose the 750 tunnel computer for one or two tunnels.

There are four versions of climate computers for cultivation systems. The FCF is specially aimed at exotic mushrooms. The 765s climate controller can regulate up to four simple growing rooms. The 765 climate computer can control one or two more extensive growing rooms.

The 765e climate computer has all imaginable energy saving features and options to optimize cultivation. It is the showpiece of the entire range and used in the very latest, modern growing facilities.

If a user chooses the simplest version to start with, more sophisticated versions can always be installed afterwards. All systems can be connected to central operation via the PC and to alarm systems via Internet or GSM. As far as possible, instructions are provided in the end-users language using Fancom's in-house, specialised translation department.

In conclusion, we can safely say that Fancom can provide equipment and system for all phases of the various types of mushroom cultivation methods, to suit every budget and wherever in the world. If mushrooms become an indispensable element of the world's food supply, Fancom is ready to help them flourish.