• Sterckx | Mushroom composting facility

INCUBATED MUSHROOM COMPOST

  • Organic compost

    Our product range also features organic compost. The raw materials for organic compost include organic straw, organic chicken litter and natural gypsum.

    Supplementary feed

    Incubated compost can be given supplementary feed as desired and as required. Soybeans and soybean meal are the basis for supplementary feed. It causes the mushroom to develop further.

    Temperature

    We make every effort to deliver the compost to the grower at the ideal temperature. If necessary, we cool the compost with ice or CO2.

    Spawn species

    We let the compost grow with the spawn species at the option of the grower. We work with spawn species for white and chestnut mushrooms.

PRoductION proCESS COLONIZED MUSHROOM COMPOST

Production process incubated mushroom compost

Phase 1: composting


In the first phase, we make fresh compost. To that end, we mix horse manure, chicken litter, wheat straw and gypsum. We let this mix compost for 6 days at a high temperature in composting bunkers with active floor aeration. At the end of the first phase, we mix the compost from the different bunkers to obtain a compost that is as homogeneous as possible.



Pasteurization process colonized mushroom compost

Phase 2: Pasteurize


After the composting phase, we bring the fresh compost to insulated tunnels. There the compost pasteurizes for 8 hours at 60°C, followed by 4 days at 40 to 50°C. This process involves the conversion of ammonia into useful proteins. Through a computer-controlled process, we keep the oxygen level high. This way, the process stays aerobic and odour emissions are avoided. This phase has a selective compost as result. In other words, a compost that is best suited for the growth of the mushroom fungus.

INCUBATION PROCESS COLONIZED MUSHROOM COMPOST

Phase 3: incubation


In the final phase, we inoculate the pasteurized compost in sterile conditions with the mushroom mycelium. Then it goes into the incubation tunnel. Incubation occurs at a temperature of 24 to 28°C (the ideal temperature for mushrooms) and lasts at least 15 days. The cooling of the computer-controlled climate system ensures the correct temperature, even on hot summer days, and cools down the compost before delivery. After the incubation, the compost has turned fully white and it already has the typical smell of mushrooms.

Delivery INCUBATED MUSHROOM COMPOST

Doorgroeid Champignonsubstraat aflevering

PHASE 1 : Loading truck


We load the substrate into the truck at the company.
Additional food can be added.
To keep the compost cool, we also add ice or CO2.

PHASE 2 : FILLING CELLS


The cells at the grower are filled with the substrate with a layer of casing soil on top.
The truck dumps the substrate into the filling machine that fills the growth beds in the cells.

PHASE 3 : PICKING


The mushrooms can be picked by the grower after a few weeks.

PACKAGING FORMS OF GROWTH MUSHROOMS SUBSTRATE

IN BULK

We supply mushroom substrate in bulk with trailers.
We can also unload with or without chopper mills with moving floor trailers.

IN PACKAGES

By cooling and transporting the mushroom substrate under the right conditions, it is possible to transport worldwide.
Dimensions packages 60x40x20cm, weight 21-23kg. Supplements are supplied separately in bags on request.

Henry Breukers – Commercial Director Sterckx I Mushroom composting facility

INTERESTED IN MUSHROOM COMPOST

CUSTOMIZED OFFERS FOR EVERY GROWER


Orders, questions or free information about our mushroom compost? Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help you with a customized offer.

HENRY BREUKERS
Commercial Director

NV Karel Sterckx can rely on three generations of experience in the production of mushroom compost. Our products are known for their constant and excellent quality.

CUSTOMIZED FOR EVERY GROWER

We deliver our compost 6 days a week, fully customized to the type of grower.

Manual picking

The harvest of mushrooms destined for the fresh market still happens manually and is very labour intensive. We offer different spawn species that result in high-quality mushrooms and are excellently suitable for picking.

Machine cutting

The harvest of mushrooms destined for the processing industry happens mechanically. For growers who cut by machine, we produce spawn species that provide a very high yield and are excellently suitable for cutting.

Delivery for filling machine

For customers who have a filling machine, we optimize the transport with trailers with a walking floor or moving floor.

Unloading on conveyor belt

With specific trailers, we can also unload on the conveyor belt in doses.

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

We invest continuously in our machine park and in our employees. This way, our solutions remain tailored to the current needs.

Computer-controlled

Our entire process is computer-controlled. This allows us to follow all phases closely, ensuring a consistent quality.

Quality and flexibility

Our team works closely together to provide our customers with an optimal service. Each and every of our employees attach great importance to quality and flexibility.

Sustainability

Throughout our process, we aim for sustainable energy consumption, a rational water consumption and a reduction of transport and waste streams. Also, the process air is purified by a gas washer and a biofilter.