The two day event kicked off with a visit to TAS Valley Mushroom Farm in Norwich, and returned to Cambridge for the next day's updates on disease management and solving business problems.
One of the most pressing challenges that the industry faces is that of Virus X, and this was addressed by key speaker, Dr Helen Grogan who gave advice on advances and detailed research initiatives by HRI and Defra. She also clarified the issues of pesticide use.
As a victim of the potentially catastrophic virus, Peter Woad from Blue Prince Mushrooms Ltd gave a frank account of his experience, along with thoughts on practical treatments once the virus has been identified.
Tony Dumbreck from Golden Crumb Produce Ltd gave a presentation on successfully adding value. The company supplies breaded mushrooms and has contracts with Whitbread and Compass, among others. Dumbrek said that in order to survive in difficult circumstances, companies must be innovative and must not allow themselves to stagnate, making the move from commodity products to new ideas, processing and marketing.
Victoria Lloyd-Davies was also on hand to display the work of the Mushroom Bureau, which generates over £1 million of publicity each year for mushrooms. The bureau's major stated aim is to prompt customers to buy mushrooms in preference to the 98 other vegetables they can choose from.
It also handles crises within the industry dealing with problems such as a misleading labelling and advertising campaign earlier this year.
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