Hello and welcome The end of August and the beginning of September have seen a substantial increase in the quantity of truffles found in the wild around the UK. We have been inundated with quality finds here at MSL HQ, and would like to thank everyone who has sent them in. If you would like to purchase some fresh summer truffles please email shop@plantationsystems.com.
The Four Oaks trade show was a great success and MSL would like to thank everyone who came to see us. We also have another presentation planned for October, so if you are interested in truffle growing, please read on and do come down to find out more. For now, we hope you enjoy the updates and as always, please do get in contact with any questions or comments.
Kind regards,
Dr Paul Thomas and the Mycorrhizal Systems Team
Radioactive truffles
In 1986 the Chernobyl disaster spewed out tonnes of radioactive fallout into the air, which eventually spread and settled across Europe. Radioactive Caesium - 137 is still settling in Württemberg (South West Germany), and has reached levels that have resulted in some low-level contamination of wild mushrooms, including truffles. Boars that have foraged on the affected fungi in Southern Germany have been found to be too radioactive for human consumption. Last year two to four thousand wild boars were found to have reached this level of contamination; an increase from just 125 - 250 only a decade ago. Truffles and mushrooms are also known to be contaminated in other eastern European countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Romania, and have been exported for human consumption. This is obviously a concerning trend and those in the industry as well as consumers may be wondering how to ensure the safety of their products.
In response to this situation, MSL Analysis has launched a range of testing services to check truffles, mushrooms and soil for radioactive contamination. If you are concerned about this matter or have any plant health concerns of your own please see www.MSLAnalysis.com or contactshop@mycorrhizalsystems.com Tel: 01422 844095.
Royal Agricultural College Seminar
On Tuesday 26th October Dr. Paul Thomas will be at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, giving a short talk on how to get more value out of woodland through truffle cultivation.
The day will focus on how to work with both new and established trees to optimise economic, environmental and social benefits. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions with regard to why and how and also address the practicalities of setting up a truffle plantation or making better use of their own trees. There will be numerous experts attending looking at many practical options for combining trees and food production. There will also be an opportunity to visit a woodland resource that was planted by the Royal Agricultural College 19 years ago.
If you are interested in attending or want to know more about this event please visit www.rac.ac.uk or email shop@plantationsystems.com for more information.
MSL Analysis
Due to new found technological advances in DNA testing we are pleased to announce that we have slashed the price of our DNA profiling services from £95 to £65. The testing is 100% accurate and a full written report with images is provided.
MSL Analysis provides a massive range of soil tests, DNA testing, and help completing the full grant process when applying for farming grants. Professional analysis is always more reliable and productive than the testing kits bought in garden centres. MSL Analysis tests your soil/root/plant matter samples and sends you a full report including images and recommends best, easiest and cheapest ways to improve your soil for your specific crops or flowers.
For more information visit www.MSLAnalysis.com or to obtain an order form please contact: shop@mycorrhizalsystems.com or Tel: +44 (0)1422 844 095
Truffle Hunting Success
The Truffle Hunting Dog School achieved a small landmark last month when one of the Plantation Partners brought their dog forward for their 'Advanced' grade and passed with flying colours. The dog demonstrated brilliantly its ability to find truffles in the wild and gave a perfect passive indication of the find. Congratulations to that proud owner.
This month Marion was also been asked to contribute a humorous truffle hunting account for a new American book. Marion recalled a time when she had located some truffles in a spot where the going was too dangerous for her dog Mufti, so she sent her husband in, risking life and limb, to retrieve them instead! They thought she was joking, but a good truffle hound is a very valued possession and worth looking after!
If you are interested in training you dog to hunt for wild truffles visit www.plantationsystems.com/dog-school or email training@plantationsystems.com