Mushroom Packets??????????

[bumper]

We currently buy ours at 8 baht each.

I want to start making our own. Any idea where we can find a class on that. here in Udon?

We are up to to 11,000 now that need to be rotated three times a year, so talking some serious money.

The wife had a full time worker now at the farm so she wants to get him trained. That would enough to pay his salary and still make a bit extra.


We have contacted the Government Agriculture, other then us supplying a good laugh for them totally worthless. Just to keep things straight the Fishery Department tries very hard to help.

I know of one place In Korat. But, that is a long ways away.

[noosard]

there is a ag school off the road to NK about 5ks from the main intersection
my wife did a course there
we make our own but buy the spores only

[bumper]

Thanks is it five Klms from Udon or Nong KhaI ?

This will be our first venture into this aspect. But, it's getting expensive to buy at these levels.

[noosard]

5 ks from udon turn right at where the new home hub is getting built
I think it is that building site
go to the end of the soi about 2ks
it is quite a lot of work to make mushrooms
but we allow 5 baht each to make
use to cook in 44gal drums but upgraded this year to a wood fire cooker for 20k
bought 200 second hand baskets for 20k
need some welding on a few
started to make my own about 60b each
keeps me busy as will need another 400
want to get a mixer and packer next

[bumper]

Thanks I know where it is now. We have the wife's brother working full time for us now, on the farm. I wouldn't even consider doing it myself. I don't think I could handle the heat involved.

When you pay eight baht a package and 11,000 in production that 88,000 baht three times a year or, 264,000 a year. starts to me things look more attractive. That is just our current status. Our market is within three Klms of the farm and we sale out everyday. Might even have room for a bit more expansion of product within that area.

If we can produce for half of that, the biggest expense would be building and area for it, followed by equipment. A lot of money involved,. But, mostly a one time cost.

So it looks really attractive.

Are you able to source the saw dust, spores ect easily?

Even with paying what we pay now we are still making money. But, I see it as very good longtime income for my wife when I check out. Right now we don't need the money but upon my death she will.

I have been thinking about going to some of the Agriculture shows and checking out equipment costs. The mixer is easy to figure out a common cement mixer would do fine. The packager and steamer may be a very different ball game.

Do you use wood for your heat source, that is what I was thinking of?

[noosard]

The spore we have been buying from different suppliers no problem getting but wife likes the shop in udon near mak kanng
rubber tree sawdust comes from down south
the big mushroom growers supplies us in 3 tonne lots and my neighbour gets and delivers to us
a 10tonne truck load cost about 30k this would make about 60k mushrooms
we use a wood fired cooker about 1100 at a time. we bought this off a family that upgraded to a 4000 gas cooker
lots are going for gas fired ones but more expensive to buy and run but easier to use
cement mix would be hard to mix enough for a cook, we do about 300kg sawdust at a time
further out of udon towards NK there is a young guy who supplies packets and is going to sell machinery as well
His place is on the left about 10ks out i think called happy mushroom

[bumper]

I think we heard about this guy, the lat I heard he wants to sale the equipment with the land?

[noosard]

no i think different guy
he makes mushroom bags and is looking at selling new machinery

[bumper]

I will try to find him.

Thanks

10 Klm outside of Udon or is it in Nong Khai, do you know which side of the road he is on?

Would seem if he sold the equipment might be able to teach us how to use it. That could be a good find.

I tried to find it on the internet no luck

Actually I've heard that using a gas oven is really expensive?

[noosard]

he is 10ks out of udon on the road to NK left hand side
wife said he has facebook but i can't read thai so will have to get that for you later

[bumper]

Thanks I really appreciate it,very kind of you.

If you can get sixty K out on truck load that would cover my entire year. That would be great.

[bumper]

This seem about right to you? From T.V. question

I can also tell you that the investment for startup is about 150 000 baht roughly.


sterilization oven (including steel baskets): 40 000 baht ( depends on how many bottles)
mixing machine: 30 000-35000 baht
pushing machine: 20 000 baht
saw dust (full truck): 25000 baht
than some other things like the ingredients for mix with the saw dust, plastic bags, the plastic rings, some weighing scales.

Some other things to invest maybe is shelves to let the bottles rest until the fungus is fully spread. Some farms they let the bottles rest in the houses already, but my brother in law says it's better to let them stand vertically, so the fungus grows better.

[noosard]

did the shelving first time but only did 4k cooking in 44gal drums 200-250 at a time
shelves turned out impractical space way and handling that is why am investing in another 400 odd baskets
giving us 600 enough for about 7k to cook and store
I would like to come and see your setup at sometime
get ideas and maybe give some as well

[bumper]

Your more then welcome, we don't have any equipment yet. Give me a yell when your ready. I still have no idea how big of a concrete area I will need. I have seen sit ups where the bottle are just stacked on the floor in pyramid fashion. Before they are laid on their sides. I think the same type of shelves we use in our house now would be just fine. Those are very inexpensive.

[tally]

Bumper
where are you and how far from Udon Thani
We are near Kut Chap and interested in your Mushroom and fish set up. would like to visit if you dont mind

Thanks
Tally

[bumper]

The farm is between Nong Bua and Nong Khai, just give em a call when you want to visit.

I don't think there is any operation in your area yet. My understanding the mushrooms from there actually come from Udon.

Ray.

086-229-8884

[tally]

Bumper (Ray)
Are you "between Nong Bua and Nong Khai" ? do you know your coordinates for google? so I can find you if, when its best for you.

Ta
Tally

[noosard]

my wife sold mushrooms in kut Chap yesterday as we are only 10ks away
normally don't go that far

[bumper]

No idea on the GPS, just call me when your ready and I will arrange to met you and guide you in.

Well I went to the place on Nong Khai road today. Really nice guy. But, he said he didn't sale equipment. However, he did give us a grand tour. He has a gas burner for an oven. Places the packets in the racks on the floor, then he has a hood that he lowers around he packets and heats them up.

A mixing machine and a packaging machine. The guy putting the spores in was just pouring them out of bottle and pushing them down with his finger. Then he put black bottle top on them. Haven't seen that before. He was making Nong Faa and told us they would be ready in about thirty days.

None of that scared me. But the amount of room he has for storage was huge. There is where I think the real expense will be. Talking about a large area of cement and roof. He stands them up for a period of time before he lays then down as we have them in our racks.

He sales them for 6 baht, not sure if the investment would be worth it, if you can still get them at that price. What the quality is of what produces no idea, He must have some happy customers because he has a huge amount of product, to be sold.

I still have one more place I want to see. Before I jump into the deep end of the pool.

[noosard]

that man's place is not big sompared to a few others
he does make a lot