EVENT: INTEGRATED PEST AND DISEASE (IPDM) WORKSHOPS
FACILITATORS: Dr. Michael Wolfin & Judy Allan
COST: Free: Australian Agaricus bisporus growers and their employees. $100/day: Researchers and industry stakeholders.
FOCUS: Pest and disease outbreaks can be costly for mushroom farms, impacting both yield and quality. In addition to direct losses, there are indirect costs, such as slower harvesting, spot treatments, increased hygiene requirements and pesticide purchases. Flies, which can spread diseases, must be managed in conjunction with disease prevention strategies to maintain a healthy farm environment.
As access to pesticides becomes more restricted, mushroom growers recognize the need to reduce routine pesticide use. However, transitioning to less frequent pesticide applications and non-synthetic biological control options requires improved systems to monitor pest and disease levels, along with the knowledge to respond effectively when conditions change.
These workshops offer a unique opportunity for mushroom growers to review and enhance their current IPDM practices. Through interactive theory sessions and facilitated farm walks structured as case studies, participants will gain valuable insights into pest and disease management.
Dr. Michael Wolfin, a leading expert in phorid fly control and key researcher at Penn State University, will share cutting-edge findings from his work on monitoring systems, kill stations, and biological control solutions. While predatory mites and entomopathogenic nematodes are available in Australia, adoption of these options has been limited. Dr Wolfin will provide practical advice on introducing and applying these controls effectively, as well as identifying common pitfalls to avoid.
As an added bonus, NSW attendees have the option of visiting Sylvan Australia, to tour their spawn production facility.
KEY BENEFITS:
- Learn how to manage flies and diseases effectively
- Gain experience in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of IPM on farms through guided farm walks
- Discover innovative solutions from global expert
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- How to monitor pests and diseases more effectively
- Steps to introduce biological controls to your farm
- Common mistakes to avoid during pest and disease management
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Owners, Growers, Trainee Growers, Managers, key farm staff
IPDM WORKSHOPS
QLD DATES & LOCATIONS:
Sunday 2 March 2025 (Optional)
- Farm Tour: Country Farm Fresh, Ballandean
Monday 3 March 2025
- Farm tour: Country Farm Fresh, Ballandean (optional)
- Farm tour: SJW Mushrooms, Chevallum
- Workshop: Red Bridge Motel, Woombye
Tuesday 4 March 2025
- Farm tour: SJW Mushrooms, Chevallum
- Workshop: Red Bridge Motel, Woombye
Note : Workshop delivers similar content to the NSW workshop.
NSW DATES & LOCATIONS
Wednesday 5 March 2025 (optional)
- Sylvan Australia: Optional additional tour, hosted by Sylvan, Londonderry
Wednesday 5 March 2025
- Workshop: Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, Windsor.
- Farm Tour: Premier Mushrooms, Glossodia
Thursday 6 March 2025
- Farm Tour: Premier Mushrooms, Glossodia
HOW TO REGISTER: Click the button below to download the registration form. Register by 6 February, 2025
ELIGIBILITY:
This event is free for Australian growers of Agaricus bisporus only (ie. Agaricus levy payers).
Researchers and industry stakeholders can apply to attend. Event organisers will let you know if you are accepted. A delegate catering cost of $100/day is applicable.
Not open to exotic growers, international growers or start-up farms.
GOT QUESTIONS?
For more information on the event, or to register, contact Judy Allan on 0427 671 057 or email judyallan@bigpond.com
TRAINER PROFILE: Dr. Michael Wolfin
Dr. Michael Wolfin is an Assistant Research Professor in the Entomology Department at Penn State University (USA). He has been a member of the Mushroom Fly Research Team since 2017, and his research has led to the development of attract and kill stations to control mushroom fly populations on mushroom farms. He studies the behavior and chemical ecology of mushroom flies and works to apply this research to develop or improve pest management strategies.
Watch Dr. Michael Wolfins keynote presentation at the Australia and New Zealand Mushroom Growers Conference:
TRAINER PROFILE: Judy Allan
Judy Allan has been involved in the mushroom industry since 1982, initially as a government advisor with the NSW Department of Agriculture and then as a private consultant. As a specialist in pest and disease management and industry risk mitigation, she has performed roles as project manager and/or team member on funded projects including: MU13014 (implementing industry risk management), MU11003 (editorial consultant to the AMGA Journal), MU12001 (mushroom industry knowledge training), MU12007 (development of a pilot mushroom farm disease monitoring scheme), MU16003 & MU21007 (pest and disease management and research services). Judy has served on numerous industry committees and has extensive experience in delivering industry training at farm and whole industry level and was awarded Life Honorary Membership of the Australian Mushroom Growers’ Association in 2003 in recognition of her services to the industry.
In MU21007 Judy utilises her mushroom-specific technical background and in-depth knowledge of the industry to be predominantly responsible for grower liaison and awareness raising as well as working with Warwick on resource development.
VIEW THE ITINERARY
Spaces are limited. Must pre-register to attend - by Feb 6.
QUEENSLAND WORKSHOPS
DATE |
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
VENUE |
| Sunday 2 March, 2025 (Optional Ballandean farm tour) |
4.00pm | Farm walk – Orientation to farm procedures followed by a farm walk at dusk led by Dr. Michael Wolfin to discuss fly behaviour. | Country Farm Fresh Mushrooms, Ballandean QLD |
| Sunday 2 March, 2025 (Optional Ballandean farm tour) |
7.30pm | Group dinner (at own cost) |
Stanthorpe Accommodation and Venue (TBC. Accommodation at own cost) |
| Monday 3 March, 2025 (Optional Ballandean farm tour) |
6.00am | Morning farm walk led by Dr. Michael Wolfin to discuss fly behaviour. Facilitated on- farm case study to review monitoring methods and locations and opportunities for intervention and what needs to be considered before introducing biological controls in the form of predatory mites and/or e-nematodes on this Phase 1, 2, 3 and growing facility. | Country Farm Fresh Mushrooms, Ballandean QLD |
| Monday 3 March, 2025 (Optional Ballandean farm tour) |
10.00am | Workshop Finish. | Travel from Ballandean to Woombye (est. 4hr drive) |
| Monday 3 March, 2025 (Sunshine Coast) |
4.00pm | Afternoon tea and networking at the venue. 4.30pm Michael Wolfin workshop commences. | Red Bridge Motel, Woombye QLD |
| Monday 3 March, 2025 (Sunshine Coast) |
6.00pm | Farm walk – at dusk to study fly behaviour |
SJW Mushrooms, Chevallum QLD. (block farm) Farm is approx. 10mins from venue |
| Monday 3 March, 2025 (Sunshine Coast) |
8.00pm | Group dinner and accommodation (own cost) |
Dinner and accommodation at Red Bridge Motel, Woombye QLD |
| Tuesday 4 March, 2025 (Sunshine Coast) |
6.00am | Farm walk led by Dr. Michael Wolfin to look at fly behaviour, monitoring and what needs to be considered before introducing biological controls in the form of predatory mites and/or e-nematodes. | SJW Mushrooms, Chevallum QLD |
| Tuesday 4 March, 2025 (Sunshine Coast) |
7.30am: | Return to workshop venue for breakfast (provided) | Red Bridge Motel, Woombye QLD |
| Tuesday 4 March,2025 (Sunshine Coast) |
8.30am - 12.30pm: | Workshop sessions. Note : Workshop delivers similar content to the NSW workshop |
Red Bridge Motel, Woombye QLD |
| Tuesday 4 March, 2025 (Sunshine Coast) |
1.00pm | Workshop concludes. | Participants drive home or depart for the airport (MCY approx. 20 minutes; BNE approx. 1 hr) |
NEW SOUTH WALES WORKSHOPS
DATE |
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
VENUE |
| Wednesday 5 March, 2025 | 9.00 - 10.30pm | (OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL TOUR) Guided tour of the spawn facility by Sylvan Australia, CEO Tomasz Kuczmaszewski. |
Sylvan Australia, Londonderry (Organise own travel) |
| Wednesday 5 March, 2025 | 11.00am | Morning tea and networking at the venue, | Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, Windsor. |
| Wednesday 5 March, 2025 | 11.30am - 4.30pm | Workshop sessions | Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley. Note : Workshop delivers similar content to the QLD workshop |
| Wednesday 5 March, 2025 | 5.00pm | Orientation to farm procedures followed by farm walk led by Dr. Michael Wolfin at ‘dusk’ to discuss fly behaviour and consider monitoring methods and locations. Catered BBQ dinner at farm. | Premier Mushrooms, Glossodia (Bus included) |
| Wednesday 5 March, 2025 | 8.00pm | Bus leaves to return to motel | (Bus included) |
| Thursday 6 March, 2025 | 6.00am | Farm walk led by Dr. Michael Wolfin to discuss fly behaviour. Facilitated on- farm case study to consider opportunities for intervention and what needs to be considered before introducing biological controls in the form of predatory mites and/or e-nematodes on this growing facility using Phase 3 compost into shelves. | Premier Mushrooms, Glossodia (Bus included) |
| Thursday 6 March, 2025 | 9.00am | Workshop ends. | Bus returns to hotel. |
Participant Disclaimer – Insurance Responsibility:
By registering for and participating in this training event, you acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage, as required by your employer. This includes, but is not limited to, coverage for personal injury, liability, and any other risks associated with your travel and participation in this event. The organizers, facilitators, and affiliated parties of this training accept no liability for any loss, damage, injury, or expenses incurred as a result of your participation. Your employer is responsible for ensuring that you are appropriately insured for this activity. By attending, you confirm that you have verified your insurance coverage with your employer and accept full responsibility for any associated risks. If you have any questions regarding insurance requirements, please consult your employer before attending.