Andrey Repin
Composting specialist, consultant.
When compost yard’s operations appear stable and the quality remains consistent, it’s easy to think everything will continue running smoothly without a compost production technologist. But is this really a safe assumption?
The first and most important role of a compost production technologist is making compost in the right amount, with the right quality, and on time. This might sound simple, but it’s not.
Compost is a living substance filled with billions of different types of bacteria. Compost is usually made in open or semi-open areas, so changes in weather, temperature, humidity, rain, and wind all affect the process. This is especially noticeable in spring and autumn. Even during the year, big changes can happen. For example, after heavy rains, the recycled water gets diluted, which slows down the process.
The raw materials are also very important. Sometimes changes happen slowly and are barely noticeable, but sometimes serious changes occur, like differences in manure or straw. Each batch is unique, and you will never get the same process schedule for bunkers or tunnels or the same compost yield from the same amount of straw.
The technologist’s task is to smooth out these changes, respond quickly to issues, and make compost that is as stable as possible from batch to batch and week to week.
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Two types of compost production organization
I’ve seen two types of compost production setups.
Type 1: SOP-based system
The first type is usually used by large companies with multiple compost yards and mushroom farms. They have a technologist or consultant who sets production standards for each compost yard.
There is also a compost manager on-site who follows SOP (Standard Operating Procedures). These procedures describe every step of the process — from receiving raw materials to shipping finished compost.
But the problem is that without proper knowledge and attention, it’s easy to miss changes in the compost. The response often comes too late when theproblem already shows up on the mushroom farm. When a consultant comes to help, it takes more time to figure out the problem because people follow the SOP strictly, and the issue could be due to deviations or changes that need updated procedures.
This system works well when conditions are almost perfect (high-quality raw materials, a steady production schedule, and plenty of control tools like water meters, ventilation systems, and agrochemical labs).
Type 2: Dedicated technologist
The second type involves having a full-time technologist who focuses only on compost production. This is their main job.
The big advantage is that the process is under constant control by a professional. The technologist monitors all compost parameters — color, structure, smell, moisture, and lab tests — in real time. This allows for quick responses to changes. The technologist isn’t limited by fixed procedures and is responsible for decisions.
An experienced technologist can manage the process manually and respond even without lab results or water meters. The downside is that the technologist’s skills are very important. It’s not just about looking — they need to “see” the problem. Recognizing a problem is half the job; the other half is knowing what to do next.
Do you know that we have online composting course? Click here for more info.
Daily responsibilities of a compost technlogist
To produce high-quality compost in the right amount and on time, the technologist must:
- Compost formula: Decide the compost formula, specifying the quantity and quality of materials like straw, manure, and gypsum to ensure the right nitrogen and acidity levels.
- Soaking straw bales: Decide how to soak the bales, how long to keep them in water, and monitor the process.
- Lab tests: Ensure proper sample collection and testing for compost and raw materials.
- Managing raw materials: Order and manage materials like straw, manure, gypsum, mycelium, additives, and ammonia tubes.
- Production schedule: Develop and ensure compliance with the production schedule based on raw material quality and the season.
- Process control: Oversee mixing, transferring, loading bunkers and tunnels, seeding, and other stages, ensuring proper ventilation settings and temperature calibration.
- Second phase control: Ensure cleaning and disinfecting before seeding or spawning.
Role of people and equipment
Even if all these steps are followed, success is not guaranteed.
- Staff: A trained and stable team is very important. Frequent staff turnover often leads to mistakes.
- Equipment: Delays, schedule disruptions, and ventilation failures affect quality. Compost production equipment operates in tough conditions — high humidity, temperature changes, and ammonia, which quickly damages mechanical and electrical parts. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep equipment running properly.
By focusing on both people and equipment, and with a skilled technologist, compost production can stay on track and give good results.
As we can see, the compost production technologist has many responsibilities. Of course, they don’t have to handle everything alone. Junior technologists can assist with different phases, laboratory technicians can handle lab work, and operators can control climate systems. Each company decides based on its needs and capabilities. However, everyone agrees that the compost production technologist plays a very important role.
In connection with mushroom cultivation, the compost technologist lays the foundation on which cultivation and harvesting technologists build the final product — high-quality mushrooms that are dense, visually appealing, have a long shelf life, and yield well.
Sometimes companies get the false impression that when everything is running smoothly and producing consistent results, the technologist is no longer necessary because the process is already established and self-sustaining. This is a dangerous misconception. Things can go wrong very quickly. Most likely, everything is working because you have a skilled professional on the team. Value and appreciate your experts.
