In July UMDIS Mushroom Information Agency made a farm tour in Ireland, sponsored by JFMcKenna, the first farm that we visited was Codd Mushrooms.

Codd Mushroom farm grows white button mushrooms. It is a family-owned mushroom farm with a very industrious and kind owner – Leslie Codd. The Codd family mushroom business started production in 1989 by brothers Leslie and Raymond.

Now the farm consists of 42 growing rooms.

Leslie`s farm is a combination of tunnel and panel rooms – he started with tunnel, then decided to try panel. Now he can evaluate all advantages and disadvantages of both types.

Mushrooms are picked both by men and women. Leslie shares that he does have not have any problems with lack of people: he has the agency which helps him to employ people and 50% of his staff are on contracts/ visas. The rest are Irish snd from the EU.

“The hardest moment in my work life was when Covid started and my employees wanted to leave the farm and just run away as they were scared, – recalls Leslie. – That time  I felt – in a moment everything that I was building for years can be destroyed. As no-one will pick mushrooms and orders won’t be filled.  Then I stood in front of them and asked them not to leave the farm, just to stay and we will do everything in our power to keep them safe. And they stayed. And the farm survived. You know, I come to work every day and ask the people who work for me how are they, how are their relatives. I remember the name of all my employees also the name of husbands, wives and children. More than 240 people work for me – and I really respect them, they are important to me. I believe people feel it. So that is why I believe they did not leave me at a difficult time”.

Three flushes are being harvested on Codd Mushrooms. The yield is near 34 kg per m2, with generally small sized mushrooms with excellent presentation.

Codd Mushrooms uses alluminium shelving by JF McKenna.

Control computers are used by Codd Mushrooms are Fancom, installed by JF McKenna.

Most of mushrooms which Codd Mushrooms produce – they pack. Actually all mushrooms that are sent to retail are being packed, and that is near 75%. Another 25% of mushrooms go to food service in bud chips.

Beingan Irish mushroom farm owner, Leslie Codd makes his marketing be very „warm” – according to graphics: colours, shapes, photos and slogans.[ad id=”38165″]