Woodford Truffles SA (Pty)Ltd.
Bringing together knowledge from around the world for the commercial production of black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) in the Southern African region
We believe our techniques are up to date and advanced, using thorough and scientific methods currently employed to cultivate the black truffle.
Our production techniques used for partnership plantations have the following benefits:
1. DNA-identified inoculums,
2. multiple inoculations,
3. reduced contamination through autoclaving the substrate.
With solid relationships across the globe through the scientific community consulting for us, our thorough orchard monitoring will lead to successful truffle harvests.
If you are interested to become a grower participating in this Truffle Joint Venture program contact us by filling out the attached form of where in South Africa your land is situated to enable us to ascertain its suitability for truffle growing.
TRUFFLE CULTIVATION IN SOUTH AFRICA WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS
Woodford Truffles SA (Pty)Ld.
Our head office is based at
5 Bisschop Road, Hout Bay
Cape Town 7806
South Africa
Tel. +27-21-7913953
Fax. +27-21-7914398
cel. +27-83-2251179
e-mail mirosct@iafrica.com
ABOUT US
Woodford Truffles SA (Pty)Ltd.
Volker Miros, first developed an interest in Cultivating Truffles when he learnt about the Khoi-Khoin culinary tradition of searching and collecting the white Kalahari truffle, known as the "t-nabba". Wild truffles were recently found in South Africa for the first time on the chalk downs of the Southern Cape, assuring our scientists that truffles can be cultivated here.
Over the last 10 years Volker investigated all the available information on the World Wide Web, and has acquired a vast knowledge of world truffle cultivation. He has assembled a team of experts to launch commercial truffle cultivation in Southern Africa on a large scale.
The Woodford team of agriculturists and scientists are in a position to apply the technology to establish Joint Venture truffle orchards, and will support in all aspects of setting up and assisting the grower in managing the orchard. Our specialists will visit your orchard on a regular basis to monitor the progress of the truffle mycorrhiza.
GROWING TRUFFLES
Background information for the grower
Site Establishment
Your site selection is the first important step toward successful truffle production. Take sun and wind direction and water availability into consideration when choosing a site. Our scientists will be able to advise you.
The French black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) needs a climate without extreme summer heat or extreme winter cold. Mulching and irrigation methods can modify climatic conditions and make marginal areas suitable for truffle growing.
Truffles require well-drained soils. Apart from excellent drainage, French black truffles tolerate a broad range of soils from sandy to clay loams, including rocky soils.
Soil preparation
You should have the soil tested to measure its natural pH, buffering capacity, organic matter content and the availability of plant nutrients. The suitable soil pH range is between 7.5 and 8.3, but 7.9 (water reading or 7.2KCl) is considered ideal.
The best method is to raise the pH to 7.9 before the trees are planted to give potential fungus competitors as little opportunity as possible to exploit non-ideal conditions. It takes a long time, months or years to raise the pH usually, but few farmers are willing to wait that long before planting.
NEWS
"Woodford" is proud to announce the addition of internationally renowned Truffle consultants
Prof. A. Zambonelli and Dr. I. Hall to the "Team"
Dr Ian Hall and Professor Allesandra Zambonelli have years of experience in research and the establishment of orchards internationally, with success stories of producing truffles. They have written the ultimate truffle bible: "Taming the Truffle". These two world renowned scientists have recently been appointed as our consultants.
The Black Perigord Truffle Inoculum used in the inoculation of the Woodford Truffles SA truffle trees is taken from imported Italian truffles, and the samples are DNA tested by Dr Renee Prins, Geneticist of the Cengen Laboratories, to ensure that no other mycorrhiza is present, and that only the finest Tuber Melanosporum is used to inoculate the trees which are destined to be planted in the Joint Venture Partners' orchards.
We are pleased to announce our first "trufflers"
As we had announced some time ago to all our Joint Venture Partners, Marda and Trevor our animal handlers studied in Italy how to train "truffle dogs" are now ready with the first litter of "TRUFFLERS".They are across breed we selected to become our preferred truffle hunters. Trained dogs will become available for purchase when our orchards have the truffle aroma exuding from the soil. Trevor is also an animal handler in the Cape film industry.
MORE NEWS
Good news, root-testing our trees in the orchard we found prolific melanosporum infestation.
Root analysis under the microscope shows quickly wether the melanosporum inoculation done on the small seedlings has taken. We are please to be able to confim all the orchards trees show melanosporum infection on the secondary roots.
WOODFORD TEAM
MANAGEMENT TEAM
VOLKER MIROS. S.A.S.C
The driving force, and person you should contact for all
the low down on the Joint Venture Project in South Africa.
PAUL MIROS. S.A.S.C
Second in command, and in charge of advertising and marketing
RIAAN VAN ZYL. BSc.
(Bsc)Silviculturist. Arborialist, our in-house
forester, will give
advice on pruning and tree health to maintain the condition of the truffle trees.
Herkie Visser
Operations Manager, Nursery and Truffle Orchards
ANGELA MIROS.
Woodford Financial Director.
TONY FRITH.CA(SA)Woodford Accountant
CONSULTANT TEAM
DR. IAN HALL.
Mycologist. Co-author of the Truffle Bible
"Taming the Truffle" -consults, and shares
his vast knowledge.
PROFESSOR ALLESSANDRA ZAMBONELLI.
Mycologist. Co-author of the Truffle Bible
“Taming the Truffle”, Bologna University, consults and
willingly shares all her secrets.