Mushroom Yield Calculator
Estimate your mushroom harvest potential and profitability. This calculator provides realistic yield projections based on species, substrate, supplementation, and your experience level. Perfect for planning commercial operations or optimizing home grows.
Mushroom Yield Calculator
BE: 100% average
⚠️ Important Notes
- • Actual yields vary based on genetics, environment, and technique
- • First-time growers typically achieve 50-70% of projected yields
- • Contamination can reduce or eliminate yields entirely
- • Market prices fluctuate based on location, season, and quality
- • Consider labor costs and equipment investment in profitability analysis
Understanding Mushroom Yields
Mushroom yields are typically measured by Biological Efficiency (BE) - the ratio of fresh mushroom weight to dry substrate weight, expressed as a percentage. Understanding and optimizing BE is key to successful and profitable mushroom cultivation.
Biological Efficiency by Species
| Species | Typical BE Range | Achievable BE |
|---|---|---|
| Oyster | 75-150% | Up to 200% |
| Shiitake | 50-100% | Up to 120% |
| Lion's Mane | 50-90% | Up to 100% |
| Reishi | 30-60% | Up to 70% |
| King Oyster | 60-100% | Up to 120% |
Factors Affecting Yields
1. Genetics
Strain selection can impact yields by 20-50%. Commercial strains are selected for high yields, fast colonization, and disease resistance.
2. Substrate Quality
- Nutrition: Supplemented substrates yield 20-40% more
- Particle size: Affects colonization speed and density
- pH: Most species prefer pH 6.0-7.0
- Moisture: Critical for yield - must be optimal
3. Environmental Conditions
- Temperature: Must be within species' optimal range
- Humidity: 80-95% during fruiting for most species
- CO₂: High during colonization, low during fruiting
- Light: Triggers and directs fruiting body formation
4. Cultivation Technique
- Spawn rate: Higher rates can increase first flush yields
- Container size: Affects microclimate and yield
- Harvesting timing: Critical for maximum weight
- Rehydration: Proper soaking between flushes
Understanding Flush Patterns
Most mushroom species produce multiple flushes (harvests) from a single substrate block:
- First flush: Typically 40-60% of total yield
- Second flush: Usually 20-35% of total yield
- Third flush: Often 10-20% of total yield
- Subsequent flushes: Diminishing returns
Profitability Considerations
Revenue Factors
- Local market prices (varies significantly by region)
- Direct sales vs wholesale (2-3x price difference)
- Organic certification (20-50% premium)
- Value-added products (dried, powdered, extracts)
Cost Factors
- Substrate materials ($0.20-1.00/kg)
- Spawn ($2-5/kg)
- Energy (heating, cooling, humidification)
- Labor (often 40-60% of operating costs)
- Infrastructure (depreciation, maintenance)
Realistic Expectations
Beginners: Expect 50-70% of calculated yields initially
Intermediate: Can achieve 70-90% consistently
Experienced: May exceed 100% of projections with optimized systems
Maximizing Yields
- • Start with proven high-yielding strains
- • Optimize supplementation (10-20% wheat bran)
- • Maintain precise environmental conditions
- • Harvest at optimal maturity (just before spore drop)
- • Properly rehydrate between flushes
- • Keep detailed records to identify best practices
Important Notes
- • Contamination can reduce yields to zero
- • Market prices fluctuate seasonally
- • Some species (reishi, turkey tail) are sold dried, affecting profitability calculations
- • Consider post-harvest losses (10-20% typical)