Training Miss Ruby

Truffle dogs are an integral part of the truffle enterprise. Some people choose to have their truffles hunted by a professional team while others have their own dogs. All these dogs require hours of scent training to ensure they sniff out the most delectable truffles and to ensure they have the endurance to walk the rows and rows of orchards.

In this story we are featuring Mel Booth, one of the earliest professional truffle hunters in the district, and her new dog Ruby.

As I walk down a row of hazel and oak trees, watching my dog’s rump, I’m still in awe of their ability to air scent to a ripe truffle buried deep within the earth and covered with a thick layer of leaves. I’ve been working scent dogs for nearly 20 years, and I have always wondered how these amazing human companions see the world through their sense of smell.

Over the time that I have worked with scent detection dogs and the public, there are always the same comments made about dogs… “my dog would make a great truffle dog because his nose is always on the ground sniffing” or “my dog loves to dig, they would be awesome at hunting truffles”. These traits come naturally to all dogs; it is what they do! Now, to harness and control those natural behaviours so they perform the task that the handler wants is the challenge.

Ruby is the next truffle pooch for me to train. She is a young and exuberant pup whose energy I need to harness. When I start with a new dog, I often doubt whether I can shape them to the task at hand. With training comes failures, but it is these failings that drive me to succeed. I enjoy the challenge, often needing to rejig the plan to achieve the desired outcome.

I follow my training plan with Ruby down to the minute detail. I reward when is needed and correct if I have to. I repeat these tasks over and over again to cement the scent in Ruby’s brain. Ruby is only 4 months old, but the path we are following means she should be able to supplement my existing dogs in the 2024 season.

Now that we are out of the season and access to fresh truffle is nonexistent, so I must re-train her on a new odour, I use frozen truffle, so that I can continue her development. Soon I will be making the tasks harder and more complex, so Ruby understands that truffles don’t always come in a convenient container with holes in the lid. Ruby laps up the one-on-one time when we train, and the treat rewards are a big bonus on top of spending time with me.

Despite my previous comments about doubt, I’m feeling pretty positive about young Ruby-Roo. She is a very confident and robust Labrador. She is brave when she needs to be but does not take risks. She is not fazed by misadventure and gets straight back on the bike if she falls off. It is rewarding to watch her figure out a puzzle when we train together and to see the ‘ah ha’ moments when she understands what is being asked of her. All these things start to erase the doubts as I see Ruby developing into a confident, smart dog. And as a bonus, Ruby is a very nice dog to have around the house and she has fitted in well with the other dogs…well, they tolerate her.

Watch the truffle paddocks to see how Ruby fits into my Truffle Dogs WA team and how much she enjoys the work of truffle hunting.

Mel Booth

Truffledogs WA

Improved Orchard Floor Management in Truffle Orchards - Update

The DPIRD/AgriFutures/TPWA funded research project, PRJ013065 Improved Orchard Floor Management is nearing completion.

This project has sought to identify new methods for weed and pest management in the orchard and has for the first time sought to measure the effect of surface treatments on the soil microbiota. Rachelle Johnstone of DPIRD presented the latest information from the project prior to the TPWA AGM.

Over the last 2 years, the team at DPIRD have completed literature reviews, laboratory trials, and field trials to identify and assess sustainable options to improve truffle orchard floor management, focussing on new strategies to control weeds, slaters, and slugs. Weed management trials investigated the use of flame weeding and two organic herbicides – Slasher® (nonanoic acid) and Bioweed® (pine oil) in both young and mature truffle orchards. The alternative treatments were generally not as effective at reducing weed cover when compared to the standard grower practice. However, they have potential to reduce reliance on chemical herbicide if used as part of an integrated weed management strategy.

Root and soil analysis will be completed by March 2024 to assess any impact of these methods on the mycorrhiza and soil biome. Pest management trials included lab and field trials to test several biological based products for controlling slaters including the Entomopathogenic fungi product Velifer® and 3 nematode species. Unfortunately, Velifer® did not demonstrate effective control. The nematodes H. zealandica and H. bacteriophora provided good control of P. scaber but not A. vulgare. Mass trapping of slaters was identified as a potential, non-chemical control method however, field trials of this technique did not provide effective control. Bioassays of the weed treatments found that Bioweed® herbicide was effective at killing slugs and slaters. Slasher® and the flame weeder also killed more slaters (not slugs) than the control. However, weed control in orchards will not likely reduce pests as their sheltering habits protect them from direct contact.

We have updated the Australian Truffle Orchards Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) Manual to include the latest information to come out of the project. The latest version will soon be available on the DPIRD website.

The project also set out to map the location of all commercial truffle orchards in Australia. The Australian Tree Crop Map now includes 696 hectares (ha) of truffières, with 393 ha (56%) of the plantations in WA,108 ha (15%) in NSW, 101 ha (15%) in Tasmania, and 76 ha (11%) in Victoria. The map can be accessed through the following link www.une.edu.au/webapps

The final report will be completed by April 2024 and will include detailed results from the literature reviews and trials. If you would like further information before then, please contact Rachelle Johnstone at rachelle.johnstone@dpird.wa.gov.au PRJ013065 ‘Improving truffle orchard floor management’ is supported by DPIRD, in collaboration with the Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, University of New England, and the Australian National University, through funding from AgriFutures Australia as part of its AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program and DPIRD with contribution from Truffle Producers Western Australia Inc

Improved Orchard Floor Management in Truffle Orchards

Members of the TPWA committee have assisted the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in submitting a Preliminary Research Proposal to AgriFutures. This proposal requests funding for a project that extends the findings of the previous research to improve the sustainability of the industry. An extract from the proposal summary is as follows:

The Australian truffle industry is now over 20 years old and is the fourth largest producer of truffles in the world after Spain, France, and Italy. The industry is export focussed, with approximately 80% of production exported to international markets including north America, Europe, UK, and Asia.

There is increased awareness of farming practices by consumers. As Australia’s truffle production increases, growers are seeking effective and sustainable practices that match the increased attention to environmental impacts by growers themselves, farming communities, consumers, tourists, and the wider community.

Previous research (PRJ-009832) has identified the common pests impacting on truffle production. Major invertebrate pests were identified and research on minimising their impact revealed the importance of orchard floor management. That project recommended that more work needs to be done refining management options.

This project investigates new sustainable practices for truffle growers to manage the orchard floor in environmentally sustainable ways. Potential treatments include the use of organic acids and pine derivatives, weed-matting, steam, heat, and fire to reduce weeds. The project will also investigate sustainable options for invertebrate pest management. A major component of this project will be to examine any effect of the treatments on the mycorrhizae and where applicable, subsequent production.

The project aims to produce a series of information packages for new and established growers to adopt and move towards new sustainable practices.

Truffle Producers of Western Australia Strategic Plan 2019 - 2024

With the support of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the assistance of Katie McDonnell from Crazy Communities the Truffle Producers of Western Australia has produced a Strategic Plan which was accepted by its members at the Truffle Producers of Western Australia AGM in November 2019. The plan will benefit the members of the Truffle Producers of Western Australia by providing a pathway forward for the Western Australian truffle industry to strengthen and develop the industry in Western Australia.

Truffle Producers Of Western Australia Strategic Plan 2019 - 2024

Truffle Species added to WA Organisms List

TPWA has been advised by the Department of Primary Industries that the truffle species below have been declared as a permitted organisms for import into Western Australia.

Species Synonym Common Name

Tuber magnatum Italian white

truffle

Tuber aestivum Tuber uncinatum Burgundy truffle,

English truffle

Tuber borchii Tuber albidum Spring white truffle,

Bianchetto spring

truffle

The species are permitted entry to Western Australia under the conditions listed below.

Fresh, dried or frozen truffles for consumption

Fresh, dried or frozen truffles for consumption to be presented to Quarantine Western Australia upon arrival for document assessment of permitted status. Each consignment to be packaged in clean and new packaging. Goods to be clean and free of contaminant seed, soil and other biosecurity risk material. Import documents and goods packaging to clearly state the scientific name of the imported truffle species including both genus and species. 

Truffles for propagation

The entry of truffles for propagation be subject to an Import Permit issued under r.72 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013.

Truffle inoculum is imported on different substrates and in varying culture forms, each posing a unique biosecurity risk. Nursery stock is the most widely used substrate. The current published conditions for the import of nursery stock require the application of fungicides that may impact the survival of the truffle fungal inoculum. Consistent with the Commonwealth’s conditions, entry will be subject to a valid import permit which will detail the necessary treatments to maintain product quality while minimising the biosecurity risk, as determined in consultation with the exporter and importer. An exporter’s declaration that the inoculum is a pure strain of a permitted species will be required. Goods to be subject to inspection upon arrival.

The import conditions will be published on the Quarantine Western Australia Import Requirement search site https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/iaquarantine/

A Day in the life of a truffle hunter

Clear frosty winter mornings are what we look forward to as truffle hunters. They are much better than the alternative of storms! The dogs prefer them too- a windswept sleeting dawn has all but the bravest truffle dog heading back to a cosy bed by the fire!

Priority one is to let the dogs stretch their legs in the dawn light; while they do the obligatory perimeter check I can stoke the fire and boil the kettle.

 Travel mug in hand, the ute has been packed the night before, and the dogs eagerly fly into their box. Keen noses blow steamy vapour through the mesh as the ute trundles out the driveway.

As the sun lights the eastern horizon you can see the clouds resting on the surrounding hills, and clear crisp air turns to foggy mist as the Cruiser climbs. Kangaroo appear and disappear as ghosts in the fog, and there is an occasional soundtrack provided by triple J as radio reception fades in and out.

The further inland we travel the more evident last night’s frost becomes, and as we disembark by the oak and hazelnut forest the dogs and I are greeted by smiling farmers; The dogs have the farmers well trained to give pats and affection on arrival- they seem to be quite strict about this.

As the dogs run around, warming up and busily investigating any new smells since last week, the farmers and I can discuss plans for the day, industry developments, and of course, the weather.

 Once truffle orchards in Western Australia reach around ten years of age, they become very significant in the amount of the rich smelling fungus they produce each week. Most of the privately owned plantations are between 1000 and 2000 Oak and Hazelnut trees. As such it can take anywhere from 6-24 hours of experienced dog hunting time to ensure all ripe truffles are identified by the clever hounds. This hunt needs to be repeated every one to two weeks through the winter! Such sustained concentration can be very draining on the dogs from a psychological point of view. As such it is important a dog handler observes their body language and behaviour, thus allowing the dogs to be rested before they are truly fatigued. To achieve this in most paddocks we aim to rotate dogs after every 100 truffles, or one hour of hunt time.

 We try to approach a paddock in a logical manner, and ensure we leave no tree unsearched for this rare delicacy- With a retail value of around $2000/kg, even leaving 1kg undiscovered is very undesirable for the producer, and as such we always want our dogs to bring their A game.

 “A game” is an apt description, because this process needs to be ‘a game’ for our canine friends, if they thought it was a job I’m sure my favourite Kelpie bitch would contact a workers union and start a legal battle. As it stands I’m sure she sees truffle hunting as a great adventure. Between the food rewards, the pats and cuddles rained down on her, and relaxing evenings on her deerskin by the fire, it certainly seems to be an idyllic life. Quite a change in fortune for a pretty little dog who was left in a cardboard box on a Perth highway as a 6 week old puppy!

My other fully trained truffle dog is a shaggy haired Collie Staghound cross, he is a lovely intelligent dog; an athlete and a brilliant truffle hunter, but outside of the truffle paddock life is very scary for him. While he suffers from separation anxiety, and a variety of phobias, we have a good understanding these days. This allows him to live a relaxed enjoyable life both in and out of the truffle paddock.

 After a morning of marking truffles up and down the rows we are often treated to a bowl of soup by a fireplace. The dogs usually appreciate a break from all the concentrating, and will enjoy a few sprinting laps around a nearby clearing, I cannot claim the dog handlers take part in anything as energetic!

 Most lunch breaks in truffle hunting seem to result in a wardrobe change, adding or removing layers as squalls of rain arrive or depart. This is often true for the dogs as well, who are generally happy to work in quite heavy rain if they have their favourite jacket on.

 Mid winter in the south west of Western Australia means our daylight hours are limited. Many paddocks are in shadows by 4.30pm, and the lack of light at 5pm makes it almost impossible to identify the black fungus in the dark soil.

Occasionally a post hunt beverage is enjoyed, but many days finish with a 100km+ drive for dog handlers, and an evening of washing truffle under icy taps for farmers.

Truffle hunting is a strange thing, while it all sounds cold wet and miserable, it is addictive, challenging and thrilling. There is a real sense of achievement after a big day with your dogs, and the camaraderie in the paddock is great to be a part of.

Will Powell shaggydogtruffles@gmail.com with Charlie and Dash.

Pest and Diseases of Truffles and their Host Trees in Australia

Stewart Learmonth DAFW and John Crabtree harvesting at Hazeloak Farm

As part of the Pest and Diseases of Truffles and their Host Trees in Australia, a collaborative project between the Department of Agriculture and Food in Western Australia, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Australian Truffle Growers Association and Truffle Producers Western Australia monitoring and research is being undertaken by Stewart Learmonth from DAFWA in a number of trufferies in Western Australia over the Truffle Harvesting Season. Details of truffle harvested are recorded such as depth truffle found,  pest damage to truffle and the pests that may have caused the damage. This forms part of the intensive monitoring of pests at properties in Western Australia and the Eastern States along with field trials investigating the management of the major pests that have been identified.

Stewart Learmonth DAFWA examining a pest found in a truffle.

Truffles!

The 2017 Harvest Season for Truffles is now fully underway in the South West of Western Australia. Established trufferies, both large and small are being hunted and harvested once or more times a week to find ripened truffle and newer trufferies are being hunted by experienced hunters and their dogs in search of the elusive tuber Melanosporum.

This is a very busy time of the year for growers as the truffle needs to be taken from the ground, cleaned of organic matter such as dirt and roots, processed and graded to provide high quality truffle to the market. While truffle is sought after and used locally in Australia the majority of truffle grown in Western Australia is destined for fine restaurants in North America, Europe and Asia.

TPWA would like to wish all of our grower members a successful harvest for 2017 and encourage lovers of truffles and those wanting to experience a special taste sensation to seek out truffles and truffle experiences being provided now by a number of retailers and restaurateurs. Truffles are best used with food of light flavour such as pasta, meat especially chicken, eggs, and potatoes.