Yield Estimator (BE%)

Predict your total mushroom yield based on biological efficiency (BE%) and substrate weight. Perfect for planning harvests and estimating production capacity.

Substrate Information

Dry Substrate Weight (lbs)

Weight of dry substrate materials before hydration

Mushroom Strain

Select your mushroom variety (BE% shown)

Growing Conditions

Expected Flushes

Number of harvests expected (typically 2-4)

Growing Temperature (°F)

Average fruiting temperature (optimal: 70-80°F)

Understanding Biological Efficiency

What is Biological Efficiency (BE%)?

Biological Efficiency is the ratio of fresh mushroom weight harvested to the dry substrate weight used, expressed as a percentage. A BE% of 100% means you harvested 1 pound of fresh mushrooms for every 1 pound of dry substrate.

Formula: BE% = (Fresh Mushroom Weight ÷ Dry Substrate Weight) × 100

Species-Specific BE% Expectations

Oyster Mushrooms

80-150% BE - Pearl Oyster (100%), Phoenix (120%), Blue (110%). Fast colonizers with excellent yields on diverse substrates.

Shiitake

60-80% BE - Slower growth but high market value. Requires hardwood sawdust. Multiple flushes over several months.

Lion's Mane

75-100% BE - Consistent producer on supplemented hardwood. Beautiful cascading fruits. Premium pricing.

Factors Affecting Yield

Genetics & Strain Selection:

Commercial strains are selected for high BE%
Multi-spore inoculations show more variability
Clone selection can improve yields by 20-30%
Strain degeneration occurs after many transfers

Environmental Conditions:

Temperature: 70-80°F optimal for most species
Humidity: 80-95% RH during fruiting
Fresh Air Exchange: 4-8 exchanges daily
Light: Indirect light 12 hours/day

Substrate Quality:

Fresh, uncontaminated materials
Proper C:N ratio (carbon to nitrogen)
Supplementation can increase BE% by 30-50%
Proper pasteurization or sterilization

Flush Distribution

Yields are not evenly distributed across flushes. Typically:

First flush: 60-70% of total yield
Second flush: 20-25% of total yield
Third flush: 10-15% of total yield
Fourth+ flushes: <5% each, diminishing returns

Improving Your Yields

Increase spawn rate: 25-30% colonizes faster
Supplement substrate: Bran, soy hulls add nutrients
Optimize environment: Consistent temp & humidity
Select high-BE strains: Phoenix oyster, quality genetics
Proper fruiting triggers: Temperature drop, increased FAE
Rehydrate between flushes: Dunk 12-24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 200% BE possible?

Yes, but rare. Highly supplemented substrates with optimal conditions can exceed 150% BE. Phoenix oyster on soy hull-supplemented hardwood can reach 180-200% BE. This requires advanced techniques and perfect execution.

Why are my yields lower than estimated?

Common causes: poor genetics, suboptimal temperature, inadequate FAE, low spawn rate, contamination, or weak mycelium. First flush yield is the best indicator - if it's low, troubleshoot before next flush.

Does substrate type affect BE%?

Absolutely. Hardwood sawdust typically gives lower BE% than straw, but produces denser, higher-quality mushrooms. Supplemented substrates increase BE% but risk contamination. Match substrate to species.

How do I calculate BE% from my actual harvest?

Weigh your fresh harvested mushrooms and divide by your dry substrate weight (before hydration). Multiply by 100 for percentage. Track this across grows to identify improvements.

Should I include substrate weight in BE% calculation?

No. BE% uses only the DRY substrate weight before hydration. Don't include water, spawn, or casing layer. This standardizes measurements across different setups.

What's considered a "good" BE% for beginners?

For oyster mushrooms, 80-100% BE is excellent for beginners. Shiitake growers should expect 50-70% BE. Don't get discouraged by low first attempts - technique improves with experience.

Can I improve BE% on later flushes?

Later flushes naturally have lower yields, but proper rehydration (dunking) and optimal fruiting conditions maximize each flush. Some growers achieve 4-5 productive flushes with good care.