Hello and welcome Over the past month we have been quite busy here at MSL HQ, and as September approaches the Summer Truffles of the UK are improving in flavour, and in the southern hemisphere the Australian black Truffle market is booming. This week we have superb quality fresh summer truffles (Tuber aestivum/uncinatum) available for sale.If you've never tried truffles, this would be an excellent opportunity and you can order any quantity from just a few grams to several kilos. For prices and delivery times please email shop@plantationsystems.com. 

The recent rains have brought yet more new finds and our expert dog trainer, Marion Dean has been having a good month of hunting new grounds and recording conditions at these wild sites. We have also just launched a new analytical service for farmers and gardeners alike, MSL Analysis and are also busy preparing for the Four Oaks trade show in September, for more details on these please see below. 

For now, we hope you enjoy the updates and as always, please do get in contact with any questions/comments.

Kind regards,

Dr Paul Thomas and the Mycorrhizal Systems Team

Napa Truffle Festival 
The Napa Truffle Festival is establishing itself as one of the world's biggest truffle events, being held every year in the Westin Verasa in downtown Napa, California. From the 10th - 12th December this year, the world best Michelin star chefs and the world's top truffle scientists will all be gathered in Napa at the Festival celebrating the black périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) and the black summer Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum/uncinatum). The festival will include cooking classes, demonstrations and truffle cultivation seminars from truffle scientists. The highlight of the Festival will be Saturday night's Grand Truffle Banquet-a six-course truffle menu, with each course prepared by a Michelin-star chef and perfectly paired with wine. If you would like any more information about the Napa Truffle Festival please contact the American Truffle Company: info@americantruffle.com or visit the festival web page at www.napatrufflefestival.com 

MSL Analysis 
Here at MSL we now offer a range of analytical services, MSL Analysis (www.mslanalysis.com). We provide a massive range of soil tests, DNA testing, and help completing the full grant process when applying for farming grants. It is hugely important for gardeners and farmers to know what type of soil they have; for example, you need to know the pH, essential nutrient level and soil structure, so you can get the best possible yields and the healthiest plants possible from your soil foundation. Professional analysis is always more reliable and productive than the testing kits bought in garden centres. MSL Analysis test your soil samples and then send you a report with the best, easiest and cheapest ways to improve your soil for your specific crops or flowers. Of course, being part of our group, MSL Analysis also has a bias towards truffles and MSL Analysis offers a testing service to advise on the suitability of your land for truffles, as well as DNA testing of truffles and tree-root tips to define the truffle species present or indeed, if you have truffle inoculated trees. For more information or to get an order form please contact: shop@mycorrhizalsystems.com or Tel: +44 (0)1422 844 095

Four Oaks Trade Show (UK)
The Four Oaks Trade Show is commercial horticultural show now in its 40th year. The free event in Cheshire, running over the 7th and 8th of September is one of Europe's largest and a regular feature on our annual calendar . Mycorrhizal systems will be exhibiting there during this time and we will be stocked up with truffle oil and bread for tastings, truffle trees, and fresh truffles for display and to take home. Please do come down and see us on stand E 31 to chat about the wonderful world of truffles. For more information and directions see: www.fouroaks-tradeshow.com

Truffle hunters sniff out markets
The Perigord black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) from Australia have added a new destination to their rapidly increasing market, and made their debut appearance in South Korea this week. Australia's Truffle industry seems to be taking off having produced about 1.5 tonnes of Perigord black truffle last year, and with production predicted to exceed 2 tonnes this year and 5 tonnes within the next few years. With the opening of new markets for Australian truffles, it makes truffle cultivation within the country a very attractive prospect. If you would like more information about this, or if you are interested in cultivating your own Truffles please contact us at shop@plantationsystems.com, +44 (0)1422 844 095 or to find out specifically about truffle cultivation in Australia, please visit www.truffles.net.au