The Iowa Grain Quality Initiative is partnering with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa to offer a weeklong course in advanced grain elevator operations management. It will be taught at Iowa State University in Ames Jan. 8-12.

“We are excited to partner with ISU to offer this course for grain elevator managers in Iowa and the surrounding area,” says Joel Brinkmeyer, CEO of AAI. “The close relationship between IGQI and the AAI grain committee keeps our members updated with information on the latest technology, seasonal challenges and regulatory changes. This course is a new opportunity to provide professional development for front-line operations managers and location superintendents.”

The 1,100 members of AAI represent a wide range of ag-related businesses, including more than 95% of all grain facilities in Iowa.

New technologies and risk management

“AAI is on our IGQI advisory council, and we’ve been discussing different approaches to partner with them in delivering educational offerings to their members and the Iowa grain industry,” says Charles Hurburgh, grain quality specialist with ISU Extension. “The technologies and risk management required of grain elevators are quickly turning grain handling into an industrial supply chain. This course will help current operators be on the leading edge of this transformation.”

Dirk Maier, professor of grain and feed operations and processing at ISU and a member of the IGQI management team, will lead the course. “Managing grain for maximum quality and quantity during handling, drying and storage is key to profitability of a grain elevator,” Maier says. “Operations personnel carry a critical responsibility for minimizing shrink loss and maximizing quality. This course will teach the scientific principles and advanced practical skills to further increase the professional competence of grain industry employees.”

Managing grain to preserve quality, value
The course will be team-taught by Bob Marlow, owner of Operations Professional Services and a well-known speaker and trainer with over 40 years of grain industry experience. Each attendee will receive the book “Managing Stored Grain to Preserve Quality and Value” by Carl Reed, a grain storage specialist, formerly with Kansas State University. Topics will include personnel management, operations costs, grain quality characteristics and measurement, air properties for drying and cooling, handling and conveying to minimize grain breakage, principles of grain drying and conditioning, grain monitoring and aeration control, and managing shrink loss to maximize profit. The emphasis of all topics will be on operating economics.

The course will be registered for participants to earn three continuing education units through ISU, transferable toward maintaining existing grain industry credentials. Registered professional engineers will be able to submit course participation to count toward professional development hours.

For more information or inquiries, contact Dirk Maier at 515-294-0140 or [email protected].

Source: Iowa State University