MINNEAPOLS, MINNESOTA, US —The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) is partnering with Iowa State University to offer the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative Advanced Grain Elevator Operations Management Virtual Course.
The course will be hosted May 10-14 and will cost $450 for GEAPS members and $500 for non-members. Registration initially opens for GEAPS members March 31 and runs through April 16. If spots remain, anyone is invited to register from April 17, until registration closes on May 5.
This course is geared toward grain elevator operations managers looking to improve the way they maintain quality and minimize shrink. It focuses on advanced engineering and scientific concepts of stored grain quality management.
“This course focuses on advanced topics and tools that participants can apply immediately to improve and fine-tune their management of stored corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum and other crops,” said Dirk Maier, lead instructor and professor at Iowa State University. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with GEAPS in reaching a larger audience by offering this course virtually. We know from past participants that they have saved thousands of dollars by preventing spoilage, lowering electricity costs and reducing shrink loss.”
The five-day course is completely virtual from 8-11:30 a.m. CDT over five days. Topics include:
- Air and grain properties
- Grain condition monitoring
- Aeration principles
- Shrink Management
In addition to virtual lectures, participants will apply lessons to real-world problems in breakout rooms. Problems will require attendees to evaluate monitored grain conditions, select appropriate fans for aeration and utilize weather forecast to mitigate its effect on aeration.
The course is taught by: Professor Dirk E. Maier; Professor Charlie Hurburgh; and agricultural engineers Mike Sserunjogi and George Obeng-Akrofi from Iowa State University.
The partnership with Iowa State University is the newest endeavor for GEAPS in working to provide more value for members.
“We are very excited to be working with Iowa State University,” said Steve Records, executive director of GEAPS. “Along with partnerships with the American Feed Industry Association and North Dakota State University Northern Crops Institute, we are working to ensure our members have easy access to the best tools and training in the industry, no matter where they are based. By joining GEAPS, members not only benefit from access to our network of thousands of industry peers, they also get access to programs and subject matter experts like this to make sure they can maintain their plants’ financial viability.”
The Iowa Grain Quality Initiative (IGQI) is a grain quality research and information program. The interdisciplinary project performs the “rapid response function” at Iowa State University for the grain industry. Through the expertise of affiliated faculty and the use of information technology, the project has addressed grain production and processing topics, giving producers and agribusinesses the information needed to make business decisions.
For more information about the course or to register please visit the GEAPS website.
