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GEAPS, Iowa State University Partner on Advanced Operations Course

Published: Mar 03, 2021 by Rebecca Jackson

GEAPS, Iowa State University Partner on Advanced Operations Course

The Grain Elevator and Processing Society announces today a new partnership with Iowa State University to deliver the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative Advanced Grain Elevator Operations Management Virtual Course, May 10-14.

The course costs $450 for GEAPS members and $500 for non-members. Registration initially opens for GEAPS members today and runs through April 16. If spots remain, anyone is invited to register from Saturday, April 17, until registration closes on Wednesday, May 5.

This advanced course is a resource for grain elevator operations managers looking to improve the way they maintain quality and minimize shrink. The course 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.”

For GEAPS, this is the latest in a series of partnerships announced in the last year to help provide more value for members. According to Executive Director Steve Records it delivers on GEAPS’ mission by delivering subject matter expertise from across the industry.

“We are very excited to be working with Iowa State University,” Records said. “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 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.

About Iowa Grain Quality Initiative

The Iowa Grain Quality Initiative (IGQI) is a cutting edge grain quality research and information program. The interdisciplinary project performs the “rapid response function” at Iowa State University for the grain industry. Through diverse expertise of affiliated faculty and the use of information technology, the project has addressed grain production and processing topics quickly, giving producers and agribusinesses the information needed to make business decisions. Challenges related to genetically modified grains have accelerated the use of alternative delivery systems.

About GEAPS

The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) is an international professional association of grain handling and processing professionals. GEAPS addresses the industry’s critical grain handling, storage and processing operations needs by providing networking, professional development programs and access to a global marketplace of industry suppliers. GEAPS’ global network includes more than 2,200 individual members from about 1,050 companies. Join our network today!