Purdue News

October 14, 2002 Grain workshop puts learning in palm of your hand WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After a difficult crop year, farmers can't afford insects and diseases infiltrating their harvested grain. Producers and commercial grain handlers can learn how to keep the destructive duo at bay during the annual Purdue University Hands-on Post Harvest Training and Recertification Workshop. The workshop takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Purdue Extension Marion County office, located at 6640 Intech Blvd., Suite 120, Indianapolis. Intech Boulevard is off North 71st Street between I-65 and I-465, on Indianapolis' northwest side. Workshop sessions will cover a broad variety of grain storage issues, said Linda Mason, a Purdue entomologist and workshop coordinator. "The main focus is on stored grain as we approach the winter," Mason said. "We'll look at what kinds of insect problems we anticipate and how to prevent them, monitoring and identifying molds and mycotoxins in grain, and how to use fumigants safely and properly." Another topic to be addressed is moisture content. Because much of the crop was planted late this past spring, many farmers are harvesting grain with higher moisture levels. "We're planning a session on grain management issues," Mason said. "The session will cover aeration, fan calibration and dryer operation in order to get the most from your drying operations. It will also cover grain temperature management and removing excessive moisture without losing grain quality." As the title indicates, the workshop involves "hands-on" activities. Participants will identify insects, examine grain mold and mycotoxins, and take part in aeration exercises, among others. Workshop speakers include Mason; Dirk Maier, a Purdue agricultural engineer; and Charles Woloshuk, a Purdue plant pathologist. The three speakers are members of the Purdue Grain Quality Team. Purdue Extension and the Indiana Grain and Feed Association are co-sponsoring the event. Those attending the workshop are eligible for up to 12 continuing credit hours. Certified Crop Advisors can qualify for certification credits in pest and crop management. Registration is limited to 50. Fees are $70 for those registering by Oct. 31 and $80 after. For advance registration, make checks payable to the Indiana Grain and Feed Association, c/o Joy Melnyk, Member Services, 4320 Linton Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46226. Information to be enclosed with payment includes your name, company, address, and telephone and fax numbers. Registration questions should be directed to Melnyk. She can be reached at (317) 684-5438 or via e-mail at jmelnyk@inagribiz.org. For more information about workshop content, contact Mason at (765) 494-4586 or by e-mail at linda_mason@entm.purdue.edu. A workshop brochure with a registration form and directions to the Purdue Extension Marion County office can be downloaded online. CONTACT: Linda Mason, (765) 494-4586, linda_mason@entm.purdue.edu. Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgComm/public/agnews/ Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page