Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Steve Amosson, 806-677-5600, samosson@ag.tamu.edu
AMARILLO – The 26th consecutive year of grain grading workshops hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be held May 5-6, according to Dr. Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension economist in Amarillo.
The back-to-back, day-long trainings will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. each day followed by the program from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd. in Amarillo.
The program is designed for corn, sorghum and wheat grain handlers and producers, Amosson said. Information from the workshop will help participants recognize the different types of damage that occur in these grains and how the damages affect grade.
A registration fee of $75 is required to cover the costs associated with instruction, lunch, materials and equipment, he said. Preregistration is required, as each workshop is limited to 60 participants. The last day for registration is May 4.
To register, go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and click on the link in the Upcoming Events section. While this is the preferred method of registration and payment, payment can be made at the door for those who already registered, Amosson said.
Six certified crop advisor continuing education units in crop management will be offered each day and can count toward the Texas Cattle Feeders Association Beef Quality Assurance training for feedmill/feed department employees, he said.
The grain grading workshops are co-sponsored by the Panhandle Grain and Feed Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and AgriLife Extension.
Course instructors will be Amosson; Gale Calkins, retired from the Federal Grain Inspection Service, Wichita, Kan.; Dr. Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Amarillo; and Dr. James Welch, AgriLife Extension economist-grain marketing and policy, College Station.
Topics covered will include: why grade grain; grain quality and the feedlot industry; grain standards and upcoming changes; and hands-on sessions for identifying damages and grades in wheat, sorghum and corn.
For more information, contact Kim Garcia at 806-677-5600.
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