WILLMAR -- A series of grain drying and marketing seminars are scheduled for Jan. 19 and 20 in Willmar and Alexandria and are designed to provide growers information on how to increase grain dryer and handling capacity.
Dr. Ken Hellevang, Extension ag engineer at North Dakota State University in Fargo, will address the need many corn growers face of how to dry and handle wet grain in an efficient manner. His presentation will take a look at how grain drying systems have changed over the years and what growers need to consider to make their operations more efficient.
Hellevang will discuss the different grain drying systems available, strengths and weaknesses of each, how existing systems can be updated, as well as managing the 2009 crop in storage. He has 29 years of experience in grain drying as the Extension specialist.
Growers will also have an opportunity to learn more about the grain market outlook for 2010. Mark Schultz of Northstar Commodity Investment Co. will address the global economy and address China, the grain consuming machine. He will also review currency markets, the energy outlook, corn and soybean usage and exports, plus give an outlook on the grain market. Schultz is chief market analyst with Northstar Commodity.
The local programs will be from 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Willmar Holiday Inn and from 8 to 11:15 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Alexandria Holiday Inn. For more information, growers can contact Gold Country Seed at 1-800-795-8544. Registration for each location is encouraged but not required.
