Manhattan, KS - Successfully milling grain requires many people who have an array of knowledge on how the milling process works.
To cater to that, Kansas State University’s IGP Institute partnered with Buhler, Inc. to educate 11 participants through the Buhler–KSU Executive Milling and the Buhler–KSU Flowsheet Technology courses.
The Buhler–KSU Executive Milling course held from November 4–8, 2019, is designed for mill owners, managers and directors who do not have practical milling backgrounds.
Participants gain the skills to understand the challenges that their operations staff may encounter, as well as giving an overall view of the milling process.
“This course gave a high-level view of the milling systems and how they work together to produce a high quality and food safe product,” says Jason Watt, Buhler Instructor of Milling.
This course covered a multitude of topics within milling systems such as raw material, system design, finished product handling and storage, factors influencing investment decisions as well as many more.
The Buhler–KSU Flowsheet Technology course held November 11–15, 2019 was geared toward experienced milling professionals wanting to have additional knowledge in advanced approaches for successful milling operations.
“We discussed technology advancements, as well as new approaches to the process that will increase participant’s yield, operational reliability and product quality,” says Watt.
"Participants of both courses utilized the application of hands-on learning in conjunction with classroom lectures through the Hal Ross Flour Mill.
According to participant Phillip Murphy, technology team member at Bay State Milling, the hands-on practicum helps with his understanding of the content taught in the course.
“What I really loved about it is that there is a mill on site.
"Having the practical hands-on side as well as the theoretical side you learn ‘This is how it’s supposed to work, now let’s go do it.’ Letting us do hands-on tweaking in the mill and doing lab measurements has been extremely helpful,” says Murphy.
This is one example of courses the IGP Institute offers in the flour milling and grain processing area.
Trainings are also available in grain marketing and risk management, as well as feed manufacturing and grain quality management.
For more information, please contact Kelly Boswell at kelly12@ksu.edu