Exchange Education Tracks

Correct installation is as important as specifying the correct mechanical component. Often the lack of training or installation know-how may result in shorter component life that leads to downtime. By covering the basics of correct installation and reviewing new designs that aid in installation, the operators will maximize the life of the mechanical components. In addition to installation, the ability to monitor bearing and gearing vibration and temperature will aid in preventing unplanned downtime. Lastly, safety procedures and attachments are often overlooked and could lead to injuries and downtime if not considered as part of correct installation. This station will have three individual demo units on Gearing, Bearing and PT Components. Come ready to interactively experience all three demos!
1) Gearing: How to mount a shaft mount reducer to the shaft, safety cover attachment and reducer monitoring
2) Bearing: Different bearing attachments to shafts, bearing types, bearing monitoring, etc.
3) PT Components: Installing different bushings, couplings, v-belts, etc.

Speakers

Brad DroegmillerDodge IndustrialSenior Territory Manager

Charles GubserDodge IndustrialProduct Specialist-Heavy Duty Gearing

Jordan AndersonDodge IndustrialProduct Specialist-Mounted Bearings

Hunter BrookingDodge IndustrialGlobal Product Manager-Bulk Material Handling

Many sites have homemade solutions for belt maintenance such as angle iron or even 2×4’s for belt clamps, but they have not been engineered to hold a specific amount of weight and failure could be catastrophic. Engineered solutions such as beltcutters eliminate the safety risk of cutting yourself and costly medical bills. Many people take short cuts when performing belt fastener installation like not squaring the belt and not skiving the belt when belt covers allow for it. These shortcuts can result in premature splice failure and increased downtime. Each application and conveyor is different so you may not be using the correct fastener type, size or material. Following easy steps will ensure the correct fastener is being used. Lastly, throughout the years, fastener installation training has been passed down but is it being done correctly? A quick review of the steps will ensure installation steps and best practices are being followed and why they are important. Hands on training will include squaring the belt, skiving the belt, and BSP or BR installation steps.

Speakers

Marc MondiFlexcoTerritory Manager

Join our maintenance professionals in discussing everyday reliability issues at facilities just like yours. Our interactive panel will share their past experiences and best practices to keep your plant operating with less downtime and improved uptime. Come prepared with your questions to this open discussion and see how your peers handle situations. There will be plenty of time for Q & A!

This panel discussion will be facilitated by Scott Biel, Director of Safety, MKC . The three panelists offer wealth of knowledge on maintenance. Come ready to interact in a great discussion.

Speakers

Jon BrownMKC – Mid Kansas CoopDirector of Facilities – Project Manager

Jeremy DavisADMRCM Director Ag Services

Craig FroehlingCargillEngineering Lead

Scott BielMKC – Mid Kansas CoopDirector of Safety

Most grain facilities have a scheduled maintenance strategy that helps keep the system up and running. While this is a good baseline, it’s not necessarily the most cost-effective strategy and doesn’t catch everything. What if you could detect an issue, such as overheating, or determine the health of individual components, such as IGBTs, filters, or capacitors, before they cause downtime? Learn how you prepare for success by moving from preventative to predictive maintenance. In addition to regular maintenance, this means you can evaluate what’s happening in real-time to address issues before your system goes down, taking your facilities’ productivity with it.

Speakers

Jim NeaweddeABBSegment Lead, Food & Beverage

Screw conveyors are widely used for being compact, fully-enclosed & inexpensive. This also means that they are often run until catastrophic failure, rather than simple visual or electronic inspection points. This session is intended to discuss the functional difference between the internal & external components, the critical items to periodically inspect, and the available controls for advanced, predictive maintenance. If your mill uses screw conveyors, or you operate load-out trucks with the same equipment, this session is intended to schedule repairs (rather than your equipment scheduling it for you). It will also help you understand critical dimensions so that you can measure & obtain the correct replacement parts with confidence.

Speakers

Jeff WeaverMartin Sprocket & GearProduct Manager, Screw Conveyor

Ever ask yourself what you should be looking at when doing maintenance on chain conveyors? Besides greasing the bearings and changing oil in the gear box, how do you know if your chain or sprockets are actually worn out or just showing signs of wear? What about the liners and return rails? Come learn what to look for when opening up your chain conveyors to do an inspection, how often this should be done, and see firsthand the warning signs that it’s time to order replacement parts before that catastrophic event happens. A sample chain conveyor maintenance checklist will be provided.

Speakers

Wade SpencerBulk Conveyors IncVP of Sales

Getting the most production from your bucket elevators requires looking at a lot of different factors. It’s important to understand how some minor parts of a bucket elevator can have a major effect on production. In this presentation, Dean will point out examples where maintenance problems were an issue caused by lack of employee training. All employees who work with bucket elevators or have management over them need to understand how to achieve meaningful inspections. A record of meaningful inspections can translate into longer life for a bucket elevator and its components. It’s important to be realistic about the maximum production you can get with a current bucket elevator. It’s also important to understand how all the other equipment in a facility can affect bucket elevator performance.

Speakers

Dean WedekindMaxi-Lift IncTechnical Sales Specialist

Often downtime is blamed on poor maintenance or lack of maintenance. Undoubtedly proper maintenance is important in keeping conveyors in uptime and not downtime. However, there are several operators with exceptional maintenance that struggle with downtime. A contributing and often overlooked cause of downtime is the conveyor’s gear reducer selection. A mechanical failure is not always a result of poor maintenance, but rather a lack of knowledge of the components that make up the conveyor. In this session you will learn how to select a gear reducer, the difference between class of service and service class, common application errors, best practices in maintaining gear reducers and safety practices.

Speakers

Brad DroegmillerDodge IndustrialSenior Territory Manager

Pulley and Idlers have many available options but are designed in a general way for many industries. In the grain industry, due to the use of light weight belts and the critical nature of the industry, many options are available to increase belt life and reliability. Throughout this presentation these options are discussed. In addition, from his field experience, Dallas will provide useful insight to help you improve your current conveyor systems and be more equipped to plan for the future. This session will cover pulley design and technology, pulley specification for the grain industry, idlers in grain application, idler junction importance, and belt transition distance importance. Questions are encouraged!

Speakers

Dallas HouchinsPrecision Inc./Precision Pulley & IdlerField Applications Engineer

The whole purpose of using a truck probe is to obtain a sample that is graded in your lab. The grade given to that sample determines the dollar amount paid to that farmer bringing in his grain. If you are not making sure your truck probe is properly balanced and is in good mechanical order you are losing money on every truck by not making sure you have an accurate sample. If you know what FM is, you know how important it is to the cost of the grain coming into your facility. Are your operators knowledgeable to know when the truck probe is having issues? Are your maintenance technicians knowledgable enough to prevent down time? In this session you will understand who is losing money and the importance of accuracy, speed, efficiency and maintenance.

Speakers

Cody LevensAuthorized Grain Service, LLCCOO

This station will review primary problems for dust collectors. Participants will learn how to identify, analyze and troubleshoot dust collectors that exhibit source/stack emissions and/or lack of airflow. There will be an emphasis on identifying root cause failure originating from effects of Air-to-Media Ratio, Can/Interstitial Velocity, Ductwork Design, Fan Effects, Static Pressure Impact, Filter Media Failure and the Pulse Jet Cleaning System. Come see some show and tell of the various components.

Speakers

Neal YoungDonaldson Company IncTerritory Manager

Many agriculture businesses have very few or no resources focused on human resources — and typical HR resources in small to medium size ag businesses are focused on the day-to-day operations, compliance, payroll and benefits administration. There is limited access to resources for business leaders to ask for advice around complex or strategic issues. This station is set up as a resource for business leaders to ask your HR questions. Do you have a burning questions around a human resource issue that you would like help with? Come speak with an HR expert or learn from others’ questions to get answers to complex questions to help align your people strategies with your business strategies.

Speakers

Kristen IrelandPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

Erin MiesPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

As we think about where we are at this moment in time it goes without saying that we are experiencing an unprecedented level of uncertainty in our personal and professional lives. Where Do We Go From Here examines key issues, including but not limited to, motivation, wellness, change, personal responsibility, accountability, leadership and personal branding. Each of these areas is essential to creating the conditions for a more stable environment leading to the attainment of personal and professional goals and objectives. Participants will acquire easily transferrable knowledge about these areas that can be implemented seamlessly in their work and personal lives to effect positive change.

Speakers

Julius Rhodesmpr groupFounder and Principal

Dr. Margaret Boyd-OwensMoving Barriers To Opportunities Consulting Services IncorporatedFounder and CEO

Competition for employees, growing an organization and retaining employees are not easy. Because of these issues, developing an organization that is profitable, productive and growing is a big challenge facing businesses today. Employees want to know that they are valued and that their work matters. Prioritizing employees is the key! In this presentation, you will learn why organizational culture is important and that engaging your employees can be more profitable! The session will give you practical applications to develop the culture that will help your organization be the place people want to work for.

Speakers

Timothy SeeleyTLS Legacy CoachingOwner

How often do you walk by an employee and think “something seems off, but I can’t put my finger on it…,” “they seem quieter than normal today, I wonder what’s going on…,” or “this isn’t like them…”? If you’re like most people, we may wonder these things, and we choose to walk past without saying anything. We walk past the opportunity out of fear: fear of not saying the right thing, being nosy, getting too personal. The thing is that those moments that we choose to walk by are the same moments that our employees may need us most. These are moments that we show we care about our employees and want to support them. These are also the moments that define whether an employee chooses to stay or leave – based on how they’re treated. Do they feel noticed? Do they feel heard? Do they feel ignored? In this session we will discuss how to step confidently into these conversations using a few simple, practical tools.

Speakers

Kristen IrelandPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

Erin MiesPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

Many agriculture businesses have very few or no resources focused on human resources — and typical HR resources in small to medium size ag businesses are focused on the day-to-day operations, compliance, payroll and benefits administration. There is limited access to resources for business leaders to ask for advice around complex or strategic issues. This station is set up as a resource for business leaders to ask your HR questions. Do you have a burning questions around a human resource issue that you would like help with? Come speak with an HR expert or learn from others’ questions to get answers to complex questions to help align your people strategies with your business strategies.

Speakers

Erin MiesPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

Kristen IrelandPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

Come join us for an interactive discussion on real world issues leaders are faced within today’s challenging workplace.  Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive a bit deeper on how to have difficult conversations, juggle multiple priorities, and establish healthy workplaces.  We will explore practical actions leaders can take to achieve success in each of these areas.

Speakers

Dorene MacVey, PCC, CPC ithrive31Founder and Head Coach

Stacey Walterithrive31Leadership and Personal Development Coach

Workers in the grain industry may be exposed daily to a number of health hazards from dust and noise to infectious disease. Insurance data shows that the physical health of a facility’s workers is directly related to the economic health of the company and the workers. There are simple solutions to reducing health hazards in grain handling facilities that can be easily incorporated into general practice. Including these practices into safety trainings and into a company’s risk management plan can reduce lost-time hours and improve the overall health of a business.

Speakers

Ellen DuysenCentral States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, UNMCResearch Assistant Professor

We all know employee expectations are changing. A recent LHH report reported that employee concern on the issue of well-being was the most significant increase by employees, rising 17% across all demographics. As workplaces evolve to meet the changing needs of employees, leaders must also pay attention to their own mental, physical and emotional health. During this panel discussion, we will be exploring how leaders are facing these challenges, for themselves and their employees.

This panel discussion will be facilitated by Dorene MacVey, Founder and Head Coach at ithrive31. The three panelists bring a diverse array of knowledge and experience to the table. This will be a great conversation not to miss.

Speakers

Dorene MacVey, PCC, CPC ithrive31Founder and Head Coach

Cheyenne WohlfordCCS GroupPresident/CEO

Dave AllenAgri-SearchPresident

Jeni FlachCargillMaintenance Planner and Scheduler

Most “new” strategies attempt to find “new” ways to solve old “new” problems. The problem with this is a lack of historical
context and a tendency to disregard the true root of the problem. All that is needed to resolve any problem is the appropriate
amount of skill, will and resources. These are all delivered from the people you hire. At the end of the day, your problems, are
people problems. Understanding people, their motivations and how to effectively lead them is at the core of the solution. Come learn strategies to retain current talent, reduce employee burnout and more.

Speakers

Matthew LostagliaResilient Talent SolutionsFounder/President

Employee recruitment and retention continues to be the largest risk facing businesses today. Today’s purpose-driven workforce has legitimate culture and environmental expectations and are not satisfied with lip service. Now is the time to listen, learn, and support your team. And that takes significant effort and alignment from those leading the business. In this session, we’ll look at how one business invested in a culture program that resulted in unprecedent retention and recruitment numbers in one of the most challenging periods of time in business history. Leave with a clearer path on how to get started on building or growing an intentional employee-centered culture building program.

Speakers

Lawrence Cunningham Keen Project SolutionsDirector of Business Development, Gallups Certified Strengths Coach

Many agriculture businesses have very few or no resources focused on human resources — and typical HR resources in small to medium size ag businesses are focused on the day-to-day operations, compliance, payroll and benefits administration. There is limited access to resources for business leaders to ask for advice around complex or strategic issues. This station is set up as a resource for business leaders to ask your HR questions. Do you have a burning questions around a human resource issue that you would like help with? Come speak with an HR expert or learn from others’ questions to get answers to complex questions to help align your people strategies with your business strategies.

Speakers

Kristen IrelandPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

Erin MiesPeople Spark ConsultingCo-Founder

In many agricultural products handling and processing systems combustible dust presents a potential explosion hazard. These hazards can be managed through the application of explosion prevention and protection solutions however these solutions are not one size fits all. Join us for a highlight of explosion safety options compliant with NFPA standards and key considerations such as selection, certification and maintenance to ensure effective and reliable explosion protection for your plant and personnel.

This is your chance to see explosion safety live in action as we conclude the session with a live explosion demonstration and an example of flameless venting technology.

Speakers

Jeramy SlaunwhiteRembe IncChief Technical Officer – Explosion Safety

In many agricultural products handling and processing systems combustible dust presents a potential explosion hazard. These hazards can be managed through the application of explosion prevention and protection solutions however these solutions are not one size fits all. Join us for a highlight of explosion safety options compliant with NFPA standards and key considerations such as selection, certification and maintenance to ensure effective and reliable explosion protection for your plant and personnel.

This is your chance to see explosion safety live in action as we conclude the session with a live explosion demonstration and an example of flameless venting technology.

Speakers

Jeramy SlaunwhiteRembe IncChief Technical Officer – Explosion Safety

Your logo really looks sharp on all of your company vehicles, but that logo might as well be a bullseye for an accident attorney. If one of your vehicles is involved in an accident you better lawyer up because you can bet that you’ll be invited to the party. In 2021, the average jury verdict against a commercial fleet was $22 million, up nearly 10x from a decade ago. While you’re focused on plant safety and PPE, your trucks are an accident waiting to happen. In this session you will start to understand your fleet risks, how to quantify them and how to manage them.

Speakers

Flint HolbrookTruckSpy Inc. President

Update on emerging regulatory issues within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Topics will include OSHA’s policies, rulemakings and interpretations as well as continued enforcement within the grain handling industry through National, Regional and Local Emphasis Programs including heat injury and illness. In addition, Jess will provide an overview of the National Fire Protection Association’s combustible dust standards.

Speakers

Jess McCluerNGFAVice President, Safety and Regulatory Affairs

Frank will provide an interactive demonstration on the key features and benefits of incorporating intelligent magnetic separators into the grain production process. He will provide the audience with information on the three main locations to place magnetic separation equipment in a grain facility for effective metal control. The best way to keep metal out of the final product is to keep it from coming into the plant in the first place so facilities can monitor vendor unloading to identify the presence of ferrous metal. Another benefit of using intelligent magnets at the finishing magnet is the packaging or load out system does not need to shut down for unnecessary magnet cleanings. If the intelligent magnet shows that no metal has been captured, the system does not need to be shut down for cleaning, resulting in higher uptime for the system.

Speakers

Kris TennysonMPI Magnetic Products IncDirector of Sales

Learn how to keep your facility safe and compliant without depending on manual labor for housekeeping.

Speakers

Jordan NewtonSonicAireChief Operating Officer

Effective leadership development systems require customization related to real issues and exposures the organization is dealing with. Once a better understanding of the organization’s past efforts is established, it becomes easier to recognize the foundational elements that carry the highest probability of success. Expecting leaders to develop skills and capabilities by reading books or watching videos is unrealistic. Organizations that are serious about strengthening their safety leadership understand it is crucial to invest in a system that delivers tangible results. That comprehensive system means organizations will experience fewer injuries, enjoy a more engaged workforce, see lower turnover, and experience higher levels of performance than ever thought possible. In this session, learn the key elements to organizational safety.

Speakers

Corey HopkinsDEKRAPrincipal Consultant

This session will introduce the concept of safety culture/climate and discuss its potential impact on employee compliance with safety practices. Adherence to safety practices is influenced by employee’s perception of the relative importance the company places on safety versus other priorities such as meeting production goals. A corporate-level priority on safety may be diminished as it makes its way through the organization. This can be due to many factors such as inadequate resourcing, unintended outcomes of incentive programs, supervisor attitudes, and peer influences. Understanding the factors that influence safety culture can allow better risk management of environmental health and safety issues.

Speakers

Dr. Kevin Moore Oklahoma State UniversityAssistant Professor

Cyber attacks have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and there’s no end in sight. There’s no way to predict a cyberattack, whether by a lack of security solutions or a careless employee opening some type of malicious attachment. Get crucial tips to keep your business safe and secure.

Speakers

Burton KelsoIntegralChief Tech Expert

Update on how to prevent grain dryer fires and dust explosions by having an emergency plan in place.

Speakers

Jess McCluerNGFAVice President, Safety and Regulatory Affairs

Because the safe operation of a grain facility is our primary concern, everyone directly involved in the operation of a grain facility will benefit from attending this interactive station. Review basics of dust hazard monitoring, then partake in a combination of demonstrations on functioning bucket elevator with live online monitoring & video demonstration. Attendees are invited to try out the testing tools for yourselves on our demonstration bucket elevator. You can also sign up for a free demo account to preview and investigate the online tool. At the end of this session, gain access to a 48-page printed reference on hazard monitoring equipment selection, installation and maintenance.

Speakers

Anthony Leali4B ComponentsBusiness Development Manager, Electronic Products

In this station you will learn/see:

• Basics of Fall Protection Program
• Qualifications for a competent person
• Demos for inspections of SRL’s/Harnesses/Lanyards/Anchor Straps/Ropes/ Rope grabs & D-ring extensions
• Pro & Cons of Harness Economics

Speakers

Mark McQuillanM&M Specialty Services LLCOwner

Our QR code technology can provide customers with a safer and more efficient work environment. The QR code technology will also help to educate employees about the equipment specs and operations. This education will help facilities operate the equipment using best practices. Facilities will also see less downtime due to using the best practices within the QR code technology. The QR code technology can also provide maintenance records for individual pieces of equipment.

Speakers

Brett BuchananBulk Conveyors IncCFO

Interstices, the star shape bins that are formed in groups of silos where four round silos meet, have been used for decades.
However, based on past inspections of silo groups, many interstices were not designed properly. This presentation will discuss
some of the technical reasons to caution on the use of interstices. It will also give warning signs/conditions to seek at existing
facilities, and discuss repair options.

Speakers

Gerry K. LynskeySSI ConsultingPrincipal

The presentation will walk the audience through a project lifecycle, focusing on following the money. The presentation starts with planning, such as developing budgets and scope, estimating risks, and developing charters/accounting standards. Following this will be the Procurement phase with discussion on how to bid work as well as negotiate prices. During the construction phase, the presentation will shift into implementation such as utilizing a solid a change and cost management process to enable cost forecasts. The presentation will end on the topic of project closeout, claims settlements, and distributions of remaining funds.

Speakers

Mark Herbert Faithful+GouldProject Controls Manager

Greg FranzenFaithful+GouldAgrifood Sector Lead

Hate taking inventory? Tired of climbing grain bins? Need to know how much headspace is in a bin? Short-staffed looking for an easier way? AgriView transforms how agricultural cooperatives, seed companies and suppliers of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals manage inventory stored in bins, tanks, or silos using automation. Levels are measured using non-contact radar, SmartBob, or battery-powered laser level sensors that install simply, while wireless devices and gateways cut the cost of installation. AgriView cloud inventory gives you real-time levels, quick visual views, truckload information and automated text or email alerts anytime, anywhere you need it on your phone or PC. Kiss spreadsheets goodbye! Come see real-life install photos and animated videos for an up-close glance at this automated inventory solution.

Speakers

Mike MossageBinMasterVice President of Sales

Opening the wrong unloading gate, using unauthorized outlets and modifying unloading systems are among the major factors that can cause bin failures. Quite often these are innocent mistakes made by people who don’t understand the ramifications of these actions. By better understanding what is happening in the bin, operators can prevent more serious failures. This session will use bin cutaways to show different flow patterns, demonstrate how a side draw unloading system works, and use plastic bins to show effects of eccentric unloading/filling. It will use real world examples and a chance to interact with the demos. Bring your questions.

Speakers

Tom Nealey PEAg Facility Engineers, PCPresident

Cleaning used to be for seed and capacities were less than 40 mtph. In Canada, exports required cleaning and this required large investments at terminals. Now we have high-capacity cleaners that can clean 300 mpth. These can now support high export volumes at a reasonable cost. What has changed with the technology to make this happen? This presentation will cover machine operation and design, popular cleaning flows, special separations, recent developments and economics for cleaning.

Speakers

Glen FosterGF4Z Design SolutionsPresident

The safe storage moisture content of different hybrids of grains are not the same. This information is very essential to keep the grain safe in storage. The equilibrium moisture content characteristics of any grain gives information about the accurate safe storage moisture content at various grain temperatures. It also gives information about whether the current ambient air conditions will add or remove moisture in the grain mass. Hydrating soybeans gives economic benefits to farmers and producers.

Speakers

John Lawrence, PhD, PEAGI DigitalLead Grain Researcher

Many facilities have energy metering equipment collecting data that’s not being used. Other facilities don’t have metering, and when there is a problem, temporary monitoring must be purchased to solve energy issues. As companies seek to drive continuous improvement, energy efficiency and sustainability goals through system adjustments, it’s important to be able to measure the impact of those changes. This session will cover the “how” of energy savings using an energy management system and provide practical examples of next steps you can take for your facilities.

Speakers

Matt Zabel Faith TechnologiesElectrical Engineer

Increasing numbers of US companies are looking to exporting to grow their businesses. How do you find the best markets for your products? Do you need a partner to help sell your products? Will payments for your products be safe and secure? How will you get it to your customer? Join us at this Export 101 session and learn how to prepare your company for the international marketplace: market, sell, and ship to customers worldwide.

Additional items to be covered during session include working with foreign sales partners, getting paid for international sales, getting your product to market: logistics & documentation and resources & programs. 

Speakers

A.J. AndersonU.S. Commercial Service/U.S. Department of CommerceDirector

Meredith BondU.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade AdministrationDirector

For our customers, grain quality is top priority. Keeping costs low is often a close second. We want participants to understand how you can maintain grain quality on outside piles in budget-friendly and innovative ways. We will provide photos, videos, and real life experience to show grain elevators with outside storage how to make small changes that will save grain quality, time and money. We’ve got some pretty cool ways to keep tarps on piles and we’re excited to share them with you!

Speakers

Brandee PolandSoles Enterprises Inc.Sales and Marketing Manager