The ginners school will be offered at three locations in 2011. Cooperators for the school include USDA-ARS, National Cotton Ginners' Association and its member associations, National Cotton Council, Cotton Incorporated, gin machinery/equipment manufacturers and suppliers, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and select land grant universities. Please note that the Gin Schools are for the exclusive use of the U.S. cotton ginning industry.   

Gin School Registration

2011 Gin School Details (255 Kb pdf)

(Tentative) Course Dates for 2012

Course Descriptions

Each level of ginners school coursework is built on the previous level of instruction, with Level I as the foundation. Therefore, the school’s coordinators strongly recommend that beginning students, regardless of gin experience, start with Level I.

Level I

Introduction to Cotton Ginning and Ginning Demonstration
Basic Gin Safety
Basic Hydraulics
Air Utilization
Electricity in the Gin
Maintenance and Adjustment for Seed Cotton Cleaners, Gin Stands and Lint Cleaners
Maintenance of Auxiliary Components
Classing Cotton
Moisture Measurement
Review of the Cotton Industry
Waste Collection and Disposal

 Level II

Purpose and Operating Principles of Individual
Gin Machines
Efficient Operation, Adjustment, and
Maintenance of Gin Equipment
Pneumatics and Waste Collection
Electrical Systems
Hydraulic Systems
Gin Safety
Management Tips
Roller Ginning (at the Western School only)

Level III

Review of Functions of a Ginning System
Electrical Systems
Air Systems in the Gin
Drying and Moisture Restoration Systems
Matching Machinery Capacities in the System
Seed Cotton Unloading Systems and
Management of Seed Cotton Handling Systems
Bale Presses and Hydraulic Systems
Safety Programs and Labor Regulations
Cottonseed Handling Systems
Roller Ginning (at the Western School only)

Continuing Education Course 

Stoneville Gin School Continuing Education Schedule

Tuesday, June 14

8:00 am Registration  
Welcome and Announcements
Achieving Better Leaf Grades
Classing Office Review         
What the Mills are looking for
Ginning US Cotton for Domestic and Export Markets
Variety Selection and Defoliation Harvesting Systems Make a Difference
Seed Cotton Cleaning Equipment Operation
Ginner Experiences (Panel)
Advanced Gin Hydraulics
General overview of Hydraulics
Practical relationship to the gin and gin press and bale shape maintenance issues
Increasing press capability and capacities
Bale Packaging and Vision 21
Ginner Experiences (Panel)
Group Reception and Dinner

Wednesday, June 15

Air Quality Regulations and Issues
Overview of current abatement technology
Cyclone Design
Current Research
Texas A&M Module Transportation Model
Software for Tracking Modules (Eagle Systems)
Round Module Handling
Energy Use in Gins
Ginner Experience (Panel)

This course will serve as the Continuing Education Course for the certified ginner program. Certified ginners may register for the two days or for individual parts of the course with a minimum of one day registration. Check at each location for the order in which these will be covered.

Please note, to maintain your certification, you must complete twelve hours of continuing education (CE) credits over a three-year period.  For example, if you received your certification in 2008, then, to remain in good standing in the program, you will need to complete your CE hours in 2011.  

 ·  Continuing education course work (CE) will be offered each year in conjunction with the annual ginner’s schools.  Each hour of participation at the NCGA sponsored CE course work will receive one credit hour.

·  Beltwide Cotton Ginners Conference participation provides one hour credit for each hour of participation.

·  Re-taking ginner’s school course work (levels I-III) will also provide CE credit.

·  Participation in local association schools, workshops, seminars, and tradeshows may be eligible for CE credit. An agenda and participation form must be submitted to National Cotton Ginners’ Associations.  Upon review, any CE credit hour(s) will be assigned to the participant. 

You can contact Debra Holderfield (dholderfield@cotton.org or 901-274-9030) if you have questions.

2012 Registration Fees

Additional Information

If there are questions about any aspect of the school, call: