The ginners school will be offered at three locations in 2013. 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. All courses are offered in English only.   

Certified Ginner Hour Requirements

Gin School Registration

2013 Gin School Details (255 Kb pdf)

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 

Western Gin School Continuing Education Schedule

Tuesday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 8

8:00 am Registration  
Welcome and Announcements

TOPICS:

1. PLC and Issues

a. Purpose, Function and Remote Service

b. Company Updates

2. Automated Bagging Systems

a. New developments

b. Maintenance issues

c. Available for what press

d. What modifications to the gin are needed

e. Safety concerns 

3. Gin Equipment Adjustment 

a. Overview on the importance of equipment maintenance and adjustment 

b. Decreasing lint loss

4. Round Modules

a. Contamination Prevention

b. Round Module Construction and field Handling Systems

c. Handling Round Modules at the Gin

d. Safety

5. Study of Commercial Bale Moisture Measurement devices

6. Removal of Sheet Plastic incorporated in Seed Cotton Samples 

7. AMS Quality Report

This course will serve as the Continuing Education Course for the certified ginner program.

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 2009, then, to remain in good standing in the program, you will need to complete your twelve CE hours in 2012.  

 ·  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.

2013 Registration Fees

Additional Information

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