BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – AGCO Corp. and the Asmark Institute worked together to open a new Applicator Training Center in Bloomington, Ill. The specially designed facility is the home of the new Applicator Training Course, a four-day program dedicated to educating individuals with little or no background in the application of crop protection products and plant nutrients.

“Today, the agricultural industry must maximize food production while carefully stewarding complex technologies and our natural resources. The Applicator Training Center and this extensive educational program will help support the entire industry in this effort – retailers, farmers, their rural neighbors and down the line to consumers,” says Bob Crain, AGCO senior vice president and general manager for the Americas.

The Applicator Training Course is open to anyone involved with crop production. Through a 12-month period, the course will be available to 400 students. Students learn about application, the crop retail business and the agricultural industry from highly regarded instructors, top professional applicators and industry leaders.

“Safe, accurate application of fertilizers and crop protection products has never been as important as it is today,” says Tom Warner, president of Crop Production Services. Warner began his career as an applicator and is a featured speaker for the course. “Students will leave well prepared to deliver quality application services and manage risk using today’s products and application equipment. They’ll also gain an appreciation for providing exceptional customer service and understand how heavily farmers rely on an applicator’s expertise and attention to detail.”

Comprehensive Course Focuses on Hands-on Exercises

The Applicator Training Course curriculum was built with extensive input from ag retailers and industry partners. The course includes practical learning experiences that range from basic math and measurements for proper pesticide mixtures, to hands-on training in the safe operation of application machines. Students will learn fundamentals of machine maintenance, understanding sprayer components and systems, proper tank cleanout procedures and the importance of recordkeeping.

“This week, the first 20 students will graduate from our Applicator Training Course having gained the knowledge and comprehensive thought processes needed to diligently perform the job of a professional applicator,” says Allen Summers, president of the Asmark Institute. “They will have the ability to evaluate the situation for each load and field and be prepared to optimize the application or make the decision to delay or not spray if that is the right thing to do."

For more information about the Applicator Training Course or to register online go to Asmark.org/TrainingCourses. Registration is open for seats available in June, August and September 2017. For more information about application technology available from AGCO visit your local AGCO Application Equipment dealer or ApplyLikeaPro.com.