AGCO, Asmark Institute offer training for beginning applicators

AGCO Corporation and the Asmark Institute are collaborating to offer a new training program dedicated to educating and developing custom applicators of crop protection products and plant nutrients. The applicator training course will provide a comprehensive program of professional training to newly hired applicators, and those with up to five years of experience in liquid and dry application. The course will be delivered at an applicator training center opening in Bloomington, Ill.

The applicator training course is designed to immerse the participant in practical learning experiences that range from basic math and measurements for proper agrichemical mixtures, to hands-on training in the safe operation of equipment used in the industry. Fundamentals of machine maintenance, the importance of product labels, customer service and the overall importance of the applicator’s role in agricultural production will be detailed. The course curriculum is built on extensive feedback AGCO and Asmark Institute gathered from ag retailers and industry partners.

The new applicator training center is a 6,000 square-foot facility located on a six-acre property just west of Bloomington, Ill., adjacent to the existing Agricenter, where other Asmark Institute training courses are offered on anhydrous ammonia and grain handling operations and safety. Each course will consist of three-and-a-half days of training with the first course expected to launch by June 1, 2017.

Input into course specifics also was gathered from members of professional organizations supporting the industry. For more information about this new training program, visit your local AGCO application equipment dealer or go online to Asmark.org to register. Online registration for the Applicator Training Course will begin April 1, 2017.