Grain and Feed Millers use machines to mix, grind, or pulverize (crush into powder) raw or processed grains to make flour, meal, feed, or other grain products.

Job Duties

Grain and Feed Millers may:

Start machines and adjust controls to regulate speed, temperature, and pressure

Clean the grain prior to grinding it

Open and close slides, spouts, and chutes to route the grain to various separators, grinders, and sifters

Adjust rollers and conveyors to maintain maximum yield

Feel grain to determine if milling meets specifications

Keep grain moving through the milling process

Weigh the grain in a scale hopper or on a machine

Use hand tools to replace worn grinding equipment

Transfer processed grain to storage or packing machine bins

Pack processed grains by machine or hand & stack filled containers

Perform bookkeeping and/or record keeping

The tools, equipment, and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Grain and Feed Millers may specialize in these areas:

521.682-026 GRINDER OPERATORS grind grain into meal or flour using roll grinders, hammermills, or stonemills.

521.685-122 FEED GRINDERS tend machines that grind, cut, crimp, shell, or roll grain, hay, corncobs, chaff, and screenings for stock and poultry feed. They also add supplements to feed according to specifications.

521.682-022 WHEAT AND OAT FLAKE MILLERS operate drier, huller, separator, steel cutter, cooker, and flake roller machines to produce wheat and oat flakes.

521.662-010 WET PROCESS MILLERS operate mills that crack and grind grain that has been soaked, such as corn or milo, to ease the separation of starch, bran, and gluten.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Millers may work with other Millers under the supervision of a more experienced Miller or other personnel. They work indoors where conditions may be dusty, noisy, and somewhat hazardous because of milling operations. Millers may be required to wear safety glasses, ear plugs, respirators, steel-toed shoes, and other protective clothing. They must follow strict sanitation regulations; hair coverings, aprons and uniforms are standard work apparel.

Millers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Millers may work day, afternoon, or midnight shifts. Overtime and weekend work may be necessary depending on production schedules. In the peak summer and fall months, additional work hours may be necessary.

Millers may be required to purchase uniforms and other work apparel.

Millers may join unions such as the American Federation of Grain Millers and the United Cereal, Bakery, and Food Workers Union. Union members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with machinery and equipment

• Doing work that is routine, concrete, and organized

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow instructions that are written, spoken, or in diagram form

• Pay close attention to moving machinery

• Rate information using personal judgment

• Do work that meets precise limits and standards of accuracy

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

So far this month, it has rained 4 out 25 days. This pattern shows no real sign of changing. Suppose you plan a full day of processing grain for tomorrow. Given the relative frequency of rain so far, what is the probability that the farmer will have a dry day and be able to bring you the grain?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Instructions on culture usually say that corn is a tender annual and should be planted after the average frost-free date. Hybrids recommended today however, are not as tender as older varieties, so you can plant 10 days before the average frost-free date.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written document indicating predictions regarding how successful a harvest season will be for your mill after an assessment of area crop's progress.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate organizational skills and be detail oriented in tending to machines and organizing a processing schedule.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS*** 0100 AGRISCIENCE , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1500 FOODS & NUTRITION , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Part-time or summer work in a shop, factory, or food processing plant may be helpful.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Grain and Feed Miller employer

internships

volunteer work with a Grain and Feed Miller employer

community service work with an agency

Most Millers enter this occupation by applying directly to employers. Assistance in locating a job may be available through local unions, school placement offices, local offices of Michigan Works!, or newspaper ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Millers depend on the location and size of the employer, the individual's experience, and the extent of unionization. Those who work in large, unionized mills earn higher wages than do Millers who work in small and non-unionized mills.

Nationally (late 1998), the average hourly wage of all production workers in the grain mill products industry was about $15.11.

In Michigan, the base hourly rates for unionized Millers and Grinders in a large cereal products plant (early 1999) were:

Beginning workers earned from $2.00 to $6.00 less than the rates shown above. After 18 months they qualified for the full rate.

Premium rates are paid for afternoon or night shifts and for work on weekends or holidays. Some workers may also receive cost-of-living allowances and an annual lump sum payment.

Depending on the employer, most Millers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. Uniforms, hair coverings, gloves, and aprons are provided by some businesses.

After working a specified length of time, employees may bid on Miller positions as openings occur, with seniority usually being the deciding factor. Promotion depends primarily on work experience, supervisory ability, and the availability of job openings.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

There were approximately 9,300 Grain and Feed Millers employed nationally in 1996. Some openings for Grain and Feed Millers will occur as Millers retire or change occupations.

There were approximately 425 Grain and Feed Millers employed in Michigan. Most worked in rural areas. Millers worked for grain and feed mills and food processing businesses that make breakfast cereals, flour, and other grain products. Most of the Millers employed in Michigan worked in the manufacturing industry.

The employment of Grain and Feed Millers in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Most openings will occur due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. A few additional openings will occur as Millers change jobs or occupations. Grain milling is becoming more and more automated and mechanized. In cereal processing plants, computers allow Millers to process more grain products more efficiently. As a result, fewer new positions will be available. Small grain and feed mills are giving way to the larger mills whose huge storage terminals allow them to mill grains all year long. These factors may eventually lead to reduced employment of Grain and Feed Millers.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Grain and Feed Miller can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development