Latham Seed Company operates one of the largest and most comprehensive soybean development programs in the country.

Highlights of 2006

No one has a finer soybean variety development program in our maturity zones than Latham Seeds.  The Latham program continues to upgrade an already great lineup of terrific soybean varieties, and the introduction of the remarkable CystX soybeans to the lineup enhances the Latham reputation as one of the leaders in the business.

Our purpose is to develop original soybean technologies for farmers in our upper Midwest marketing region, "Latham Country", that are superior and dependable.  Breeding goals are superior yield, outstanding emergence, excellent growth characteristics, disease resistance and, in some cases, special traits. 

This extensive effort is handled by computerized planning; a full time research technician, Gary Bennett and an assistant technician; modern research offices and facilities; a computerized plot planter; two special computerized plot combines; and related plot equipment.

Latham is one of the true pioneers in private soybean breeding, beginning in 1968.  In the mid 1970's, our efforts became more specifically focused on the upper Midwest, and this focus has allowed us to be uniquely successful in introducing superior genetics for this region year after year.  In 1998, we began our CystX breeding program and have since been working hard to combine the best SCN defense with other desirable traits such as IDC tolerance and maximum yield.  We also have begun work on adding the X-pr gene, new technology that gives the plant total resistance to all known races of Phytophthora Root Rot.

Our development program at Alexander starts with an even larger section of nursery plots called mini-rows that contain tens of thousands of new potential varieties, and proceeds through preliminary, secondary and elite testing.  The use of winter nurseries in Central and South America saves years of precious time.  This past year we have used facilities in south Florida, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Argentina.  Large numbers of new varieties in the program are pared down through a broad program of replicated plot testing over several years and across our many locations.  

In addition, an array of private breeder-contractors adds varieties into our development program at various points in the process.  These varieties are available to the Latham marketing program on an exclusive or semi-exclusive basis when they prove of significant value.  Literally hundreds of varieties are discarded for each superstar that emerges.

The CystX SCN technology is truly remarkable.  Our new CystX introductions, showing nearly total resistance to SCN, are here now, well ahead of all the competition in our marketing area.  And these are Latham's own varieties, eligible to be patented by Latham Seeds.  This valuable technology is showing the ability to actually lower soil cyst populations.  It also demonstrates healthier root systems and has shown and observed tolerance to Sudden Death Syndrome.

Since farmers need specific information to match varieties with production environments, Latham has greatly expanded it's testing to develop date on variety performance by soil type, planting date, seed protectants, and various combinations. 

Latham Seed Company
131 180th Street
Alexander, Iowa  50420
1-800-798-3258

Fax: (641) 692-3250