“Quality” is Our Legacy
Quality seed production isn’t something we strive to obtain. Quality is what we’re known for at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds!
Today John, Shannon and Chris Latham are proud to carry on the family tradition of a hands on process that results in 10% higher germination and visibly higher quality seed you can see both inside and outside the bag.
For 75 years our focus has been maintaining quality inside the bag, so our farmer customers can feel confident about the results they see in the field. Much of our success in the field is attributed to our group of industry-renowned product experts whom select seed products that are best suited for geographies within Latham Country – because that’s where they live and work!
Proof of this success is in the performance with overwhelming success in third party trials. While winning these trials is fun, it’s more important to us that we win on the farm. Latham reps are trained to place product FieldXField™ to bring more value to the farm whether it’s fighting resistant weeds or bringing home increased yield.
From Our Plant, To Planting
SAMPLING
Before our growers bring their seed to the plant, they bring in a sample that is checked for moisture and appearance.
QUALITY INSPECTION
Every load of soybeans that arrives at the plant receives a quality check by our team members. A sample is taken using a hand probe, and moisture and appearance are checked a second time. Our associates make a decision regarding whether or not the soybeans meet our quality standards. Following inspection, loads are directed to an assigned grain bin.
HARVEST
We recommend that seed soybeans are combined at 14.5% to protect seeds from breaking or damaging easily. Harvesting at just the right time is incredibly important because moisture can drop a few points in one day.
STORAGE
About 90% of Latham Hi-Tech Soybeans are stored in grain bins at our plant in Alexander, Iowa. This allows us complete control of our soybeans from the time they leave a grower’s field to the time they are shipped to farmers in the spring. This complete dedication to quality control sets us apart from other seed companies.
COMING INTO THE PLANT
As harvest winds down, plant associates begin the conditioning process. Soybean varieties are taken individually to the plant for conditioning, where they are emptied from the bin, loaded into a grain wagon, weighed and enter the conditioning plant.
CONDITIONING PROCESS
During the first step of the conditioning process, soybeans enter an air screen cleaner and scalper screen to remove sticks and pods. The soybeans also pass through a sifter screen to remove small soybeans and split soybeans, while fans remove dust and dirt.
The second step of the conditioning process sorts soybeans by shape and form. A special easy-handling elevator takes soybeans up through two surge bins and releases them into a spiral separator. High quality, round soybeans move down the spirals and advance to the next phase, while misshapen soybeans are moved aside for disposal.
The final step of the conditioning process is determined by bulk density. The seed is emptied onto one of two gravity tables where it’s met by oscillating air blasts. Heavy, good soybeans move uphill to the next phase of the conditioning process while lighter material and small soybeans are discarded.
BAGGING
After conditioning, soybeans are taken to bagging bins. An automated robot bagging system allows our team members the opportunity to pay more attention to the seed quality process.