Of these, “when to spray” may be the most critical decision a grower makes. Injury or stress to a young plant can have lasting effects that aren’t always visible to the naked eye. Understanding crop growth stages—and how they align with product label requirements—is essential for making sound application decisions and protecting yield potential. Let’s start with corn.  

Corn Growth Stages and Application Timing 

Herbicide and crop protection labels typically reference growth stages when outlining application timing. The corn growth stage chart is an excellent resource for understanding these stages.  

VE (Emergence) occurs when the coleoptile reaches and breaks through the soil surface. Corn generally requires about 100–200 growing degree units (GDUs) to emerge, which can take as little as four to five days after planting under warm, moist conditions. During this time, growth is also occurring below ground as the nodal root system begins to develop. 

Emergence can be rapid in favorable soil conditions but may take three weeks or longer in cooler soils. Early in the season, a new leaf typically appears about every three days. As temperatures warm, leaf appearance can accelerate to one new leaf every one to two days. Full season hybrids grown in the central Corn Belt commonly produce 21–22 leaves, while earlier maturing hybrids produce fewer. 

These numbers are important to keep in mind as you plan your spray program. Under favorable conditions, corn can move from planting to the V5–V7 stage within a month. Missing application windows can happen quickly if fields aren’t monitored closely. 

Soybean Staging Considerations 

Soybeans add another layer of complexity, as plants within the same field rarely develop at the same pace. A soybean field is considered to be at a specific V or R stage when 50% or more of the plants are at or beyond that stage. Because of this variability, understanding soybean staging is critical when determining application timing. The soybean growth stage chart is a valuable reference when evaluating field conditions. 

A general rule of thumb is to expect about five days between soybean growth stages, although weather can speed this up or slow it down. One of the most critical stages to be aware of is R1, defined as one open flower at any node on the main stem. Soybean flowers are highly sensitive, and herbicide applications should be avoided at this stage whenever possible. 

R1 can begin before full canopy closure, which can tempt growers to make a final post emergence application. However, the risk at this stage often outweighs the reward. A strong pre-plant and early post program can greatly reduce the need for late season spraying, and a handful of late weed escapes is rarely worth the potential consequences of applying herbicides after flowering begins. 

We need to pay attention to emergence to maximize our yield that will be going into our bins this fall. We like to see everything come up within 24 hours of each other. Many studies have been conducted showing that plants that emerge on Day 2 of emergence can have a 10% yield loss compared to the first plants that emerged. Plants that come up on Day 3, the yield decrease can be close to 40% and those that emerge on Day 4 can have a yield loss of over 80%. The reason behind some of these yield losses is because those bigger brother corn plants will have the opportunity to take more water and nutrients away from the smaller brothers because they were able to get established sooner and they do not leave much for the runts to thrive on.  

It is so crucial that we make sure we are doing everything in our power to allow these corn plants to emerge at the same time. Are we going through our planters well before we hit the fields to make sure the disc openers and scrapers are in optimal condition? Are we making sure we are doing tillage and planting into optimal field conditions and not pushing soil moisture and soil temperature? Are we adding some sort of starter to help those plants get out of the ground easier? Are we looking at the closing systems on our planters to make sure we are closing the seed trench well? These are just a few things to be mindful of when we are thinking about emergence. Let’s get off to a good start and fill our bins with as many bushels as possible this fall.

Make it a great spring and be safe! 

While many factors affecting crop success are beyond our control, it’s important to manage the ones we can. Planting depth often gets a lot of attention, but it isn’t the only—or even the most important—factor in plant development. Soil conditions at planting are just as critical, if not more so. 

For a successful growing season, consider the following: 
Planting into wet soils or working ground that’s too wet can lead to sidewall smearing, compaction from disk openers, and seed trenches that don’t close properly. These issues can result in uneven emergence and seedling. Ideally, the top three to four inches of soil should be dry enough for proper planting conditions. 

Cold weather after planting can also stress corn during emergence and early growth. Aim to plant as early as conditions allow, ensuring that the first few days in the soil support proper kernel imbibition. If the forecast shows temperatures that are continuing to decrease, it would be best to delay planting until our forecasted temperatures are getting warmer, 2-3 days out.  

Finally, avoid reducing planting depth, as shallower placement often leads to lower yields and complications throughout the growing season and at harvest. In recent years, more growers have shifted toward planting fuller-season hybrids for their maturity zones and planting earlier to extend the growing season and maximize yield potential. Just be sure to prioritize optimal conditions when doing so. 

Happy Spring and Happy Planting Season! Good luck to everyone and remember to be safe! 

When soils thaw in early spring, we can see how our alfalfa crop fared. You can get a pretty good indication of your alfalfa crop’s health from the road. If your field is still brown and the neighbor’s field is green, check for injury or death.

The best way to diagnose winter injury is by digging four to six inches deep and then examining the plants’ roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white in color with little evidence of root rot. Winter-killed roots will have a gray, water-soaked appearance early.

If your alfalfa stand has suffered winter injury, assess the field’s yield potential by determining the number of stems per square foot:

Yield (tons/acre) = (Stems/ft2 x 0.1) + 0.38

This calculation should only be used as a guideline as many factors determine yield. Factors that influence winter injury and yield in alfalfa stands include:

• Stand age. Older stands are more likely to winterkill than younger ones.
• Variety. Varieties with superior winter-hardiness ratings and a high disease resistance index are less likely to experience winter injury.
• Soil pH. Stands growing on soil with a pH about 6.6 are less likely to experience winter injury.
• Soil Fertility. Stands with high fertility, particularly potassium, are less likely to experience winter injury than those with low fertility.
• Soil moisture. Alfalfa grown on well-drained soils is less prone to winter injury.
• Fall soil moisture status. As dehydration is the primary means of tolerating freezing temperatures, stands that go into winter with low soil moisture are better able to lose moisture and are less likely to winterkill.
• Cutting management. Both harvest frequency and timing of fall cutting affect alfalfa winter hardiness. The shorter the interval between cuttings, the greater the risk of winter injury. Stands where the last cutting was taken between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15 are at greater risk, as plants are unable to replenish root carbohydrate reserves before winter.
• Snow cover. Snow is an excellent insulator. Four inches of snow can result in a 10°F difference in soil temperatures. Stands that were not cut after Sept. 1 or that have at least six inches of stubble retain more snow cover and are less susceptible to winter injury.

While we cannot control what Mother Nature delivers during the winter months, we can take steps to control or reduce alfalfa winter injury. Now is the time to think about getting your alfalfa orders in so you are ready for the seasons ahead.

Contact your local Latham® dealer or call our office at 877-GO-LATHAM (877-465-2842); we’d love to assist you with any questions you may have.

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1. How early is too early?
2. Is the soil temperature warm enough to start planting?
3. What depth should I be planting?

Q1: Generally, farmers maximize corn yield when they plant in late April or early May.
This holds true IF conditions are fit for planting. A mid-April planting date produces similar yield if young plants are not damaged by a freeze in May. In years with few growing degree days in late April and the first half of May, farmers can maximize corn yield when planting in mid-May.

When spring arrives early, farmers should weigh the risks and benefits of planting earlier than usual. Farmers with federal crop insurance will lose replant coverage if they plant before the earliest allowable planting dates specified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency — even if they must replant due to factors other than freeze damage or poor emergence.

Seed treatments and planting high quality seed are a must with early planting.

Q2: Before planting, check the weather forecast and soil temperatures for your area.

It’s wise to check the soil temperature early in the morning of each field that you intend to plant. Wet soils and fields with more crop residue tend to have lower soil temperatures relative to drier soils or fields with less crop residue. Check the seed tag or talk to your seed dealer about the cold tolerance of your corn hybrids. Be aware that hybrids vary in cold tolerance.

Certainly, plant hybrids that have more tolerance for colder temperatures first. However, be aware that “imbibitional chilling” is a physical phenomenon that can override genetics. Imbibitional water uptake occurs within the first 48 hours after a seed is planted.

Once planted, corn seeds need a two-day (48-hour) window when the soil temperature at planting depth does not drop much below 50°F. When soil temperatures drop much lower than 50°F within that 48-hour time frame, chilling injury may affect seed germination and subsequent seedling growth.

During the osmotic phase of water uptake, which starts about 48 hours after the initial imbibitional phase of water uptake ends, the risk of chilling injury approaches zero. Thereafter, temperatures below 50°F can slow germination and delay seedling emergence. This can result in a longer exposure to soil-borne pathogens, particularly in soggy wet soils. If you expect the latter, use fungicide seed treatment for at least your earliest planted corn fields.

When corn seeds imbibe (take up) water, cell membranes stretch and cells expand. When a damaged cell membrane rehydrates, it may not return to its normal shape and size. This can create a “leaky” cell. Water is at its densest at about 39°F, so when cold water is imbibed additional membrane damage occurs. These ruptured membranes may occur in the cell walls and in the mitochondria. In the plant, this action may disrupt the embryo/endosperm enzymatic conversion to energy. It likely interferes with the emerging seedling’s development and reduces the plant’s growth rate.

• Debate exists about what specific temperature and timing causes imbibitional chilling. However, corn seeds that imbibe cold water (in the low 40s) in the first 48 hours after planting undoubtedly are affected.
• Planting when soil temperatures are above 50°F — and are not anticipated to drop much below this during the following 48 hours — alleviates concerns of imbibitional chilling affecting corn emergence.

Q3: Check seed depth and seed depth consistency across your planter units.

The “set it and forget it” approach to seed depth isn’t the best idea. To get corn off to the best start, it is important to achieve both rapid and consistent emergence following planting.

One aspect of achieving rapid and consistent plant emergence is by choosing the correct seeding depth and ensuring there is adequate and uniform moisture at the chosen seeding depth. The most common seeding depths recommended for corn range between 2.0 and 2.5 inches deep, and these planting depths can work very well within most conditions. However, certain soil moisture conditions at planting may warrant further examination/change in seeding depth.

A corn seed imbibes soil moisture within the first 24 to 48 hours after planting, therefore maintaining both adequate and uniform moisture at seeding depth (not too wet and not too dry) within the first 48 hours is important. If the soil remains too dry, then the seed may be delayed in emergence until precipitation occurs. Furthermore, if the soil remains saturated after planting, the seed may rot and die.

Contact your local Latham® representative to find out more information about ideal planting depth for your area, or call 1.877.GO.LATHAM.

Seed treatments are one of the most efficient crop protection technologies as they reduce farmers’ need for foliar spray applications. They also offer some certainty because field and weather conditions can prevent farmers from entering the field to apply fungicide and/or insecticide after seeding.

Applying treatment directly on the seed before planting protects seeds and young plants, regardless of field conditions. Because seed treatment is a targeted, one-time application of pesticides to seeds, seedlings are protected during their most vulnerable stages of growth. Spraying fungicides or insecticides during these early growth stages is unlikely to be as effective because sprays are less targeted.

Treated seeds carry a precise amount of pesticide that protects the seed during early growth, which is the critical growth period before and during germination. Seed treatments also are a “curative treatment,” protecting plants against seed-borne diseases.

Research shows that seed treatments deliver more robust seedlings to farmers, protect plant stands and maximize yield potential. Conversely, farmers not using seed treatments in high pest pressure areas can see yield losses of 50% or more.

Help secure a return on your seed investment with seed treatment! But don’t just take our word for it… take crop notes this growing season and compare data from multiple years. The Latham Team is here to answer your questions at 1-877-GO-LATHAM (877-465-2842).

If you liked this article, watch this episode of Beyond the Bushel. John Latham and Justin Prokosch break down Latham’s three new soybean blends, what makes each unique, how they can help boost results this season and why they are exited to be apart of Victrato® with TYMIRIUM® technology, a new seed treatment from Syngenta. 

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Victrato®, TYMIRIUM®, and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. 

Prioritize Your Harvest Plan

This season has brought a mix of diseases — from Southern Rust to Fusarium, Anthracnose, Goss’s Wilt, Tar Spot and Northern Corn Leaf Blight. With so much pressure, prioritize hybrids with weaker stalk scores or lower disease tolerance for early harvest.

Use the Performance Ratings Chart in the seed guide (pages 14–15) as a resource. You can also do quick “push tests” in your fields: push the stalks with your forearm until the tops lean into neighboring rows. Count how many break within 1/1,000th of an acre to gauge standability. Compare across hybrids to determine which fields need to come out first.

Turn Harvest into a Sales Conversation

Harvest is also a great time to connect with customers. Send a quick Snapchat, text or phone call to share how products are performing. Ask what they’re seeing in their fields. These conversations naturally lead into seed placement discussions for next spring:

• Which products handled disease pressure best?
• Which hybrids excelled in high-management, manure-heavy acres?
• Which performed on lighter, sandier soils?

Use the Stoplight Chart to frame those discussions around management strategies like corn-on-corn options, response to fungicide, and response to population.

Share the Story Behind the Data

Yield numbers tell part of the story, but context matters. Share details about planting conditions, weather challenges and management decisions that influenced results. The more you tie product performance back to real-world conditions, the more valuable your recommendations become.

Looking Ahead

We’ll continue sharing real-time yield results as they come in. Watch for updates!

In the meantime, stay safe, stay visible and stay connected. Remember: harvest is about more than bushels — it’s about building trust acre by acre.

Why Plant Alfalfa in the Fall?

Fall seeding gives growers the chance to establish stands before spring workloads
ramp up. When timed properly, seedlings have enough growing degree days to form
strong root systems, preparing them to survive the winter and thrive in spring.

Optimal Fall Planting Windows

To maximize success, fall seeding must be timed with local frost dates in mind. Alfalfa
needs about 4–6 weeks of growth before the first hard frost to germinate and establish
properly.

Iowa

Southern one-third of the state: Plant by September 1.
Aim to complete seeding no later than four weeks before the first expected
frost, which is usually in late September.

Minnesota

Plant before the typical first frost date, which is around September 1 in
many regions.
Fall planting helps extend the growing season and build a strong root
system, but fields should be well-drained to avoid winter injury.

Wisconsin

Southeast regions: Mid- to late-September can work, but ensure planting
wraps up 4–6 weeks before frost.
Always check soil conditions, fertility and moisture levels before planting to
set the stand up for success.

In conclusion

While fall seeding can be a smart way to get a jump on next year, it requires attention to
both timing and soil conditions. For specific product recommendations and management
advice, connect with your local Latham® representative.

They needn’t have worried. Justin quickly learned what working for a family-owned company really meant.

“The owners treat their employees and dealers like their own family and truly care about their customers,” he says. “We can go to the owners at any time and feel heard. Being able to work alongside the third generation is something you don’t see very often today.”

Six years (and one more boy later), Justin is moving from his RSM position to serve as Latham’s newest sales agronomist in the central and southern areas. It’s a perfect fit for Justin, who grew up on a century farm in Wabasso, Minn., only 1.5 miles from where his family lives now. At Southwest Minnesota State University, Justin majored in Ag Business and minored in Agronomy. Since he always had a passion for agriculture, those two areas of study made sense to him.

“Justin knows our products, understands good management practices and is committed to his new role to help our customers and dealers thrive,” says Amy Rohe, Latham’s sales manager. “His experience will serve us well as sales agronomist.”

Seeing how different products respond differently to certain situations — and helping dealers promote and place products with confidence — is something Justin is looking forward to in his new role. As an RSM, he says he could have used the support of a sales agronomist himself, to help bring a new perspective to his dealers’ operations and extend those relationships on an agronomic level.

“I am excited to really get to know their business,” Justin says. “I have grown a passion for product placement and product characteristics.”

Justin and Katie Prokosch have been married for 10 years and have five boys. Katie keeps their busy family going and volunteers on the local ambulance service. The boys love being outdoors, helping with farm chores, wrestling and playing baseball. Like their dad when he was growing up, the Prokosch boys also enjoy being a part of the local 4-H club and showing animals at the county fair.

When he isn’t chasing after his sons or participating in “whatever they are up to at any given time of the year,” Justin enjoys ice fishing and hunting pheasant and deer.

Here is a Prokosch family favorite recipe that keeps their whole crew warm.

One way Latham Seeds is helping growers maximize production is through the release of high performing Peking source soybean varieties. Soybean Cyst Nematodes (SCN) damage often goes undetected or misdiagnosed. Stunted plants and uneven canopies are often obvious symptoms of SCN feeding. Chlorotic-looking plants is another common symptom of SCN damage and is often misdiagnosed with Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC). Yield reductions of up to 40% on susceptible varieties are not uncommon without any above-ground visible symptoms of nematode damage. Fall is the best time to sample for SCN numbers, but sampling can be done anytime the ground is not frozen. More than 95% of SCN populations have elevated reproduction on PI 88788. Planting Peking source SCN varieties is more important than ever with these types of numbers.

Another way Latham Seeds is helping growers maximize yields is through seed treatments. SoyShield Plus with Saltro provides industry-leading protection against SCN and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). SoyShield Plus with Saltro is also highly effective against Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium. Getting your soybeans off to a good start is key to maximizing soybean yields — and seed treatments are the best insurance for making this happen. The combination of Latham Peking source SCN varieties and SoyShield Plus with Saltro will give 2024 a strong start and help the season end with a bang.

Latham is expanding our list of Peking varieties for 2024 planting by adding three new varieties to the list. Peking varieties are offered from an early group 1 to mid-group 3. These varieties compliment an already strong portfolio of PI88788 source varieties to offer one of the most diverse portfolios in the industry. Here is a small sample of what you can expect from the Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds soybean lineup:

L 0254 XF (0.2 RM) – 103% of trial mean

L 1121 E3 (Peking SCN, 1.1 RM) – #1 in the late group 0, early group 1 trial at a whopping 108% of trial mean

L 1881 E3 (Peking SCN, 1.8 RM) – 1 bu > P18A73E in Showcase data

L 2551 E3 (Peking SCN, 2.5 RM) –
Showcase Data
3.5 bu > AG24XF3
5.5 bu > P23A40E
3.1 bu > P25A16E

L 3123 E3 (3.1 RM) –
Showcase Data
Equal to AG30XF4
5.5 bu > P28A65

L 3384 XF (3.3 RM) – #1 in the full season trial at 106% of trial mean

Contact your local Latham representative to find out more information about these and other top-performing Latham products or call 1.877.GO.LATHAM.