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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tips for Controlling Palmer Amaranth Across the Upper Midwest
Palmer Amaranth, called Palmer Pigweed, has been confirmed in 48 of Iowa’s 99 counties. When Bob Hartzler of Iowa State University Extension made this frightening announcement during a recent crop meeting that I attended in Ames, the atmosphere in the room changed — and for good reason.

To say this weed is “aggressive” is an understatement. To win the battle, farmers must employ an aggressive weed management system. It’s important to start with a clean seedbed, and then integrate more than one herbicide to prevent weed escapes by:
- Using full rates of a pre-emergence residual herbicide that kills Palmer Amaranth.
- Applying post-emergence herbicide before pigweeds are 3 inches tall.
- Tank mixing another residual herbicide to extend control.
- Applying a second post-emerge application if needed.
- Removing surviving plants by hand or mechanically.
Every attempt must be made to completely eradicate it from fields, as Palmer Amaranth is truly “waterhemp on steroids.” Palmer is closely related to Common Waterhemp but is much more invasive. It can get so bad that literally entire fields must be tilled up to prevent further infestations.

Both Palmar Amaranth and common Waterhemp are dioecious, meaning there are male and female plants, as opposed to most other pigweeds species that have male and female parts on the same plant. Many scientists believe this characteristic gives these weeds an advantage to developing herbicide resistance.

Both Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp have become resistant to numerous herbicide groups. Many populations are resistant to multiple groups — as many as five in one population has been documented in Illinois!

Pollen spreading within fields and to neighboring fields spreads that resistance, so farmers must be even more diligent to control weeds in both corn and soybeans. Diversity of weed control tactics key. We won’t be able to rely on just Roundup Ready 2 Xtend®, Enlist™ or Balance™ GT — nor any other future trait system.

Take some time now to attend some weed control meetings in your area, and learn how to identify and manage this potentially devastating pest.
March 1, 2017

Agronomics, Crop, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Three Ways Latham Helps Farmers Reduce Risk
Due to another down year of commodity prices, combined with uncertainty in the marketplace and the transition to a new presidential administration, many Midwest farmers are looking for ways to limit their risk exposure. Here are three key ways farmers can limit risk in 2017:
1. LATHAM’S FREE REPLANT POLICY. Qualifying is simple: Purchase at least 60 units more of Latham® corn than was ordered in 2016 and/or a minimum of 120 units of treated soybeans, and you will qualify for free replant! This low-cost insurance policy offers a great options for our customers.
2. SEED TREATMENTS. The old saying, “It’s hard to save your way to prosperity,” really holds true here! So much of a farmer’s money is invested in seed that it’s hard for me to understand why some people forego seed treatment. This is where the saying, “Penny wise but pound foolish” comes into play. Seed treatment is a good return on investment. Data shows a 3 – 5 bushel advantage on fungicides and insecticides that provide protection against diseases and insects in certain parts of our market. Last week, Mark Grundmeier wrote about how soybeans treated with ILeVO® yielded 8 – 18 bushels per acre, even where Sudden Death Syndrome wasn’t severe.
3. FIELDXFIELD™ YIELDS. Crop planning, field by field, helps farmers reduce risk by placing the best products on given soil types and farming practices. It also takes into consideration disease, plant population and weed control. Determining the best population for both corn and soybeans also is a good way to reduce cost since many farmers plant soybeans too thick. Paying special attention to ear type (flex, semi-flex or determinate) makes a big difference in choosing the right population.
One final point to make is the stability and proven performance of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and its products. Our family-owned, independent company will celebrate its 70th year of business in 2017. In addition, we set records (again) in 2016 with our F.I.R.S.T. Trials Seed Tests across the regions we serve. Go to lathamseeds.com to see the data.

Feel free to also contact us at 1.877.GO.LATHAM. Also remember to “search” for specific agronomic topics like “risk management” on TheFieldPosition.com for more information.
February 15, 2017

Agronomics, Crop, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tips for Managing SDS in 2017 and Beyond
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in 2016 affected numerous soybean fields in the Upper Midwest. We saw SDS in fields where it had never been a problem, and some of that can be attributed to Mother Nature. Frequent or heavy rains can add to the severity of the disease, and irrigated fields are also at higher risk.

While we cannot control the weather and it’s not possible to get rid of this soil-borne fungus, there are strategies you can implement to protect future yield:
- Studies show SDS severity increases when high populations of Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) are present. Practices that lower the SCN population may also help decrease SDS, but note SDS and SCN can infect fields on their own.
- Improving drainage and soil structure, as well as reducing compaction, can help reduce the severity of SDS. Any movement of infected soil spreads both SCN and SDS within the field and to other fields.
- Wait for fit soils. Working or planting into wet soils greatly enhances the disease. I spoke with farmers who rolled their fields in 2016 when conditions were too wet, which increased the severity and incidence of SDS in their fields.
- Crop rotation. There have been reports of farmers using an oats and alfalfa/clover rotation in a third year that seemed to reduce SDS severity. However, crop rotation in general hasn’t been effective in managing SDS, as the SDS fungus readily invades corn roots. Legume crops like alfalfa, clovers, navy beans and pinto beans also can host the SDS fungus.
- Plant soybean varieties that are tolerant to the disease. While no soybean brand is completely resistant, planting tolerant varieties can minimize yield loss. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we evaluate soybeans for a wide range of diseases, including SDS. Only those with the best defensive packages earn the IRONCLADTM distinction.
- Delayed planting allows the soil to dry and warm. Because overall soybean yield research shows higher yield potential with early planting dates— even if SDS is present at moderate levels — I recommend delayed planting only when a field has a history of severe SDS and yields have been drastically reduced in past years.
- Employ ILeVO®. The most exciting new tactic for SDS management is ILeVO seed treatment from Bayer CropScience. Numerous university trials have shown IleVO effectively reduces SDS severity and protects yield. Latham’s own research across 26 locations in 2016 showed an average benefit of 3.64 bu/A, which easily pays for the cost of the treatment.(See the January 2017 issue of TECHtalk for more details.) Other seed treatments claim efficacy on SDS, but university research shows the level of effectiveness from thiabendazole products like Mertect® are not quite as good as what ILeVO shows.
If Sudden Death Syndrome is a potential problem in your area for 2016, do all that you can to limit its effect in the future. Feel free to call me if you have any questions.
February 8, 2017

Agronomics, Crop, Disease, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Four Ways Latham Seeds Can Help You Maximize Yield in 2017
While fighting blowing snow and bitter wind chills, it’s a welcome relief to think about spring! I know many farmers, including myself, are getting equipment ready for tillage and planting. It’s also a good time to review your seed order.

I expect most orders were placed with thoughtful consideration of the 2016 results, including university, F.I.R.S.T. yield trials and dealer plots. While this is all important data, keep in mind it represents information that was recorded in one location during one growing season.

Also keep in mind that on-farm plots might be impacted by variables you would be unaware of unless you walked the plot throughout the growing season. For example, if a sprayer wheel track accidentally ran over part or all of the plants in a row, the yield of that hybrid could be affected significantly. If the wheel track happens to run over part of a row on a check hybrid, that yield reduction would affect hybrids on both sides of the check.

Two more areas to consider when selecting seed are soil type and disease. Plants respond differently in various growing conditions. It’s also important to know field history. For example, once you’ve had white mold or Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in a field, it has the potential to cause yield loss every time you plant soybeans there in the future. That’s why it’s especially important to know how well different brands handle SDS and white mold.

Be sure to check out our performance in the 2016 F.I.R.S.T. Trials. Latham won a record-setting 42 trials! Our corn program produced 17 first place winners and 199 total Top 10 finishes; our soybean program produced 25 first place finishes and 185 total Top 10 finishes. These stats show just how deep and wide our product line is.

Latham’s sales and product teams are at your service! Call us at 1.877.GO.LATHAM (1.877.465.2842), and we’ll gladly help you choose the right seed, field-by-field!

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds helps simplify the seed selection process through our Seed-2-Soil® agronomic services. We help maximize your yield potential by focusing on four key areas:
1. FieldXField crop planning: Your farm management style, equipment and overall production goals, along with our research and performance data for each hybrid, is taken into account when we help you select the best Latham hybrid in each field. Seed placement helps reduce risk and increases your likelihood of top performance.
2. Nutrient management: Research shows that fertility programs influence plant performance and yield by as much as 60%, so nutrient management includes the use of foliar leaf sampling to help manage micro and macro nutrients. There are 17 essential nutrients for plant development, and each one is important in various amounts. We also look at variable rate planting to help manage populations specific to field conditions and hybrid tendencies.
3. Seed treatments: It’s important to treat seed with proper fungicides and insecticides to protect your growing crop from insects and diseases. Farmers who invested in seed treatments last year were very glad their crops had extra protection. (See Mark Grundmeier’s column in this issue for specific results.) Research shows that seed treatment is the best defense against disease. Choose a treatment like Latham’s SoyShield fungicide or SoyShield PLUS that is a fungicide-insecticide combination to help protect early-planted seed against the unexpected.
4. Agronomic information: Latham Seeds provides agronomic tools to help choose the right hybrids. You’ll find loads of information on our blog, TheFieldPosition.com. On our website, lathamseeds.com, you’ll find product tech sheets, seed placement recommendations, and companion hybrid recommendations, as well as yield data from strip trials and unbiased independent third party trial results.
January 18, 2017

Agronomics, Crop, Seed Treatment, Soil
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Farmers Have More Options to Fight Weeds
Farmers looking for new tools to fight weed resistance across Latham Country now have another option to choose from. XtendiMax is a newly approved herbicide that can be worked into a rotation to help farmers fight weed year after year.

Just a few short months ago, we received news that Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® Soybean technology was approved for the 2017 planting season and necessary export channels. We are happy to announce that XtendiMax™ Herbicide with VaporGrip™ Technology is now approved by the EPA for in-crop use.

XtendiMax™ Herbicide with VaporGrip™ Technology can be described as a low volatile formulation of dicamba. This new tool assists in the fight against weeds, enabling the in-crop use of approved dicamba. However, the current EPA label approves the use of this dicamba-only formulation and does not allow for tank mixes with other herbicides or adjuvants, including glyphosate. This may change as Monsanto and other chemical manufacturers plan to submit data to the EPA for tank mixes. Growers can go to RoundupReadyXtend.com to view the latest developments.

The XtendiMax® label has very specific regulations. It is important to read thoroughly and take note of these practices to mitigate migration. I can’t emphasize enough the importance to follow all of these instructions to allow farmers to continue using this tool. A few of the key points include:
- No application from aircraft
- No application when wind speed is over 15 mph
- Application with only approved nozzles at specified pressures
- Implementation of buffer areas
- No tank mixes
- Application timing up to and including the R1 stage of development for soybean.
While the herbicide still warrants some caution, we are more excited than ever about our line of Latham® Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybean brands. Latham customers have come to expect strong genetics and disease packages from our company, and the 2016 F.I.R.S.T. trial tests have confirmed that our Xtend® soybean lineup is second to none!

This year, we had a total of nine Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® Soybean varieties in F.I.RS.T. trials, with maturities ranging from 0.7 to 3.0. We have won seven Top 1, 2, and 3’s in F.I.R.S.T. Trials, and 28 Top 10’s! Look up area specific soybean data for your area here.

The future for breaking yield barriers and building on current progress in soybean technology is bright. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is positioned to remain on the cutting edge of the newest and best the industry has to offer. While it’s fun winning yield trials, and showcasing new products, it’s more important that we win on your farm. Contact your Latham representative for information on which of these Xtend products might be the best fit for your farm.
John Latham, President

December 7, 2016

Agronomics, Crop, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Research Plots Show Outstanding Performance

As a member of the Latham Corn Product Team, it’s my job to walk research plots throughout the growing season and take notes. It’s hard to put into words just how exciting these crop tours have been this fall! The performance of Latham® corn products has been outstanding, so I’m having fun making recommendations for promising new products that could complement our current lineup.

We not only take these plots to yield, but we also note disease pressure. This year we noticed more hybrids than normal with some degree of stalk rot or stalk cannibalization. When cutting damaged stalks lengthwise, I usually found the internal pith tissue was still white and not compromised by disease. They may be shrunken, cracked, or otherwise weakened, yet the stalk rot didn’t invade the plant.

In high-yield environments, a shortage of nutrients or other weather-related stress weakened the plant by mobilizing sugars or nutrients that were stored in the stalk, and moved them to the ear to help fill kernels. Usually any factor that stresses corn allows pathogens to enter the plant: wet soils, daytime temperatures that are either too hot or too cold, nighttime temperatures that are too warm, flooding, moisture stress, hail, or leaf diseases.

There are very few (if any) years with ideal growing conditions, so it’s important to scout and manage fields for disease before harvest every year. Stalk rots don’t show up until later in the growing season, so I start scouting for them in August at the same time I am looking for leaf diseases. Early symptoms include dying lower leaves and the plant color appears pale green to gray.

While there is no one way to eliminate stalk rots and disease, the best management practice is to manage stress on the corn plants including proper soil drainage, proper fertility, plant selection and populations, foliar fungicide, and crop rotations.

November 30, 2016

Agronomics, Crop, Soil
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

TIPS FOR MANAGING EAR ROT

Ear rot has been present in some corn fields that were harvested this year. These diseases can reduce the quantity and quality of the corn being harvested, and they can also produce mycotoxins that might be harmful to livestock and even humans. Lastly, they can continue to cause problems in stored grain unless it is closely monitored and maintained in the best possible condition.

Scouting fields prior to harvest is key to avoiding situations caused by mold. A pre-harvest field check can help farmers to determine: (1) if ear mold is present; (2) what type of mold is present; and (3) how severe the infestation is.

One method you can use when scouting fields for ear rots is to tear back the husks on 100 plants scattered randomly throughout the field. If you find 10% or more of the ears have mold on 25% or more of the ear, then that field should be harvested immediately and dried to at least 15% moisture. (NOTE: If you plan to turn a claim in for that field to your crop insurance provider, do that before harvesting. The insurance adjuster may need to see proof of the ear rots in the field as opposed to just seeing it in the stored grain.)

Samples of that grain should be tested to see what mycotoxins, if any, are present. You should then consult with someone like an extension specialist or veterinarian to decide the best method of using that grain.

To help determine which molds might be present in your fields, check out the table below:

Corn ear rots and molds are present every year, but the severity and type of infestation is highly weather dependent and greatly depends on the region where the farm is located. Fungal pathogens that cause ear rots will remain in the soil for several years. Crop rotation and heavy tillage may help reduce spore survival. Planting hybrids with traits that provide above-ground insect protection and reduce ear damage might also be beneficial.

If you browse online for other ear mold management practices, you will see it’s suggested to plant hybrids with known tolerance to these diseases. Unfortunately, most companies do very little screening for ear mold pathogens simply because they are so varied and the instances of severe infestations are so rare. In the case of corn ear rots, the best offense is the best defense! Make time to scout each field for ear rots before harvest.

November 16, 2016

Agronomics, Corn, Disease
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Flying the Fields with Kody Trampel
After wanting a drone for years, Kody Trampel recently purchased a new DGI Phantom 4.

Billed as the “smartest flying camera,” the Phantom 4 has five cameras for improved stabilization and obstacle avoidance. This is an attractive feature for new pilots worried about crashing on their first drone flight, plus it’s advantageous when shooting tight close-up shots.

“Since I’m a rookie pilot, I chose the Phantom 4 because it has sensors on all four propellers,” says Kody, an agronomy specialist with MaxYield Seed. “This drone will sense an object in its flight path, ascend and fly over it, and then return to its original route. They made it virtually dummy-proof and that’s good for new pilots like me!”

Another advantage of the Phantom 4 is that you get 25 percent more flight time due to extended battery life.

“I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a drone because I think this drone will give me a competitive edge,” says Kody. “I also think it will make crop scouting a lot more fun. No one really wants to walk deep into a tasseled field of corn when the thermometer reads 90 degrees. Now with the drone, we can scout a 160 acres in a matter of minutes.”

Kody believes the drone’s eye view will enhance, not replace, physically scouting fields. He plans to take photos and then return to his office where he can study those images in detail. If he pinpoints a problem area, he can then return to a particular part of a field where he can focus his scouting efforts.

Because his drone arrived during #harvest16, Kody’s thoughts were focused on how the Phantom 4 might help him and his farmer-customers develop harvest plans.

“Harvestability can be an issue,” says Kody. “We can keep an eye on the fields all season long and constantly monitor standability and stalk condition. I’ll be able to help my customers prioritize fields for harvest. If I see a field that looks suspect from the air, I can then walk into it and do a pinch test. I’ll also be able to take crop notes. For example, I might notice that one particular hybrid number is prone to dying back or doesn’t have good late-season intactness. That will not only help my customers develop harvest plans but it could help them with seed selection and/or product placement in future years.”

Technology is always evolving, so it’s important to research the available products before making a purchase. Kody purchased his drone from a local dealer, who will be available to answer follow-up questions and to provide maintenance and service. The salesman was able to talk with Kody about the pros and cons of different models.

It’s also helpful to talk with others who have experience using drones. Here are links to other Latham® dealers and sales managers who have been featured in our 8-week “Flying the Field” series:
Team Latham

October 27, 2016

Agronomics, Precision Ag
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Flying the Fields with Titan Immel

With nearly four years of flying under his belt, Titan Immel with Upper Edge Ag sees the importance of agricultural technology and puts it to use for his operation and his customers. Titan started selling seed when he was 17-years-old and flying a drone at age 18.

“There have been a few major changes since I started flying a drone,” said Titan. “Aside from them becoming a lot cheaper, they have also become more user-friendly.”

Titan has taken drone flying one step further, optimizing its capabilities to enhance his occupation on and off of the farm. He has learned to write prescription maps from his drone, which play a key role in finding every farm’s “sweet spot.” Titan acquires satellite images and takes photos from his drone to write variable rate scripts, which helps him pin point which areas he needs to adjust inputs to get the most out of his operation and customers’ fields.

He replicates these practices for his customers, too. Titan helps farmers see how to delegate inputs across their fields, resulting in the highest yield possible for his customers.

“I chose to purchase a drone shortly after beginning my dealership because I wanted to be there for my customers,” said Titan. “I want to help farmers become more profitable by choosing the appropriate inputs for each unique situation.”

Titan has stayed ahead of the curve with regards to pairing his dealership with drones. He has found his drone to be especially useful when needing to scout during all seasons, because it’s not always convenient to walk through fields. He admits a drone will never replace recommendations from an agronomist or seed advisor, but it helps the farmer focus on problem areas.

Titan flies DJI models and is currently flies the Inspire 1. He says the customer service is great and they are fast and reliable when he needs parts. He advises not spending too much money on a drone because it’s just one tool in a farmer’s toolbox.

For more advice on how to fly your fields, click here.

October 13, 2016

Precision Ag
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Flying the Fields with Logan Shedenhelm

Originally from Northeast Iowa, Logan Shedenhelm has found a new tool for his family’s farming operation that yields high results. The Shedenhelm’s could now scout their field in a timely manner, learning more than they ever have.

“My summer internship with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds helped me see the value of having an eye in the sky over our fields,” said Logan. “From making a sales pitch to improving our own operation, I have been able to uncover many things just from a different angle.”

This past summer, Logan flew the Phantom 4 and admits that this would be the model to invest in someday. Between the ease-of-use and high-quality camera image, Logan found this was a durable, all-in-one drone.

“Drone technology can be beneficial to a farming operation if used properly,” Logan said. “Drones can be used to see every single acre you farm or to view livestock in the pasture in a time-effective way.”

Logan found different uses for his drone from season to season. Starting with planting and early spring, he used the drone to look at emergence, stand and weather damage. In mid-season, he used the drone for weather damage, weed pressure and chemical injury. Coming closer to harvest, he was able to see where fields began to tassel or where disease pressure was taking over.

Early in the season after a rain, Logan flew the drone over a field back home in Riceville, Iowa. When taking the drone up, he was able to see the wet spots in between the tile lines. He discovered dry streaks in between the wet spots were the tile lines. After taking multiple pictures and videos, they have a good representation of where their tile lines were and were they needed to add more drainage.

Later in the season, it was easy to see compaction when flying the drone. Certain rows which look like there where from machinery, where shorter and lighter in color. These symptoms were from compaction.

“Drones can be a great investment and pay for themselves in just one year if used properly,” Logan said. “I was able to always find a reason to check fields no matter what the season. It is a benefit to see every field from a weekly basis instead of being blindsided by something that your drone could have seen when harvesting your crops.”

October 6, 2016

Agronomics, Precision Ag