Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Corn Rootworm Hatch is Delayed but Underway

Expect 50 percent hatch between 684-767 degree days. Click here for current degree day accumulation for corn rootworm, courtesy of Iowa Environmental Mesonet, ISU Department of Agronomy.

Cool, wet spring weather delayed corn planting and the corn rootworm hatch, which is largely dependent upon soil temperature. When soil temperatures accumulate between 684-767 degree days, 50 percent of the rootworm hatch occurs.

Although corn is not as far along in its development as it normally is at this time of year, there is still plenty of plant material available to provide a feast for the CRW larvae. It won’t be long before newly hatched larvae begin feeding on corn roots. Severe infestation can destroy nodes 4-6, which effect water and nutrient uptake.

Shortly after larvae begin feeding on roots, adult beetles begin to emerge from fields and begin feeding on pollen, green silks and leaves. The males emerge first, and the females follow about 5 to 7 days later. Mating takes place, and then females will lay eggs toward the end of July through August.

Because of the wide variance in planting dates this year, it will be important to inspect every field – regardless of seed selection. Rootworm beetles can move between fields in search of the best “buffet.” A late maturing corn field may attract a large numbers of beetles if neighboring corn stopped producing pollen, for example. Beetles may also move into corn and/or soybean fields which have an abundance of pollen-producing weeds, including volunteer corn, ragweed or foxtails.

Note areas where corn rootworm damage is the highest and create a plan of action if root injury is high. To help assess injury, ISU Entomologist Aaron J. Gassmann developed an Interactive Node Injury Scale. To help develop an action plan, keep best management practices in mind.

Field notes from 2013 will help you select seed products for 2014. To prevent corn rootworm damage from reaching such devastating levels, plant a portfolio of products. Remember, that in 2104 Latham® Hi‑Tech Hybrids, will offer Agrisure Duracade^TM as another option in the fight against corn rootworm.

Webspec Admin

June 20, 2013

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Insects

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Rules of Thumb for Late Planted Soybeans

This spring has been anything but normal. We are currently sitting at 67% of corn planted and 39% of soybeans planted. With the higher-than-average number of unplanted acres, we could be looking at a contender for 2013 prevent plant numbers. Although this has been tough for many of our farmers and dealers throughout the growing season, there has been a positive response for corn and soybean markets. With a few more days of drier weather, Latham Country could make a lot of #plant19 progress.

We have received many questions this spring about when it is time to switch soybean varieties. The good news is soybeans are not as picky about maturity and delayed planting as corn. The typical maturity range for your area can be planted up to Mid-June without any worries. For those in the northern part of the territory, that date is closer to Early June. Its not a good idea to jump down more than 0.5 maturity group for your area. Remember soybeans mature based on night-length and not heat units, so they will make it to maturity, but the full season maturity encourages them to accumulate more nodes (i.e. more pods) before fully switching to seedfill.

Rules of Thumb on Later Planting:

Each 4 days later in planting date causes 1 day later maturity. One month later planting causes 1 week later maturity.
Farmers should not switch to a soybean variety that is out of their maturity zone.
For later planting, use narrower rows and slightly higher seeding rates whenever possible. We need to get canopy coverage as soon as possible.
When planting between June 1-10, expect a yield loss of one half bushel per day. When planting between June 11-20, expect an additional yield loss of one bushel per day.
Yield predictions for planting July 1 or later are extremely variable depending on growing conditions and frost date.

Soybean Yield Expectations & Physiological Maturity
Relative yield percent and Bushels Per Acre based on a 60 bpa potential yield

Planting Date	Northern Iowa		Central Iowa		Southern Iowa
Late April	100%	60.0 bpa	96%	57.6 bpa	98%	58.8 bpa
Early May	96%	57.6	100%	60.0	100%	60.0
Mid May	99%	59.4	96%	57.6	98%	58.8
Early June	81%	48.6	93%	55.8	89%	53.4
Mid June	61%	36.6	59%	35.4	82%	49.2
Early July	33%	19.8	45%	27.0	47%	28.2

NOTE: All yields through mid-May are not statistically different from 100% yield.

SOURCE: ISU Extension publication PM 1851, “Soybean Replant Decisions”

Team Latham

June 13, 2013

Agronomics, Crop, Growth Stages, Soybeans, Tech Tuesday

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Early Season Tissue Sampling Helps Detect Deficiencies

Tissue sampling has become very popular in recent years as it more accurately represents plant nutrition. That’s why tissue samples should be taken as early in the season as possible to properly detect nutrient deficiencies and make adjustments during the growing season.

For accurate results, avoid testing plants that show severe signs of stress from factors not related to nutrients. This includes damage from insects, drought or flooding, temperature, chemicals or machinery. Also be sure to test normal plants in addition to affected plants in the same stage of growth.

When testing alfalfa plants from beginning stages until the first flower, it’s important to sample from the top six inches of the plant. Collect about 35 samples. When sampling alfalfa closer to or at harvest for comparison, test about 25 whole plants. Collecting soil samples simultaneously can be helpful when paired with the plant analysis to identify nutrient deficiencies, toxicities and imbalances. Take soil samples, at a six- or seven-inch depth, from the same areas where plant samples were collected.

Once samples have been collected, remove foreign particles like dirt but do so without washing the plant. Place the samples in a paper bag or a large envelope to help prevent them from developing mold during shipping. Soil samples also may be placed in a waterproof container with a correlating label to the field and tissue sample with which it was taken.

Depending on the lab you use, some reports for plant samples will reveal the concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Mn, B, Cu, Fe, Al, and Na within the plant. Soil samples submitted with the plant sample will be analyzed for pH, organic matter, P, K as well as special soil test results. Nutrient levels will also be interpreted for soil and plant samples to identify any nutrient issues and potentially offer recommendations. It’s important to note that nutrients can then be soil, seed and foliar applied.

The ability to apply timely nutrition and reach new yield levels is so exciting! Experiment on your farm.

Webspec Admin

June 6, 2013

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Fertility, General, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Time to Begin Early Crop Scouting in 2013

While some Midwest farmers will get the opportunity to reenter their fields this week, there won’t be much rest for the weary. With some seed already in the ground, it’s important to start scouting those fields now.

Post-planting is an ideal time to begin scouting one’s crops. Many soilborne pathogens strike as soon as the seed begins to take on water; others strike young seedlings. Because seeds can germinate quickly and emerge in 3 – 5 days, it’s not too soon to start walking your fields.

Check plant populations, evaluate stands and be on the lookout for early summer diseases. Is there a germination problem? Do you see effects of chilling or crusting?

Assessing your situation ASAP will allow you to formulate a plan while there’s still plenty of time to implement it. You could replant in parts or in all of a field now, so you can attain the yields and returns you want this fall. Information on corn replanting decisions is available from www.agronext.iastate.edu/corn. Click on the “Planting” topic, then click on the “Replant Decision Aid Calculator” tab and use that tool and related information to help make a replant decision. For a resource on soybean replanting decisions, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/pm1851.pdf.

Another benefit of evaluating current stands is to help you determine what adjustments should be made before planting next year’s crop: Do you need to adjust your planter settings or your planting speed?

Once you get past the mechanical issues, look at the disease pressure. If soybeans are damping off, perhaps next season you should opt for seed-applied fungicides? Do you need to pay closer attention to a particular soybean brand or corn hybrid’s disease rating?

Seed selection is one of the most important decisions affecting yield. Click here for tips on selecting soybean brands and selecting corn hybrids.

Team Latham

June 3, 2013

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Disease, Emergence, Fungicide, General, Growth Stages, Soybeans, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Combating Soil Crusting
Sunshine and warm temperatures like we’ve experienced for the past week are needed to push along emergence of recently planted seed. However, we’re starting to see some instances where seedlings are struggling to break through the crusted soil surface as a result of either conditions at planting time or heavy rainfalls afterwards.

Wet planting conditions, fine soil textures, intensive tillage, or heavy rains after planting can result in delayed or uniform emergence. Some seedlings may not even emerge at all, which lowers stand counts and may reduce overall yield. Another problem that can result from crusted soils is rootless corn. Roots will take the path of least resistance, which means they might grow out the bottom of the seed furrow.

To help break up the crust and improve seedling emergence, consider using a rotary hoe. Get off the tractor and check for stand loss when starting a field. If loss seems greater than 3 to 5 percent, you may want to slow your travel speed to be less aggressive with the tool. Take care so soybean cotyledons aren’t broken off by the hoe. Expect a minor stand loss from hoeing, but this should be insignificant if your crop is truly having difficulty breaking through a crust.

Be sure to wait until soils have dried before using a hoe, so you don’t exacerbate the situation with soil compaction. Use a quick field test to check soil moisture. Simply mold a length of soil between your index finger and thumb, or roll it into a ball in your hand. Observe whether the soil breaks apart as you work it. If you toss the ball of soil into the air and it shatters or cracks upon falling to the ground, then conditions are likely suitable for tillage.

Avoid compaction by avoiding wet soils:
1. Pay attention to soil crusting after rains
2. Check soil conditions before you plant
3. Reduce or minimize soil compaction by:
  1. Avoiding wet soils
  2. Reducing tillage.
  3. Using the right implements.
Webspec Admin

May 30, 2013

Agronomics, Emergence, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Optimal Planting Conditions for Soybeans

Better planting equipment, improved soybean genetics and technology advancements such as seed treatments and weed control systems have moved soybean planting dates earlier in recent years. Last year 34% of Iowa’s soybean crop was planted by early May; this year only 1% of Iowa’s soybean acres are planted as of May 13.

Although there is a correlation to higher yield potential with earlier planting dates, it’s important to remember that soybeans respond favorably to early-planting dates if soil conditions are ideal for planting. Conditions weren’t fit for planting soybeans in late April or early May.

One silver lining in the delayed soybean planting is that soil temperatures have warmed. We recommend planting soybeans when soil temperatures are about 60 degrees, and soil temperatures were averaging only in the low 60s around May 15.

Planting into a field that is too wet or too cold early in the season will reduce emergence and plant population, which most often leads to reduced yield. Remember, planting soybeans in warm but wet soils can also have a detrimental impact on yield. Patience will continue to be key this planting season!

Webspec Admin

May 16, 2013

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Season, Soybeans, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Take Time to Adjust the Planter

To help provide “picket fence stands,” corn growers must make proper planter adjustments. It’s also important to match the planter speed to field conditions and to avoid planting seeds in extremely poor soil conditions.

Planting in soils that are too wet can lead to sidewall compaction. The under-developed root systems resulting from the compaction are often confined in a flat plane within the furrow trench. Planting in too wet of soil, especially with coulters, allows sticky soil to build up on gauge wheels resulting in planting depth differences.

Shallow planting places seed in differing soil moisture levels and can result in differing emergence dates. Shallow planting also can lead to a shallow secondary root system. “Rootless corn” may result, or plant development may be greatly delayed compared to neighboring plants.

Failure to close the furrow is usually caused by poor soil conditions, improper closing wheels for field conditions, incorrect down pressure, or planting in sod. Worn or improperly adjusted planter parts can cause or aggravate all the previously mentioned problems.

Make sure your planter does all its jobs properly: open the seed furrow without sidewall compaction; place seeds at a uniform depth; and close the seed slot without compaction. Stop the planter frequently and physically check to ensure you’re getting uniform seed depth and good seed-to-soil contact. Although it will take a few extra minutes in the spring, you’ll be glad you did when it’s time to harvest those extra bushels come fall!

Webspec Admin

May 13, 2013

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Emergence, General, Precision Ag, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tips for Proper Seed Depth and Spacing

Among the thousand variables crops are subject to each growing season, planting is the most crucial. Corn Product Specialist, Nick Benson offers these tips for proper depth and spacing as planters hit the ground rolling this spring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7W-IO7AvD4

Webspec Admin

May 9, 2013

Agronomics, Emergence, General, Season, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Seeing is Believing: See Why It’s So Important to Avoid Wet Soils!
After being cooped up for the better part of the past month, I’m as eager as any farmer is for the spring planting season to begin. Cold and wet weather in April has delayed planting, but we must remember that all of this moisture helped recharge the soil – and farmland across the Midwest desperately needed that!

The hardest part is going to be waiting to enter fields once the skies clear. Clear skies and sunshine don’t necessary mean that conditions are fit for planting. That’s why today I want to take a few minutes to remind you that it’s “worth the wait” to let fields dry before doing any work.

You’ll cause yourself headaches – and your crop problems – throughout the growing season if you try to plant in unfit conditions. The top 10 reasons to avoid soil compaction include, but are not limited to,: stunted plant growth; slow infiltration of water and/or ponding; high surface runoff and soil erosion under normal or light rainfall; poor root system establishment; and nutrient deficiency.

Compacted fields may experience yield losses of 10% to 20%, according to Iowa State University researchers.

It literally pays to understand and manage soil compaction. The #1 way to avoid soil compaction now is to wait for the fields to dry. In a video I made this week, you’ll see how to use a quick field test to check the soil moisture. You just mold a length of soil between your index finger and thumb, or roll it into a ball in your hand. Observe whether the soil breaks apart as you work it. If you toss the ball of soil into the air and it shatters or cracks upon falling to the ground, then conditions are likely suitable for tillage or planting.

For additional tips on how and why to avoid soil compaction, take a few minutes to read these related posts:
- 3 steps to reduce or minimize soil compaction
- Compaction after a wet fall
http://youtu.be/F3oo8d6s2Nk

http://youtu.be/1FHtMT7D75M
Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager

April 25, 2013

Agronomics, General, Season, Soil, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Don’t Push the “Panic” Button!

Even though spring planting has been delayed by unseasonably wet and cold weather, there’s no need for corn farmers within the Upper Midwest to push the “panic” button. We’re still within the ideal planting window, so work your crop plan.

Research shows that hybrids adjust to planting dates. Adapted full season corn hybrids can compensate somewhat for later plantings. As planting is delayed, hybrids shorten the time between planting and silking. Full-season hybrids almost always outperform short season hybrids, so farmers really don’t need to consider switching maturities until May 25.

Let soil temperatures and soil conditions – not the calendar – dictate planting dates. At this point, fields are not yet fit for planting. Your yield potential will be more negatively affected by planting in wet soils than waiting even a couple of weeks for better conditions. On average, farmers will lose about half of a bushel/acre per day due to delayed planting. Research shows farmers will lose more yield if crop is planted into less than ideal conditions, so we encourage you to wait for soils to warm up and dry out.

Corn planted into wet soils will be prone to problems throughout the growing season such as: stunted plant growth; slow infiltration of water and/or ponding; high surface runoff under normal or light rainfall; poor root system development, or rootless corn; and even nutrient deficiency. Potassium deficiency is caused by corn roots not being able to take up potassium from compacted soils.

REMEMBER: The majority of yield is determined during planting. “Patience” is key right now. Good things come to those who wait for the right seedbed conditions!

Team Latham

April 24, 2013

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Season, Soybeans, Spring, Tech Tuesday