Phil Long talks about the what, why and how of variable rate seeding. For the Facebook Live conversation, click here: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156143070902138/
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Podcast: Seed Traits, Seed Treatments and Crop Rotation
Phil Long wraps up our Profitability Series! Tune in as he talks about seed traits, treatments and crop rotation. Have a great day!
For the Facebook live version, clicker here: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156043160802138/
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Avoid the Temptation to Buy Only Based on Plots
It’s that time of the year when we reflect upon the decisions we made last year and make changes for 2018. Many farmers will base next year’s planting decisions based only off this year’s results, so please avoid making that huge mistake!
Base your decision on facts and results but also the odds. Odds are, the 2018 growing season isn’t going to be exactly like the 2017 growing season. We can’t control Mother Nature, so spread risk by planting packages of both corn hybrids and soybean varieties.
Resist the urge to plant that racehorse hybrid or winning soybean variety on most of your acres! The breadth of Latham’s product strength is evident from our F.I.R.S.T. Trial performance. Multiple Latham brand products placed in the Top 10 at multiple trial locations.
At printing time, we have 34 wins in soybeans and 17 wins in corn. We also have 293 Top 10 performances in soybeans and 220 in corn so far. With such great harvest results, it’s easy to order the yield trial winners. It’s important, however, that you do NOT buy based exclusively on this year’s winning results.
At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we select products bred to perform in specific geographies. The Latham team also takes pride in making sure only the highest quality seeds go in the bag, which is evident with the yield results we saw again this year in the F.I.R.S.T. Trials seed tests!
Take the time to review your farm, field- by- field, and place the product for every acre! Seed selection is one of the important decisions a farmer will make. It’s well documented that the ability to reach yield potential begins with the seed. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we want to work with you to reach new yield levels in 2018!
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Variability on Your Farm Affects Seed Decisions
Once the busy harvest season winds down, many of us reflect on those spots that stuck out in each field. Maybe it was a spot that yielded 80+ on soybeans or 250+ on corn, or maybe it sticks out for the opposite reason.Variability on your farm influences the decisions you make throughout the rest of the year. We consider two types of variability — spatial and temporal — in precision ag.
Spatial variability refers to different patterns in an area or space. This is influenced by physical things that don’t change quickly, such as soil type, texture, structure, depth of topsoil and organic matter. These physical soil properties are directly related to the chemical properties of your soil, including water holding capacity, nutrient availability and buffer capacity. All of them impact yield potential.
Temporal variability in a field refers to the patterns between growth stages and/or seasons. One way this variability is evident is how a hybrid or variety responds to environmental stress. We all have areas within our fields that yield poorly one year and then produce top yields the following year. This is a combination of the underlying soil properties and how the hybrids/varieties respond to environmental conditions. No two seasons are alike!
We understand that no two fields are alike either. Latham’s hallmark FieldXField™ crop planning process helps you choose the right product for each field. As an agronomist, I think of G x E x M why picking products on a field-by-field basis is the #1 thing you can do to set yourself up for the best yield potential.
Temporal and spatial variability are key to understanding whether the yield variability in our field is consistent or inconsistent. Once you know how to categorize those areas, then you can put a variable rate program to work on your farm.
This year we’re piloting the Seed-2-Soil® Advanced Program, which uses several years of yield data alongside soil, imagery, your personal input, and any other available data layers to determine how to treat each of those areas. The power is in the multiple years of yield history. Even if you don’t have several years of yield data, there is still a lot of data we can use to create these areas within each field.
If you have fields that you know would benefit from variable rate management, feel free to call me and we can discuss different options. If you’re thinking about incorporating some precision services on your farm, I would be happy to have that discussion, as well.
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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.
These diseases 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, that field should be harvested immediately and dried to at least 15% moisture. (NOTE: If you plan to turn in a claim 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.
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.
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Podcast: Ear Rot
Welcome back! It’s been a wet and cold fall for many farmers in our marketing territory. Today, our Agronomy Specialist, Phil Long, discusses different types of ear rot he has seen in the field and how to plan for the next year.
Thanks for tuning in and have a safe harvest.
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Podcast: Stalk Rot
We know it’s hard to patiently wait for fields to dry up before continuing #harvest17. Phil Long, our Agronomy Specialist, gives advice and shares identifying factors to look for when prioritizing fields. Tune in to hear what he has to say! Below are images Phil refers to in the podcast.
Photo sourced from Purdue Extension 
Photo sourced from Purdue Extension 
Photo sourced from Purdue Extension Have a safe and happy harvest!
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
From the Field Crop Reports: Sept. 20
Northeast Iowa & Southeast Minnesota
Craig Haaland
Here are two of our Double PRO numbers from southeastern Minnesota. With nice kernels and very consistent ear placement, both LH 4727 VT2 PRO RIB and LH 4955 VT2 PRO RIB both are looking good in the field.
Soybeans are starting to drop leaves, so harvest will be underway in a couple years.
Eastern Iowa
Jerry Broders
Harvest is coming on quickly! If you would like help calibrating your yield monitor for either corn or soybeans, my weigh wagon is available. This week’s featured product is L 2368 R2 FX. This super new 2.3 maturity Roundup 2 Xtend soybean has looked great in our plots. This soybean is loaded with pods and is standing great. Check with your local Latham® dealer to see if this variety fits your field.
North Central Iowa & South Central Minnesota
Cory Greiman
Here’s a bird’s eye view of Latham® corn SuperStrip plot near Garner on September 17.
West North Central Iowa
Bart Peterson
This field of LH 5215 VT2 PRO was planted May 29, 2017 at a population of 35,000 in Humboldt County.
Central Iowa
Bryan Rohe
An up close view of soybeans near Boone, IA. Harvest is near for this field!
Northwest Iowa
Darin Chapman
Farmers in Northwest Iowa are getting their combines ready for 2017 harvest! I can’t wait to see this LH 4727 VT2 go through the combine! Plus, Latham 2184 R2X soybeans are showing a lot of 4-bean pods.
Western Iowa & Eastern Nebraska
Larry Krapfl
Ear pinching results from severe stress during the 7 to 10 leaf collar stages (V7-10) may result in reduced numbers of kernel rows. The more stress from the summer dry spell, the more apparent the pinching. This is not hybrid specific as it is effecting several hybrids to the degree of stress the corn was put under.
Southern Wisconsin
Greg Mair
Harvest is officially underway on soybeans as I received my first harvest report yesterday. Latham’s L 1438 R2 yielded 75 bu/Acre at 14% moisture. With yield reports like this, you can’t help but get excited for #harvest17!
Latham products are set to finish the year strong in Wisconsin. While walking a Latham(R) Corn SuperStrip in Utica, I couldn’t help but notice the consistently large ear size on this LH 5245 VT2PRO. I am excited to see where yields come in this fall.
Another new product I am excited about this year is L 1845 R2X. In both locations, it has excellent standability with lots of pods on lateral branches. It appears to be a great defensive Soybean against White Mold.
Eastern North Dakota
Brian McNamee
It’s silage chopping season here in North Dakota. I’m happy to report that in some areas the yields are exceeding last year’s banner year! Fields under moderate to severe drought stress are showing rapid dry down and, as expected, poorer than average yields.
One thing to note: If your farm experienced early drought followed by average to above average rainfalls, there might be as much as a 3-week delay on maturity.
Pictured here are Latham customers in front of a field of LH 4532/RR LFY. Honestly, this picture doesn’t do justice for how good that crop really looks!
Southeast North Dakota
Gary Geske
One of our Latham® dealers is harvesting silage near Emeradro, ND this week!
Northeast South Dakota
James Keltgen
Silage chopping is in full swing! L5062LFY running 24-30 ton/acre in South Dakota. Have been some really goo 4th cuttings of hay as well. A few soybean fields off in drier regions 18-28 bu/acre.
Southeast South Dakota
Ramie Coughlin
Two hybrids, two fields, miles apart, both 22 rows around. The field of LH 4242 VT2 PRO RIB was planted near Arlington, SD, and the field of LH 5339 SS RIB is near Montrose, SD.
Northern Minnesota
Ken Highness
Yesterday we harvested the Latham Silage research plot near Emerado, North Dakota. Our leafy hybrids have twice as many leaves above the ear, which adds to tonnage. New genetics, with native drought and insect tolerance, allowed these plants to grow very tall and for high-yielding silage.
Southern Minnesota
Brandon Wendlandt
Here’s one cluster of 4-bean pods that I found on a plant of 2184 R2X in southern Minnesota! I’m really excited to start harvest!
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
From the Field Crop Report: August 30
Northeast Iowa & Southeast Minnesota
Craig Haaland
This week’s crop report is a “mixed bag.” The good news is we’ve received moisture, but temperatures have been cooler than normal. The month of August brought lots of cool temperatures, so let’s hope early September is usually warm!
Soybeans are looking pretty good, but they could really use some heat. This field of soybeans in Mitchell County was planted to our popular L 2084 R2. As you can see, there 4-bean pods in there.
Eastern Iowa
Jerry Broders
John McGillicuddy, independent agronomist, addresses the group at our South English, IA field day last night. Thanks John for coming to speak to our dealers and customers!
North Central Iowa & South Central Minnesota
Cory Greiman
Scouting crops all season long is especially important because different insect and disease pressures become evident at this time of year. Any type of stress greatly enhances the likelihood of opportunistic insects such as corn leaf aphids, European corn borer and army worm to feed upon plants. This week I noticed corn aphids in a field near Estherville.
Central Iowa
Bryan Rohe
It’s that time of year when farmers ask themselves what they can do differently to improve yield for the next season. Seed selection is certainly a major factor – some some might argue it’s the most important consideration – to increasing yield. Soil fertility and reducing weed pressure also are among the Top 10 Tips for increasing yield.
I am encouraging farms to look at hybrids that either have a strong drought score or to plant Genuity® DroughtGard® hybrids from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds in 2018. The longer you can keep plants alive, the more ability they have to do their job. Health corn dies from the ground up, so I’m sure we’ll see an ROI on fungicides this year due to keeping plants health long enough to finish their jobs.
Good plant health is also key to increasing soybean yields. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is starting to show up in Central Iowa soybean fields. The time is right to start watching any side by sides with ILevo and without ILevo. Also, it is a good time to make notes for future years seed treatment plans if SDS is showing up in your fields.
Soybean product selection is key. Prevention is the best defense against SDS. Soybean Cyst Nematodes (SCN) are associated with SDS. The best way to combat SCN is to plant resistant varieties or avoid susceptible varieties. Be sure to keep Latham IRONCLAD™ soybeans in mind when mapping out which varieties will be used on different fields for 2017.
The time is right to also start noting results from studies using ILeVO treated seed. Latham Seeds’ research staff to conduct 2016 studies using ILeVO treated seed side-by-side with seed that was not treated with ILeVO. We saw an average yield advantage of 3.64 bushels per acre across 26 plots, so ILeVO definitely provided a return on the investment.
West North Central Iowa
Bart Peterson
Silage harvest is underway near Alta, Iowa.
Producers often ask what the most important characteristics are when selecting corn hybrids for silage or grain. To pick the best hybrids for his situation a farmer should follow 3 basic steps: (1) Consider the end use first; (2) Keep crop rotation in mind; and (3) Minimize yield-limiting factors.
Click here for more silage selection details from Latham Forage Products Manager Corey Catt.
Northwest Iowa
Latham® Dealer Brian Schafer and his son, Adam, prepare for area farmers to show up to their Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds plot tour.
Everthing is looking good here in Northwest Iowa. The ear in the center is LH 5505 VT2 PRO, which has looked consistent in Latham’s SuperStrip plots all season long. I’m really looking forward to seeing yield results this fall!
Western Iowa & Eastern Nebraska
Larry Krapfl
Last silage crop of the year being harvested near Emerson, Nebraska. Click here if you would like tips for selection corn silage products for next year!
Southern Wisconsin
Greg Mair
The Latham Technology Tour stops in Platteville, Wisconsin tonight, Aug. 30. The plot is located at 3775 State Road 80 between Platteville and Cuba City. Tours are at 5:30 and 6 pm. We’re excited to offer our customers so many options in our lineup for 2018! We would love to see you there.
Despite not having the desired heat units, the corn is still moving along. LH 5245 VT2 PRO appears to have great yield. With ears of 16×33 and 16×36 planted at over 36,000 plants per acre (ppa), it’s sure to catch your eyes this fall.
Eastern North Dakota
Brian McNamee
Is this some new type of nurse crop?
This season, across my territory in North Dakota, I have been taken aback by the number of semi-resistant or fully-resistant weeds I have been seeing. I had no idea that marestail was as bad as it is and spread so far west. This particular field is the worst infestation I have ever seen. You can just barely make out the soybeans planted in this field.
A full grown marestail can have upwards of 200,000 seeds per plant. Just think of how many seeds are in this field… Crazy!
This year was the perfect storm for these issues to arise: pre-emergence not working; droughty conditions with slow and poor seed emergence; and periods of late-season rains that produced flushes of all weeds.
This now has the potential to be an epidemic problem not only for this farmer but all the adjacent landowners, as well. It’s going to be a challenge and will have to be monitored especially closely.
Herbicide rotation is important, but mixing herbicides with different sites of action makes weed resistance 83 times less likely to occur. Click here to learn more about weed management, including how and why herbicide resistance occurs.
Southeast North Dakota
Gary Geske
Despite very dry conditions on the Red River Valley, the corn and soybean plots we viewed at the plot day are still in good condition.
Northeast South Dakota
James Keltgen
Another widespread rain event this week will benefit the crops. Early corn is denting and converting to starch. Soybeans are filling pods. Early soybeans are beginning to yellow, signaling harvest just around the corner.
Southeast South Dakota
Ramie Coughlin
With all the rain we’ve been getting, growers are getting a nice 2nd and some 3rd cuttings of alfalfa and hay.
Northern Minnesota
Ken Highness
Congratulations to Latham rep Ryan Skaug of M&R Seed for hosting a successful plot day yesterday in Beltrami, Minnesota! The main topics of discussion among growers in attendance was weed management plus corn and soybean technologies.
Weed management is certainly more challenging! Plants that develop resistance to herbicides are simply following the age-old process of “survival of the fittest.” That’s why seed product selection and herbicide rotation are more important than ever.
Southern Minnesota
Brandon Wendlandt
Latham 2084 R2 is looking great in southern Minnesota! Now is a great time to scouting soybeans for things White Mold and Sudden Death Syndrome. The best defense is a great offense! Be sure to note problem areas and look at disease ratings when selecting future products. Also know that IRONCLAD soybean products are exclusively available from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Reduce Risk by Planting a Portfolio of Products
Mother Nature threw us some real challenges during the 2017 growing season. While the conditions vary by region – and even within a state — there is one thing we all have in common and that’s “risk management.” We can spread our risk by planting three different Latham® hybrids of different maturities. Planting 1/3 of our acres to an early hybrid, 1/3 to your typical relative maturity (RM) and 1/3 to a little later maturity will help us improve overall yield!
The value in working with a financial planner comes from diversifying one’s portfolio and reducing financial risk while maximizing returns. For the same reasons, it’s advantageous for corn growers to work with a knowledgeable seed representative to create a diversified hybrid seed corn portfolio.
No financial planner worth his weight is going to advise clients to invest solely in mutual funds or high-risk stocks. That’s also why farmers shouldn’t choose their seed portfolio based only on top-yielding varieties in F.I.R.S.T. Trials. Choosing seed based on growing conditions in one location during one year is like picking your stocks based on only last year’s performance without considering factors that might cause market shifts.
The stakes are too high to not manage risk. Latham Seeds’ Seed-2-Soil® program helps corn growers determine which hybrids will help minimize risk while maximizing returns.
Planting a “Portfolio” of Corn Hybrids has Multiple Benefits:
1. HEDGE RISK WITH DIFFERENT GENETICS.
As an independent seed supplier, Latham provides you with more seed product choices — more genetic options — than
companies that rely on a single supplier for their genetics.2. PLANT HYBRIDS WITH VARYING MATURITIES.
Different flowering dates help reduce yield loss due to heat during pollination. Some years hybrids don’t want to dry down
and the earlier products can really pay off while the exact opposite happens in other years.3. BALANCING OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE CHARACTERISTICS.
Each year presents its own set of challenges: weed pressure, insect pressure, heat stress, moisture stress, emergence issues, disease pressure, overall yield. That’s why planting both “offensive” and “defensive” products is advantageous.
