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From the Field Crop Report: June 14
Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

The good news is that rain finally fell in some drought-stricken areas. Too bad last weekends weather event also delivered damaging hail as pictured in this field near Rugby, ND. This field was a total loss with less than 5% viable plants left.

Fortunately, the two showers that followed this storm delivered more rain and zero hail.

Emergence before the storm was very erratic, causing plant stand evaluations to be difficult. Because we haven’t had rain for so long, soybeans were planted into dry dirt and laid dormant for three weeks.

You know the hail damage is bad when cattail sloughs look like this!

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

My grandkids helping scout a field of Latham LH 3877 VT2 PRO RIB.

Mid-season crop scouting is important for two reasons: (1) different weed, insect and disease pressures become evident this time of year; and (2) summer months are a crucial time to decide which traits to implement when buying seed for the next crop year. Click here for more crop scouting tips.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

It’s been an active week of weather in NESD. 3-6 inches of rain fell in the Clark and Watertown areas. Damaging winds and hail leveled fields northeast of Watertown. The good news is rain fell in the worst drought areas in central SD this week. There has been damaging storms this weekend in SD the last 3 years. Growers are baling winter wheat for feed near Gettysburg. Spring wheat may be too short to cut. Pastures are brown but corn and soybeans held on long enough to catch rains.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

Look what’s cropping up in Southeast South Dakota… This week my family and I welcomed our fourth member. Daxton Ryan said hello to the world at 12:40 am on June 13, weighing in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces and stretching to 20 inches long. He is loving life on the outside, and we are loving life with him!

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

My grandson Casen and I are doing root digs on Latham’s experimental corn varieties in a SuperStrip plot near Felton, MN. This plot was planted May 7. At this stage, the root mass is well developed. The very white roots indicate an excellent healthy plant.

Southern Minnesota

Brandon Wendlandt

Storms came through much of southern Minnesota on Sunday and Monday and brought much needed rain. While some areas reported more, I received 2 inches of rain at my house. Some small hail was reported with the storm, but we haven’t seen crop damage from it here. Other areas did receive damaging hail and winds, so it will take a few days to assess the damage and decide a course of action.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

The cold, wet spring has caused stand reductions in all crops across the Corn Belt. A final stand evaluation is a key component to yield at harvest.

Using the Hula-Hoop method for soybeans, we determined this location in Deerfield, Wisc. had an average stand of 130,000 plants per acre (ppa). We threw a 36″ hula-hoop around the field and calculated the number of plants within by the corresponding factor (6,165) to get plants per acre. Click here for more tips on assessing corn and soybean stands.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

Check out the picket fence stand and great emergence from Latham’s LH 4955 VT2 PRO!

Northwest Iowa just received a couple shots of much needed rain in the last couple of days. Unfortunately, some received damaging hail with that rain.

South Central Minnesota & North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

When spring weather is wet, some farmers get overly anxious about getting seed in the ground. We understand their sense of urgency, but we also know they’ll have better results if they wait for more suitable field conditions. Here’s a case in point see the wheel track compaction in a corn field due to working it when soils were too wet?

Top 10 Reasons to Avoid Soil Compaction:
1. Causes nutrient deficiencies
2. Reduces crop productivity
3. Restricts root development
4. Reduces soil aeration
5. Decreases soil available water
6. Reduces infiltration rate
7. Increases bulk density
8. Increases sediment and nutrient losses
9. Increases surface runoff
10. Damages soil structure
Click here for tips to avoid soil compaction.

Southeast Minnesota & Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

This nice looking field of LH 5010 conventional corn was planted around May 7 in Dodge Center, Minnesota. Fortunately, we’ve finally received some much needed rain. This hot, humid weather pattern is sticking. It’s going to be important to scout your fields to stay ahead of any insect and disease pressure. Scouting fields also can help you note changes needed to your 2018 crop plan.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

LH 5095VT2 PRO, planted April 11, near Rolfe in West Central Iowa has already canopied. Corn is at V6 to V7 stage.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Time of planting and soil conditions have played a huge role in soybean emergence this planting season.

These photos were taken last week at planting time. Dry soil needs rain to help move along these plants.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

High heat and no moisture is casing corn plant in Central Iowa.

Western Iowa & Eastern Nebraska

Larry Krapfl

Photo 1

LH 3158 LL planted April 18 full shade on the 15-inch rows

Photo 2

This field of LH 6317 VT2 PRO DG RIB, which was planted April 12, will be knee high before the 4th of July.

Photo 3

LH 6175 VT2 PRO RIB is nearly waist high on this Latham dealers farm in western Iowa
June 14, 2017

Corn, Crop, Season, Soybeans, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Crop Scouting Can Lead to Seed Selection in 2018

While you may not get paid directly to walk your fields, I can say without a doubt that it will pay for itself. Mid-season crop scouting is important for two reasons: (1) different weed, insect and disease pressures become evident this time of year; and (2) summer months are a crucial time to decide which traits to implement when buying seed for the next crop year.

By walking fields, you can catch any type of stress early that enhances the likelihood of opportunistic insects such as corn leaf aphids, European corn borer and armyworms. High humidity and heavy dew creates ideal conditions for diseases like we saw last season with Northern Corn Leaf Blight (NCLB).

Black cutworm could be a larger problem this year as they’re known to cause more damage in fields where corn is planted later, and quite a few acres were replanted due to heavy spring rains and ponding. Fields of higher risk also include those that are poorly drained and low-lying; those next to areas of natural vegetation; and those that are weedy or have reduced tillage.

The wide variance in planting dates also may cause rootworm beetles to move between fields. A late-maturing corn field may attract large numbers of beetles if neighboring corn stopped producing pollen, for example. Rootworm beetles may also move into corn and/or soybean fields that have an abundance of pollen-producing weeds, including volunteer corn, ragweed or foxtails.

Controlling weeds will help control corn rootworm populations, as well as other insects like Two-spotted Spider Mites and aphids. Mites and aphids begin feeding along field edges, especially in weedy areas, before eventually developing into a field-wide infestation.

Noting weed infestations can provide you with an opportunity to discuss this with your Latham Dealer and allow them give you to suggestions to mix up modes of action when selecting next year’s seed products. Latham’s Regional Field Days display the trait options available for 2018 planting. Make plans now to attend one of these regional plot days and discover more about the options Latham has to offer next year! Stay tuned for updated information about field day dates and locations in the coming editions of TECHtuesday.

June 13, 2017

Corn, Insects, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Podcast: Soybean & Corn Replant

Welcome back to our Ask the Agronomist Podcast! Phil is traveling across Latham Country this week and gives us a update form the field, with an emphasis on replant.

0:45 — From the Field update

1:30 — Is replant still on the minds of famers in Latham Country?

4:30 — Weed Pressure

5:15 — Stand counts & uniformity

7:25 — When does replant date compromise yield?

9:10 — Interplanting in your fields?

Thanks again for tuning in! Find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to submit your agronomy questions. See you back next week!

June 8, 2017

#AskTheAgronomist, Corn, Crop, Podcast, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

From the Field Crop Report: Week of June 7

Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

We talk about the importance of field-by-field placement, and here’s a textbook example. I was driving around my territory when I saw this field and stopped to visit with the farmer about his situation.

Given the weed pressure in this field, different soybean seed technology should have been used. One advantage of working with independent Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is that we sell all technology platforms, so we can work with farmers to help them chose the best system for a given situation.

If this particular farmer could have a do-over, he would have selected a different pre-emergence herbicide. A full quart of Powermax® and Authority® Assist did nothing to this marestail. Fortunately, an agronomist found a recipe to take care of 90% or better of these glyphosate-resistant buggers.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Rain has yet to fall in the areas where it’s needed the most. Rain is desperately needed as both corn and soybeans have yet to emerged due to dry soils. In areas that received moisture, the heat is moving corn development along. Soybeans range in stages. Wet spring weather in some areas delayed planting, so farmer there are working to finish now.

Photo 1: LH5095VT2 nearing V5 stage

Photo 2: Soybeans aren’t poking through yet

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

We’re starting to be able to row soybeans. Some plants even have the first trifoliate. Click here to see what each stage of plant growth looks like.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

My grandson Braxton and I were scouting a soybean field near Glyndon, Minnesota, for emergence and symptoms of any seedling diseases.

Southern Minnesota

Brandon Wendlandt

A customer invited me to walk this field with him late last week. He was very impressed with his Latham® hybrids and was excited to show me the emergence of LH 4455 VT3 PRO RIB. This field was planted April 20 with a population at 35,500. The right half of this picture shows LH 4455 VT3 PRO RIB, and we assessed stand counts at 35,000 plants! The left half of the picture shows the competitor at 26,000 plants.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

Wisconsin’s wet and cold weather has straightened out! We’re finally getting sun and heat. I can’t believe I am saying this, but some of the later planted fields could actually use a shower. Around Janesville, Wisconsin, almost all of the soybeans are popping through the soil. This field of Latham® Ironclad^TM 2084 R2 Soybeans, which was planted on May 31, shows great growth in just one week.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

Following another wet spring, farmers in Northwest Iowa are in a position where they have to make the difficult decision whether or not to replant due to heavy rains, drowned outs, and crusting. The timing of rainfall is key, and we could use a gentle shot of rain here in Northwest Iowa!

South Central Minnesota & North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

You see some interesting things while scouting fields. Pink colored seed treatment shell is still on cotyledons of this emerged soybean plant.

Southeast Minnesota & Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

This field of Latham® 2084 R2s was planted May 14 in 7.5-inch rows at 140,000 population into no-till. It’s looking good considering no rain has fallen since then in Mitchell County. Our crops could really use a drink.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

If you look closely, you can see soybeans poking their heads above the ground into the dead rye cover crop. Marvin Beneke, a Latham dealer from Palmer Iowa, sent to pic to me last week.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Many farmers are apply post-emerge herbicides on corn and soybeans. For best results, it’s important to follow label directions on all post-herbicide applications. Remember, it’s is not the height of the corn that matters but rather the stage of growth.

Also be sure to keep an eye on your crops for cutworms and army worms. They are out there and can be devastating on your corn crop.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

You know what they say, “make hay when the sun shines.” This week lots of mowing, raking and baling is being done across Central Iowa.

June 7, 2017

Corn, Crop, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Plant into the Best Seedbed Possible

One of the things I like most about spring is you get to enjoy all four seasons in just a few days. In mid-April, we had snow flurries with an overnight low of 16 on a Sunday. A warm wind brought temperatures into the 70s by mid-week, and that weekend rain fell. That’s why I always tell people to plant by the conditions, not the date on the calendar!

Soil conditions are far more important than planting date. Rather than mudding in your seed to say that it was planted early, you’ll have a better chance of achieving maximum yield by planting into properly tilled soil. Working soils that are too wet leads to yield loss and more problems during the growing season from soil compaction. Restricted root development, nutrient deficiency and reduced infiltration rate are among the top 10 reasons to avoid soil compaction.

Adapted full-season corn hybrids can compensate somewhat for later plantings. As planting is delayed, hybrids shorten the time between planting and silking. Research shows that development and final yield of these hybrids will not be largely affected unless frost occurs especially early in the fall. That’s why we recommend waiting until May 15 in North Dakota and May 25 in Iowa before switching to an earlier maturing corn hybrid or switching to soybeans.

Patience is also key when planting soybeans. Planting into a field that is too wet will reduce emergence and plant population, which most often leads to reduced yield. Another cause of reduced yield is weed pressure. Make sure the sprayer is right behind the planters. Otherwise, soybeans might poke through the ground before your pre-emerge was applied.

We get one chance every spring to create the best seedbed possible for planting, so let’s take advantage of it! This may require a different piece of tillage equipment than originally planned, but taking the time to make the equipment switch will pay big dividends by resulting in better seed-to-soil contact that enhances germination and early growth.

June 6, 2017

Corn, Crop, Soil, Soybeans, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Podcast: Early Season Crop Scouting

Welcome back to week 5 of our Ask the Agronomist Podcast! Today, Phil explains the difference between abiotic and biotic issues in the field throughout Latham Country.

0:35 – What are abiotic & biotic stresses?

1:10 – Abiotic Issues: Herbicide Damage

3:15 – Abiotic Issues: Crusted Soil & Compaction

4:10 – Abiotic Issues: Emergence

4:45 – Abiotic Issues: Yield Loss

5:45 – Biotic Issues: Seedling Diseases & Insect Pressure

6:40 – Replant Decisions

9:00 – Corn & Soybean Growth

Remember to submit your questions to us on social media! Find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Thanks for tuning in!

June 1, 2017

#AskTheAgronomist, Corn, Crop, Podcast, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

From the Field Crop Report: May 31

Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

Most of North Dakota is starting to look arid as we have gone all spring without moisture. We’ve been chasing the moisture down with seed placement and have hit our limits. The ground has hardened, and soil conditions are growing worse by the day. Later planted corn and tens of thousands of acres of soybeans have been planted into dry soils. With the widespread use of pre-emergence chemicals, there’s potential seedling loss to due chemical activation and plant emergence all at once. We need rain in the worst way and we need it soon!

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

This field of Latham® Hi‑Tech Hybrids at Hermosa is looking great! Due to cooler than average temperatures, heat units are lacking in Northeast South Dakota. Central and North Central parts of the state are extremely dry. Soybeans need moisture to germinate in many areas of the state.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

After a few days of some much needed rain and warmer weather, the crops are growing vigorously. Wheat is heading, and the first cutting of hay is down.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

It’s been a tough spring! Cold temperatures and rain after planting affected emergence, especially in low areas of the field. The red flags represent poor emergence or no emergence at all. Click here for tips on assessing corn and soybean stands.

Southern Minnesota

Brandon Wendlandt

Yesterday Latham’s regional Technology Showcase Plot was planted near Mountain Lake, Minnesota. This soybean plot features Roundup Ready 2, Roundup Ready Xtend, and Balance GT. Come see them yourself at our plot day on Aug. 22!

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

It’s been another wet week across Wisconsin. While many farmers across the Corn Belt are talking about replants, we’re just praying we can get good enough weather to get the crops in once!

This field of Latham® LH 5335 VT2 PRO was planted April 25. It was in the ground about 18 days before it emerged, but the stand looks great. The forecasted warmer temps should help improve plant health.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

Brian and Adam Schaffer, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds dealers in Sheldon, Iowa, are finishing up their soybean plot. There are some concerns of replant following heavy rains and crusting. A small shower and sunshine greatly benefit crops across Northwest Iowa!

North Central Iowa & South Central Minnesota

Cory Greiman

You know what they say, “The time to make hay is when the sun is shining!” Fortunately, it looks like farmers in North Central Iowa are going to catch a break from an especially wet spring in time to bale first cutting.

Southeast Minnesota & Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

This field of Latham® LH 5175 VT2 DG RIB DroughtGard® was planted May 5 by Lime Springs, Iowa. This tough hybrid that got hailed on, but it’s starting to turn green after the recent warmer weather. It’s important to keep scouting fields, assessing stands and controlling weeds.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

Hail and straight line winds on Tuesday, May 16, caused this 200-acre field southwest of West Bend, Iowa, to be replanted. Click here for tips on assessing hail damage.

After digging seed from the ground, I saw hypocotyls and the cotyledons missing. It’s sad to say that more than 50% of the field looked like this.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Picket fence stands and uniform emergence begins at the planter. While planting, farmers need to get out of the cab periodically to check: (1) seed-to-soil contact; (2) planting depth and (3) seed spacing.

Planter adjustments are key when planting. Missing plants will decrease yield. Finding too many doubles is not only a waste of seed, it can also mean that your planting units are in need of adjustment or repair.

SuperStrips are exclusive to Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and play an important role in our internal research program. The same group of soybean varieties and hybrids are planted in several locations across Latham Country, so we can gather data on how they perform across different environments and soil types. This data is then used to help our farmer-customers make product selections on a field-by-field basis.

Latham® Dealer David Boeding plants a Latham SuperStrip on his farm in eastern Iowa. Planter boxes are cleaned before a different variety or hybrid is planted, so we can be sure that row is pure.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

A two-day window before rain is forecasted is allowing many Central Iowa farmers to finish planting. This week we planted a Latham® soybean plot near Cambridge.

May 31, 2017

Corn, Crop, Season, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

From the Field Crop Report: May 24

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

Cool, wet weather has slowed root development and some plants are showing a yellowing or purplish leaf color. Warm weather should enhance development of the roots. Normally, there is no yield reduction from plant discoloration at this time in the growing season unless it’s fertility driven by low nutrient levels.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

We have cold saturated soils in Southeast South Dakota on the 23rd of May. Most corn fields are up and can be rowed on a drive by. Unfortunately, when you stop and look closely it, there is a bit of a yellow tint to it. These crops need sunshine and warm temps.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Things have really changed in the last week. Many areas received decent levels rainfall, which halted planting. Areas in Central South Dakota are still very dry, and areas in East Central South Dakota are very wet as more than 3″ of rain fell. Cool, cloudy weather slowed growth as you can see slight yellowing in corn. Emergence looks very good and even in corn and many soybeans are starting to crack.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

Gary Geske and I planted Latham’s regional corn and soybean plot on May 23. Gary is pictured here, checking seed depth. The plot is located on the southwest corner of State HWY 10 and State HWY 9 near Glyndon, Minnesota.

Southern Minnesota

Brandon Wendlandt

This field of LH 5095 VT2 was planted April 23. Rain, clouds and low temperatures this past week hasn’t promoted much growth. Once the sun returns, just watch that corn grow!

Even with our cloudy, cool spring weather we are only running 10 GDU days behind the historic mark for may according to the University of Minnesota Outreach Center in Lamberton.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

If we could get a string of sunny days, corn planting could wrap up in Wisconsin. Sunshine and warmer temperatures are also needed to push along crop development.

Latham® Hybrid LH 5099 SS was planted May 8 in Ripon, Wisconsin. This field shows uniform emergence and growth, but that’s not the case everywhere. Unfortunately, cooler temps are hampering growth across the region.

With the significant rainfall we have had, it is important that growers get out and walk fields as conditions allow.

Call your local Latham seed supplier or RSM at 1.877.GO.LATHAM if you would like a second opinion as to whether replant is needed. Additional tips are available online here.

Southeast Minnesota & Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

It was a beautiful, sunny day with temps near 70 degrees in early May when Latham dealers Frank and Matt Wyatt of Hudson, Iowa, planted their corn plot. We’ve received a lot of cold, rainy days ever since. Warmer days are in the forecast, so we these crops should turn the corner with sunshine and heat.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

Due to rotator cuff surgery, Latham® dealer Marvin Beneke needed a helping hand picking up empty hard boxes from his customer’s farms. I thought was quite the neat collection of antiques at one of the stops we made.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Craig Christians, Latham Territory Sales manager, rode with me to visit Latham® Dealer Chris Chriss’ farm in western Illinois. Crop scouting and plant evaluation is part of my job at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. This plot emerged 8 days after planting.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

Busy time collecting hard boxes and pallets. Few areas talking about replanting as well. Check your fields as soon as possible.

Western Iowa & Eastern Nebraska

Larry Krapfl

Parked equipment is a common site since we’ve experienced 7 days of rain. Fields are too wet to enter. We’re seeing a lot of ponding. With more rain on the way, it’s likely replant will be needed. Click here for replanting tips.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

Phil Long, technical agronomist manager for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, and Darin Chapman, Latham regional sales manager in Northwest Iowa, are performing on-farm research with a multi-hybrid planter while flying our drone. In addition to studying multi-hybrid performance throughout the field, they also studying tillage practices and planter performance using FieldView. These studies will pair well with Latham’s Seed-2-Soil® agronomic services!

North Central Iowa & South Central Minnesota

Cory Greiman

Sourced by usclimatedata.com

Due to excessive rainfall, ponding is a common sight in fields throughout my territory. More than 16 inches of rain has fallen this season. On average, North Iowa receives about 7.7 inches of precipitation from January through May. Farmers will be busy checking fields and evaluating where replants are needed.

Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

This is a picture of newly established field of Latham 400HVX Roundup Ready Alfalfa in western North Dakota. This field is very sandy/rocky. Overall, this field is a poor producer with a weed problem. This alfalfa was recently sprayed with Roundup, so we’ll be monitoring it to see how it controls weeds and yields.

May 24, 2017

Corn, Crop, Season, Soybeans, Spring, Weather
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

From the Field Crop Report: Week of May 17

Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

This field of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ LH 3877 VT2 PRO RIB was planted May 4. Planting depth and spacing looked good. It also emerged really well.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

A nice rain fell Tuesday morning, so moisture is reaching planting depth. Warm, moist soils will lead to quick germination and emergence. It’s important to get pre-emerge herbicide applied before the crop emerges in no-till and minimum-till fields.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

A lot of planting progress was made this past week. We got plots planted for Estelline Co-op Grain in Estelline and B&B Sales at Dell Rapids.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Beautiful weather prevails! Crops are being planted at a record pace in Northeast South Dakota. Corn is all but finished, and soybeans are closing in on the finish line. Warm, sunny weather has given us a great window to get crops planted and moisture is expected this week to give them a drink.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

Latham® Dealer Ray Beutz and his son, Matthew, planted a Latham corn SuperStrip plot on May 12 near Albany, Minnesota.

Southern Minnesota

Brandon Wendlandt

This Latham Hybrid SuperStrip was planted Monday by Sanborn, Minnesota. While these plots are also good ways to promote local dealerships, SuperStrip plots are primarily used for in-house research. SuperStrips help us determine which products to keep, remove or add to our product lineup. Field notes are taken throughout the growing season and information is analyzed after harvest.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

Almost 50% of corn acres and 15% of soybean acres are planted in Wisconsin. While we have a ways to go to finish #plant17, good weather should allow a lot of acres to be completed soon.

Latham® corn and soybean SuperStrip plots went in on all corners of the region this past week. We also planted a Latham Corn Silage plot in Barron County.

Fields that were planted between April 20-27 have finally pushed through the soil surface after poor growing conditions delayed emergence. This photo taken of LH 5885 VT2 PRO shows great emergence and early vigor when planted in a no-till situation.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

Other Brothers Inc. recently joined that Latham® dealer team, and we’re excited to see them hit the ground running! Here Matt Saboe is pictured getting their Latham Hi‑Tech Hybrids SuperStrip plot ready.

South Central MN & North Central IA

Cory Greiman

We’re able to row this field of LH 5099 SS RIB. This SmartStax Refuge in the Bag hybrid has earned Latham’s designation as a Gladiator hybrid, which means it has dual modes of action for above-ground insects including: Corn Earworm, Fall Armyworm, European Corn Borer and Southwestern Corn Borer. This particular hybrid also is a boss on Goss’s Wilt.

Southeast Minnesota & Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

A Latham customer near Osage, Iowa, put LH 5509 SS in the ground on Friday, May 12. The weather was absolutely beautiful. It was one of those days when you’re glad to have a reason to spend it outside.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Latham® dealer Kevin Squires is passing on the farming tradition to his son, Adam. The duo worked Monday to plant a Latham plot.

One advantage of working with family-owned, independent Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is the variety of options we provide. Here a farmer cooperator puts in a Latham® SuperStrip plot, which showcases different traits and technologies including LibertyLink soybeans.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

It’s been a crazy week of weather! Late Monday afternoon, May 15, storms moved across West Central and North Central Iowa. I was driving by the junction of Highways 3 and 17 just east of Goldfield when marble- to golf ball-sized hail began to fall. You could’ve snow plowed the hail because it was that heavy.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

It’s time to check emergence and stand. From what I have seen so far, the stand looks pretty good. Be sure to check all of your fields as recent rains may have caused some ponding and flooding in areas. Click here for tips on evaluating corn replant options.

Western Iowa & Eastern Nebraska

Larry Krapfl

Look at all the technology going into this plot! We planted a Latham soybean plot near Friend, Nebraska, with the following:

8 Roundup Ready 2 products
4 Balance GT*
6 R2 Xtend
1 ILEVO

**Balance™ GT Soybeans are not currently for sale by Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds until Balance Bean herbicide (Isoxaflutole) receives full regulatory approval.

May 17, 2017

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

From the Field Crop Report for May 10

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

When conditions aren’t fit, the equipment sits!

Unfortunately, wet weather continues to plague my northern territory. Farmers here are eager to get seed in the ground but Mother Nature isn’t cooperating. This area experienced such a wet fall that some corn still needs to be harvested before planting can begin. About 0.5 inches of rain fell near Beltrami, Minnesota on Monday night. The good news is the extended weather forecast looks very favorable for timely spring planting!

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

LH 4242 has a nice sprout even in cooler fields with high residue east Enderlin, North Dakota. We are seeing good early vigor scores with Latham® seeds!

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

After a week of cold and wet weather, Mother Nature has done a 180! Farmers in Southeast South Dakota are now enjoying dry, warm conditions. Latham Dealers are busy loading both corn and beans this week. Lots of acres have been planted during the last seven days. I have also seen lots of applications being done by both ground and aerial sprayers.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

Wisconsin’s corn acres are 15% planted while the soybeans are slow to go in the ground. Latham Corn SuperStrip plots were planted in Platteville and Ripon on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Some planters are currently postponed due to overnight rains in southern Wisconsin.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

Soybean planting is starting to take off in Northwest Iowa. Perry Seeds is providing great customer service by delivering soybeans to a grower in Anthon, Iowa.

South Central Minnesota & North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

We’ve enjoyed about five straight days of clear skies and dry soils in North Central Iowa, but scattered showers starting falling Monday night across the area. Farmers raced against the clock to get as much seed in the ground before it got too wet. In the rain at 9:45 p.m. last night, I finished putting in my fourth Latham plot of the day.

Southeast Minnesota & Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

Significant planting progress has been made this past week across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Latham Dealer Andy Hemann Stacyville, Iowa, planted 13 Latham numbers May 5 in a corn SuperStrip plot.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

All the sunshine and warm temps we’ve experienced recently have warmed the 4-inch soil temperatures from 60-66 degrees in western Iowa and from 62-71 in North Central Iowa. Lots of seed has gone in the ground this past week! The first Latham® soybean plot in my territory was planted May 6 by Jon and Jenna Ricklefs.

Pictured second is corn that was planted before the cold front moved in is started to emerge. This field of Latham 5939 SmartStax was planted April 11 south of Hardy, Iowa.

On the right is an awesome looking field of Latham 9700 that was planted last year. This particular variety is known for strong new stands and has a very strong disease resistance package.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Consistency is key for picket fence stands. Seed depth is just as important. Ideal planting depth for corn is 2 inches and for soybeans it is 1½ inches. Planting too deep can cause delayed emergence, uneven stands and possibly even stands that are crusted over if you would receive a hard, pounding rain right after planting. Planting too shallow will often result in poor root development and may affect the crop all the way to harvest.

At family-owned Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we enjoy doing business with farm families. Here Latham® dealer Rodney Bacon and his grandson are talking about how it’s time to get planting.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

Farmers have been burning the candle at both ends in an attempt to cover as much ground as possible while the weather cooperates. Our Latham Dealer near State Center has very few units left to deliver as planting in this area is about 90 percent complete.

Northwest Iowa

Larry Krapfl

LH 5885 VT2 PRO is practically jumping out of the ground six days after planting.

Southern Minnesota

Brandon Wendlandt

Root development looks great on the LH 5095 VT2 that was planted on April 24. Although it hasn’t yet emerged, it survived the cold weather. This corn will be popping up in rows after a few more days of sunshine.

May 10, 2017

Corn, Crop, Season, Spring