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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

LATHAM SEEDS LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO RAISE $75K FOR CANCER

Wear Red in September for Blood Cancer Awareness

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds has launched its “Sowing Seeds of Hope” campaign, a three-year effort to raise $75,000 for the American Cancer Society. How will we reach our goal? For every unit of LH 3937 VT2 PRO, LH 5245 VT2 PRO and LH 6477 VT2 PRO sold, Latham Seeds will donate $1 to the American Cancer Society. Other fundraising efforts include supporting local Relay for Life events and providing an employee donation match.

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and also coincides with the fall harvest day in 2009 when former company president Bill Latham was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

“I can recall that day like it was yesterday,” says third-generation seedsman John Latham, president of family-owned Latham Seeds in Alexander, Iowa. “Dad was doing what he loved, harvesting research plots, when he didn’t feel well at all. We rushed him to a nearby hospital and then he was transferred to Mayo Clinic.”

Adds Chief Financial Officer Chris Latham, “We could see the look on the doctor’s face and knew it was serious. We didn’t know what AML was, but we learned very quickly.”

Thanks to medical advancements and a stem cell transplant, Bill Latham’s life was extended for nearly six years. It was invaluable time that allowed Bill to meet his youngest granddaughter and enjoy time with his five grandchildren while also passing down business advice to his sons.

“The extra years we had with our dad were a gift beyond words,” John says. “Our mom is a two-time cancer survivor. Because the American Cancer Society has provided our family with resources, support and so much hope, we’re committed to help raise cancer awareness and funds.” Watch the video below to learn more about “Sowing Seeds of Hope.”

To help increase awareness of blood cancers, Latham Seeds is inviting the public to join its team members and sales organization in wearing red clothing.

“We encourage you to share photos of you and your family members wearing red to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #ThisIsBloodCancer, #BCAM2022 and #LathamSeeds,” says Shannon Latham, vice president, Latham Seeds.

“You and your family also can recognize Blood Cancer Awareness Month by enjoying healthy meals at home,” says Shannon Latham. “It just wouldn’t be a Friday on ‘The Field Position’ blog without a recipe. Today we’re sharing one from the American Cancer Society for Tomato and Basil Frittata. Frittatas are a great way to use garden-fresh produce before cooler autumn temperatures arrive. Enjoy!”

Shannon Latham

September 23, 2022

Corn, Crop, General, Seeds of Hope
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

The Importance of Corn Planting Date and Depth

At the Latham Premier Agronomy Center, we have many demonstrations including different corn planting dates and planting depths to show how these two important factors influence yield year after year. Research shows that 50 to 75% of corn yield increases during the past 70 years came from genetic advancements, which leaves 25 to 50% of that yield increase to changes we’ve made to our farming practices.

Planting date and planting depth are cultural practices that have led to increased corn yield. Fifty years ago, farmers were talking about planting earlier than mid-May. Today we talk about planting earlier than April 15!

Our adapted hybrids produce the best yields when planted in the first week to 10 days of May. This is usually due to disease, stand loss or slow growth early in the corn life cycle. This is something we know well, and it’s why Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds includes emergence and early vigor scores in our product guide.

Matching the right hybrid to the right field and planting it at the right time can lead to outstanding yields – but only if you also plant at the proper depth. Planting corn at the proper depth allows the crown to establish approximately three-fourths of an inch below the soil surface.

Why is crown development so crucial? If the crown is pushed to the soil surface due to shallow planting, at least one set of nodal roots typically establishes above ground. We want nodal roots to develop below ground to anchor the plant and to also increase the corn plant’s drought tolerance. Corn should be planted about 2.5 inches deep, which allows it to establish the crown just below the soil surface. Shallow planting depth causes issues with germination due to dry soils.

We look forward to harvesting our demo plots at Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center and sharing results with you throughout the summer. Have a safe spring season!

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September 15, 2022

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Emergence, From the Field, General, Growth Stages
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Latham Seeds Celebrates 75th Anniversary on Family’s Iowa Century Farm

From a build-your-own bouquet bar to bouncy houses and in-field demonstrations, the 75^th anniversary party for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds was packed with education and entertainment for the entire family.

“We feel blessed to be the third generation of Lathams to own and manage our family-owned seed company with headquarters on our Century Farm in North Central Iowa,” says John Latham, president, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. “We know that keeping a farm in the family for generations is challenging. That’s one reason we’re proud to sell through a farmer-dealer network. We appreciate working with multi-generational farmers, who plant our seed across the Upper Midwest.”

Chris Latham, Shannon Latham and John Latham (Third Generation)

Last night’s celebration allowed Latham Seeds to showcase the latest seed traits and technologies during the grand opening of the Latham Premier Agronomy Center. There are more than 20 demo plots located within the Premier Agronomy Center, and guests got to choose which four they wanted to attend.

One of the more popular presentations featured two new trait platforms that protect against corn rootworm (CRW) that many farms are experiencing this season. The first corn hybrid trait platform is SmartStax® PRO, which combines “BT” traits with RNA structure. When eaten by the pest, this package interferes with an “essential-to-life protein” in the insects RNA (thus RNAi) and leads to insect control. This non-BT-based development will help control CRW in a new way plus extend the usefulness of BT-based controls. You will see the SmartStax PRO Trait package in LH 5008 SS PRO and LH 5668 SS PRO hybrids.

The second trait platform to control CRW is Duracade Viptera™. This package combines BT traits with another BT rootworm trait that attaches uniquely to the insect’s gut when it’s eaten. It also provides above-ground protection from the Viptera trait. You will see the Agrisure Duracade Viptera trait package in LH 5209 DV hybrid. Latham® hybrids with Duracade Viptera and SmartStax PRO traits provide multiple modes of insect control for both above and below ground.

Another popular tour stop at the Premier Agronomy Center Grand Opening was the root and soil pit. While you can learn a lot from a root dig, you can learn even more when you dig deeper! Corn roots, night crawlers, compaction layers, earthworm channels and even water during a drought can be seen at the three to five-foot depth. Soil that is healthy deep down holds more water, has less run-off and supports plants during challenging weather. Healthy soil is also filled with microbes and worms.

Latham’s Agronomy Center field day went from 4 to 8 p.m. Following the field presentations, guests enjoyed Wholly Smoke BBQ, birthday cake and soft serve ice cream cones plus a live performance by Neil Hewitt.

Wholly Smoke BBQ from Dow, Iowa, had delicious smoked meats along with mac ‘n cheese. Such divine food reminded me of my favorite mac ‘n cheese recipe. Check it out below (courtesy of Cristen Clark, Food & Swine and Iowa Food and Family Project.)

If you’d like to schedule your own tour of the Premier Agronomy Center, contact your local Latham Seeds rep or call our office at 877-GO-LATHAM (877-465-2842). All growing season long, Latham Seeds provides opportunities to learn from demonstrations in the Premier Agronomy Center. Follow @LathamSeeds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube – and watch Latham’s weekly “Ask the Agronomist” videos.

Shannon Latham

September 9, 2022

Agriculture, Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Food & Family, General, Industry News, Insects, Latham News, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

#AsktheAgronimst – Corn Rootworm

Phil Long, precision agronomy advisor, is scouting in the corn field. He highlights unique characteristics you could see with corn rootworm damage. You may be looking for the wrong thing!

Shannon Latham

August 11, 2022

#AskTheAgronomist, Agronomics, Corn, Crop, From the Field, General, Insects
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center Opens for Tours

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ Premier Agronomy Center at our company headquarters in North Iowa provides us with opportunities to collect data on real-world challenges. It also provides us with an opportunity to talk about the exciting new Latham® products, as well as management practices, that help you raise more bushels. This year we have 18 different plots (10 corn and 8 soybean) to demonstrate different techniques.

Interested in seeing Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center? Plan a visit! Latham Dealers are encouraged to make arrangements with their regional sales manager (RSM), so they can bring their customers throughout the growing season. We will be open for public tours on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m.

Here’s what you can see inside Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center… As you drive west on 180th Street in Alexander, Iowa, you will see our Latham Showcase plots featuring our top corn and soybean products. Next to that are corn and soybean seed treatment demonstration plots. I also planted my hybrid stress research up front. Twenty different Latham hybrids were planted from 22,000 to 36,000 plants per acre, so we can pinpoint when each hybrid flexes and how we can better manage them in-season.

The second tier of plots contains high-yield plots (corn/beans) where we “throw the kitchen sink at it,” so to speak, to try to add some extra bushels. Our soybean Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) plot uses tactics like in-furrow chelated iron products with increasing population to overcome the challenges IDC can bring. We have a silage demonstration plot with a planting date demonstration. You’ll also see a sneak peak of Latham’s corn breeding program alongside some great observation plots featuring planting depth.

The third tier of plots are “long-term plots” that include cover crops, no-till and continuous corn. These practices come with many challenges, so we have several different products/treatments including in-furrow fertilizer, biologicals, in-furrow fungicide, and biological products for providing nitrogen to corn. We also have included herbicide demonstrations, showing how cover crops can increase water infiltration during pounding rains, as well as also reduce herbicide costs and improve weed control in soybeans.

All growing season long we’re providing opportunities to learn from our demonstrations in the Premier Agronomy Center. Follow @LathamSeeds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. We share our weekly “Ask the Agronomist” videos, as well as season-specific information.

Team Latham

July 27, 2022

#FromTheField Crop Reports, Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Fertility, From the Field, Fungicide, General, Growth Stages, Insects, Precision Ag, Season, Seed Treatment, Soil, Soybeans, Summer, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tissue Test for Better Yields
Phil Long is in the field this week looking at the rapid growth phase of corn. He also shares what to scout for this time of year and how to send in a proper tissue test. Check out the video or read the article below to learn more.

With current input and commodity prices, we must get the most from each crop. To help your crop reach its potential, start with fertility. Regular soil tests are great, but the next step is in-season tissue testing.

Tissue testing supplements your soil test. You shouldn’t take a tissue test without a current soil test in hand. Once you take the tissue test, compare it to your soil test. See where the two tests match. Then make plans to address those needs either this season or next season.

Tissue testing every two weeks shows how your crop is developing throughout the season. If you only can tissue test once or twice, I recommend pulling a sample early (V4 for corn or soybeans) and before grain fill (R1 for corn and R3 for soybeans). This will give you a good understanding of what needs are not being met during crucial development stages.

Here are some tips on how to use tissue testing to your advantage this season:
1. Sample whole plant (above ground) when shorter than eight inches. Once a plant gets to reproduction, use the leaf below and opposite the ear leaf for corn. For soybeans, use the most recently matured leaf (usually the 2^nd or 3^rd leaf from top of the plant). Take at least 15 leaves/plants per sample.
2. Take multiple samples to compare locations in the field and to look for consistencies. If you are looking at a trouble spot, be sure to also take a sample from a good spot in the field. Send samples in a breathable bag (not a plastic Ziploc bag), or your results may not be good.
3. Compare back to your soil test. Keep environmental conditions in mind at the time of sampling. Most labs will categorize the nutrient levels based on what growth stage the plant was in when sampled. Tissue testing is like taking your temperature; the tissue test can reveal consistencies in a field that must be addressed to break that next yield barrier.
Check out other corn videos and articles on The Field Position.
Team Latham

June 29, 2022

#AskTheAgronomist, Corn, Crop, Disease, From the Field, Growth Stages, Soil, Summer, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

#AsktheAgronomist – Tough Start

It’s been a tough start to the 2022 season with delayed planting and cool weather. Phil Long, precision agronomy advisor, unpacks GDUs across Latham Country and when corn and soybean stands will really take off. Check out more agronomy videos.

Team Latham

June 7, 2022

#AskTheAgronomist, Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Emergence, From the Field, Growth Stages, Soil, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

#AsktheAgronomist – Emergence

Precision Agronomy Advisor, Phil Long, brings us an update from the field. He shares what to keep an eye on with this late spring and how emergence may be quicker than normal.

Team Latham

May 19, 2022

#AskTheAgronomist, Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Emergence, General, Growth Stages, Season, Soybeans, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Monster Cookies for Spring Planting!

From the time he was able to follow in his father’s shadow, Troy Johnson of Odebolt in West Central Iowa, spent as much time farming as possible. He began farming full-time with his father, Reese, upon graduating from high school. Shortly thereafter, Troy had the opportunity to purchase his first 40 acres.

The Johnson Family

The Johnsons raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa. They started using cover crops in 2015 and have expanded their cover crop acres every year. Benefits include increasing organic matter, controlling erosion, as well as better weed control and water infiltration.

“I’ve been planting Latham® soybeans since the beginning and started planting Latham Hybrids when they came out in 2004,” says Troy, a fourth generation Iowa farmer. “I’ve planted other brands for neighbors, and it’s easy to see the difference in quality when you open a bag. Latham is known for its high-quality standards, and its reputation is well deserved.”

When the Johnson’s neighbor Russ Wilken retired as a Latham® dealer, he asked if Troy would be interested in the dealership.

“I was already planting Latham, so it was a no brainer,” says Troy. “I always enjoy trying new things, so I appreciate getting to learn about new Latham products early. I really appreciate having a team of professionals available whenever I call. Latham Seeds provides us with great customer service.”

Just as Troy’s farming enterprise has grown throughout the years, so has his family. He and his wife, Kathi, are the proud parents of three daughters. Jaci is a sophomore at Odebolt-Arthur-Battle Creek-Ida Grove (OABCIG). She enjoys singing, reading and babysitting. Jaci also is involved in FFA. Sophi is in eighth grade. She plays the saxophone and is a volleyball player. In addition, Sophi enjoys designing cards with calligraphy. Tori, sixth grade, plays the piano and trumpet. She also plays volleyball, basketball and softball.

“We have been blessed to raise our children on the family farm,” says Kathi. “There are many values and lessons the girls have learned that will benefit them in the future. Although farming has its ups and downs, we are grateful to God for the life He has allowed us to live.”

A Tradition of Hospitality

Evelyn Latham, wife of Latham Seeds’ founder Willard Latham, was known for her gracious hospitality. She was sure to invite family, friends, neighbors and customers to sit down at the table to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee with a plate full of homemade cookies. It’s no wonder she was named Master Farm Homemaker in 1962 by Wallaces Farmer!

Throughout the years, we have shared some of Evelyn’s favorite recipes with our dealers and their families. We were delighted when Kathi shared with us that Jaci’s Monster Cookies advanced from the county 4-H competition to the 2017 Iowa State Fair. We can only imagine how delighted Evelyn would have been, knowing Jaci was creating wonderful memories with her mother in their kitchen.

“It was an honor to have my cookies selected to go to state,” Jaci, who earned a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair with her Monster Cookies. “I was not expecting that because 2017 was my first year exhibiting 4-H projects at the fair.”

Today we’re once again sharing Evelyn’s Monster Cookie recipe with our readers. We hope you’re able to share a cup of coffee and a few heartwarming smiles with friends, families and neighbors as you enjoy a few homemade cookies. Perhaps you can enjoy a few cookies this planting season!

Shannon Latham

May 13, 2022

Corn, Desserts, Food & Family, General, Recipes, Soybeans, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

#AsktheAgronomist – Spring Tillage

Phil Long, precision agronomy advisor, breaks down spring tillage and when to know if the field is ‘fit.’ It’s been a challenging spring, but there is still plenty of time to get the crop in safely and efficiently! Subscribe to Latham’s YouTube Channel today!

May 12, 2022

#AskTheAgronomist, Corn, Soil, Soybeans, Spring