ALEXANDER, IOWA — As farmers evaluate soybean seed options for 2027, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is emphasizing the importance of protecting yield potential from the start with SoyShield Ultra, the company’s custom-developed, foundational soybean seed treatment.

Unlike one-size-fits-all treatment packages, SoyShield Ultra was developed specifically for the disease and pest pressures farmers face across Latham Country. The company’s agronomy team worked with John Latham to develop a unique blend that addresses common soybean challenges in the Upper Midwest, including Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), white mold, Phytophthora and Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN).

“SoyShield Ultra isn’t just another seed treatment package,” Latham said. “This blend was built specifically for the disease and pest pressures farmers face across Latham Country. “We know the challenges our growers deal with because we see them firsthand. That’s why we’ve made SoyShield Ultra our foundational seed treatment product.”

SoyShield Ultra combines fungicide, insecticide and biological nematicide protection in a comprehensive treatment package. It provides three modes of protection against Pythium and Rhizoctonia, two modes against Fusarium and SDS, plus white mold suppression and nematode protection. The formulation also includes protection against seed-borne Phomopsis and Sclerotinia.

Research highlighted in Latham’s seed treatment evaluations demonstrates the value of enhanced protection against disease and nematode pressure, reinforcing the company’s emphasis on helping farmers establish healthy, productive soybean stands.

In addition to SoyShield Ultra, Latham offers SoyShield® Plus as its base fungicide and insecticide treatment. The company also offers Victrato® featuring TYMIRIUM® technology, an additional seed treatment option designed to help protect against SDS and SCN.

“Every field is different, and that’s why we offer seed treatment options,” Latham said. “Our goal is to help farmers match the right genetics and seed treatment protection to their individual fields.”

Latham encourages growers to consider field history, disease pressure and variety selection when making seed treatment decisions for 2027. By pairing strong soybean genetics with treatment options developed around regional growing conditions, the company aims to help farmers protect their seed investment and maximize yield potential.

For more information about Latham’s soybean seed treatment options, visit LathamSeeds.com or contact your local Latham Dealer.

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Since 1947, Latham Seeds has been committed to delivering seed products in corn, soybeans and alfalfa that are field-tested, proven on the farm and trusted by farmers. By combining localized product research, personal service and a deep passion for rural communities, Latham Seeds helps farmers maximize their yield potential — one field at a time. Learn more at www.lathamseeds.com. Latham and Latham Hi-Tech Seeds are trademarks of M.S. Technologies, L.L.C.

From proven performers to exciting new genetics, this year’s Latham® soybean lineup offers different combinations of yield potential, disease defense and agronomic strength.

Here are four varieties we’ll be watching as harvest results roll in.

L 1912 E3: The Defensive Beast

We called this one a defensive beast for a reason.

New L 1912 E3 combines huge yield potential with a serious defensive package, including strong defense against Brown Stem Rot, Iron Deficiency Chlorosis, soybean white mold, Sudden Death Syndrome and Phytophthora Root Rot.

Add excellent emergence and extremely strong standability, and this new superstar has plenty to watch at harvest.

L 2337 E3: The Contest Winner

Want a reason to pay attention to L 2337 E3? Start with this one: It’s a yield-contest winner.

But yield isn’t its only calling card. L 2337 E3 also brings strong emergence, the Rps1k gene for Phytophthora Root Rot and PI88788 for Soybean Cyst Nematode protection.

That combination of yield and defensive traits makes it an intriguing package.

L 1181 E3: The Superstar

L 1181 E3 came into the lineup with “superstar” attached to its name — and there’s plenty behind the nickname.

This variety combines high yield potential with Peking-source SCN resistance, excellent standability and exceptional tolerance to IDC and Phytophthora Root Rot. It has also delivered consistent performance across yield environments.

In other words, there’s more than one reason we’ll be watching the numbers.

L 1558 E3: The Proven Performer

Not every variety we’re watching is the newest kid on the block.

L 1558 E3 has delivered multiple years of strong yield performance across Latham Country. Strong emergence and standability combine with the Rps3a gene for Phytophthora Root Rot and resistance to Brown Stem Rot.

Sometimes the most exciting harvest result is seeing a proven performer do it again.

Follow Along This Harvest

Individual fields and plots provide valuable information, but the bigger picture develops as results come in across different soils, environments and management systems.

We’ll be following that bigger picture throughout harvest.

Follow Latham on social for John’s Harvest Reports and more results straight from fields across Latham Country.

harvest gives farmers more than a yield number

As the combine moves across the field, it’s also revealing where disease showed up, which products stood strong, how different acres responded to stress and where management decisions paid off.

Those observations can provide valuable clues for 2027.

Where Did Disease Show Up?

Make note of disease pressure while the evidence is still easy to see.

Did Sudden Death Syndrome appear in certain soybean fields? White mold in others? Did stalk disease affect standability in corn?

Field history matters. Knowing where problems occurred — and how different products handled them — can help guide variety selection, seed treatment decisions and management strategies for next season.

What Stayed Standing?

Yield matters, but so does getting that yield into the combine.

Pay attention to stalk and root strength in corn and standability in soybeans. Which products maintained late-season plant health? Where did lodging occur? Did certain fields or growing conditions create more problems than others?

Those observations can help identify where stronger defensive characteristics may deserve more consideration in 2027.

What Happened on Your Tougher Acres?

Some of the most useful harvest information may come from fields that didn’t have ideal growing conditions.

Look at how products handled drought stress, excess moisture, disease pressure and variable soils. A product that held its own under challenging conditions may tell you just as much as one that topped the yield monitor on your best ground.

Where Did Population and Placement Matter?

Did a flex-ear corn hybrid respond well at a moderate population? Did another product seem better suited to your highest-yielding acres? Were there differences between soil types or management practices?

The goal isn’t simply to identify the highest-yielding product. It’s to understand where each product performs best.

What Would You Do Differently in 2027?

Harvest is a good time to start building that list.

Maybe one field needs stronger disease protection. Another needs a product better suited for stress. Perhaps this season reinforced the value of spreading risk across different genetics, maturities and trait packages.

Every field is different — and every growing season teaches us something new.

Before the details of 2026 fade, take a few notes. Talk through what you’re seeing with your Latham® Dealer. Look beyond the final yield number and consider the story behind it.

Because your fields may already be telling you what they need in 2027.

Alexander, Iowa – Yield may be the number that gets the most attention at harvest, but Latham Hi-Tech Seeds says understanding why products perform the way they do can provide even greater value to farmers.

Through research and demonstration trials, Latham studies how genetics interact with different environments and management practices to help farmers make more informed product placement and crop management decisions.

“Yield is always important, but a yield number alone doesn’t tell the whole story,” said John Latham, third-generation seedsman with Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. “We want to understand why products respond differently and use what we learn to help farmers put the right genetics on the right acres.”

Research at Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center has included studies and demonstrations involving hybrid response to population, planting depth, Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC), biologicals, planting dates, cover crops, no-till and continuous corn.

Latham also evaluates products across multiple locations and environments to better understand their strengths and determine where they may perform best.

That approach is especially important as farmers manage increasingly complex product and management decisions.

“Different fields have different challenges, and every growing season brings something we can’t predict,” Latham said. “Research helps us better understand those differences so we can provide farmers with more than a product. We can provide information that helps them make decisions with confidence.”

Insights from Latham research are used to refine product placement recommendations, support agronomic education and identify new questions for future trials.

For more information about Latham Hi-Tech Seeds research and agronomic resources, visit LathamSeeds.com.

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Since 1947, Latham Seeds has been committed to delivering seed products in corn, soybeans and alfalfa that are field-tested, proven on the farm and trusted by farmers. By combining localized product research, personal service and a deep passion for rural communities, Latham Seeds helps farmers maximize their yield potential — one field at a time. Learn more at www.lathamseeds.com. Latham and Latham Hi-Tech Seeds are trademarks of M.S. Technologies, L.L.C.

White mold has an annoying habit of making itself obvious when there’s not much you can do about it.

By the time its telltale white, cottony growth appears on soybean stems, infection has already occurred. And because the sclerotia that carry the fungus can survive in the soil for years, a field with a history of white mold deserves extra attention long before symptoms appear.

That’s why managing white mold isn’t just about reacting to what you see in the field. It’s about building a plan before the next crop goes in.

Know Where You’re at Risk

Cool, wet conditions and moisture within a dense soybean canopy can create favorable conditions for white mold development. Fields with a history of the disease deserve particular attention when planning for the next growing season.

Good field notes are a great place to start. Record where white mold appeared, how severely different varieties were affected and the field conditions where pressure was greatest.

Then use that information when making next year’s seed decisions.

Build Defense into Your Seed Selection

Variety selection is one of the most important tools farmers have for managing white mold risk.

Look closely at white mold ratings and other defensive characteristics when selecting soybeans for fields with a known history of disease. Latham’s 2027 soybean lineup includes varieties with strong white mold tolerance, including new K-Class products that combine top-end yield potential with the defensive characteristics needed across Latham Country.

Your Latham® Dealer can help evaluate options and match soybean products to the disease history, soils and management practices of each field.

Add Another Layer with SoyShield Ultra

Seed treatment provides another opportunity to build protection into your plan before planting.

Latham SoyShield Ultra brings several components together in one treatment package, including HeadsUp® for Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and soybean white mold suppression. It also includes an increased rate of mefenoxam compared to SoyShield Plus, BIOST for nematode and insect protection, and Amplifyr to support early-season plant growth.

In other words, SoyShield Ultra isn’t just about white mold. It’s designed to give soybeans broader protection against several of the disease and pest pressures farmers face across the Upper Midwest.

And that’s an important distinction: there isn’t one silver bullet for white mold.

The better approach is to layer management decisions — knowing your field history, selecting varieties with the right defensive package, using appropriate seed treatment and continuing to scout throughout the season.

Start Planning Now

If you’re seeing white mold in your fields this season, don’t just make a mental note and move on.

Document it. Talk about it with your Latham Dealer. And use what you’re seeing today to make a stronger plan for 2027.

You can’t control what Mother Nature delivers next season. But you can make decisions now that help your soybeans stand up to the pressure.

Talk with your local Latham Dealer about soybean selection and whether SoyShield Ultra is a good fit for your acres.

In 1947, Willard Latham saw oat smut reducing yields for farmers near Alexander, Iowa. He installed a grain cleaner in his granary to help improve the seed his neighbors were planting—and a family seed business was born.

Agriculture has changed dramatically since then. Genetics have advanced. Trait technologies have expanded. Farming operations have grown more sophisticated.

But one thing hasn’t changed at Latham: farmers remain at the center of what we do.

That commitment comes to life in our new 2027 Product Guide, featuring what Latham President John Latham calls the strongest portfolio the company has ever offered.

More Choices for Every Acre

No two farms are exactly alike. Neither are the acres within them.

That’s why Latham continues to build a diverse portfolio with multiple genetic backgrounds, trait technologies and maturity options. We believe farmers deserve choices—not one-size-fits-all recommendations.

Our 2027 corn lineup includes products ranging from early to full-season maturities, with conventional and traited options designed for a wide variety of yield environments and management practices.

The soybean lineup includes exciting new K-Class products selected for strong yield potential and defensive characteristics, along with proven technologies and maturities suited for farmers throughout Latham Country.

Livestock producers will also find industry-leading alfalfa options designed to meet the demands of today’s forage production systems.

Research That Starts at the Farm

Products don’t earn a place in the Latham lineup based on a spreadsheet alone.

Our research process includes replicated Elite Trials across different soil types and growing environments, farmer-planted Showcase Plots and Training in Excellence (T.I.E.) plots throughout Latham Country.

Those trials help our product team evaluate performance, identify strengths and determine where each product fits best.

Just as important is the feedback we receive from Latham Dealers and farmers. Their experience helps shape not only which products make the lineup, but how we recommend placing them.

Because at Latham, research has always started at the farm.

Farmer Focused Since 1947

The release of the 2027 Product Guide begins an especially meaningful year for Latham.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, Latham is celebrating 80 years of serving farmers.

Both milestones remind us of values that have shaped generations of American agriculture: hard work, perseverance, innovation and the freedom to choose your own path.

Being Farmer Focused means giving farmers the options, information and support to make those choices with confidence.

Products and technologies will continue to change. Farming practices will evolve. New challenges will emerge.

But after 80 years, our commitment remains the same.

Farmer Focused. Then. Now. Always.

Ready to see what’s new for 2027?

Explore the complete 2027 Latham Hi-Tech Seeds Product Guide.

No two fields are exactly alike. Soil type, yield environment, cropping history and pest pressure can vary across an operation — which is why choosing seed shouldn’t necessarily mean choosing one product and planting it everywhere.

A strong seed plan starts with matching the right products to the right acres.

Latham’s corn and soybean lineups offer depth across a wide range of maturities, yield environments and productivity levels. That gives farmers and their Latham® Dealers the ability to build a package of products around the needs of an entire operation.

For example, farmers planting corn in the 99- to 103-day maturity range have several options with different strengths. LH 4986 PCE RA offers versatility and the ability to perform in tougher yield environments. LH 5106 PCE RA is built for offensive acres, while proven LH 5226 PCE RA combines top-end yield potential with the ability to handle tougher soils.

Fields with different management needs may call for another approach. For corn-on-corn acres where below-ground protection is important, Latham has added depth in the 101- to 105-day range with new LH 5128 SS PRO RIB, LH 5358 SS PRO RIB and LH 5418 SS PRO RIB, alongside LH 5578 SS PRO.

Product selection is only the first step

Product selection is only one part of building a plan for the season. Seed treatment can provide another layer of protection during the critical early stages of crop development.

SoyShield ULTRA brings several components together in one treatment package. It includes an increased rate of mefenoxam over SoyShield Plus; HeadsUp for Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and Soybean White Mold (SWM) suppression; BIOST for nematode and insect protection; and Amplifyr, a biostimulant designed to support early-season plant growth.

The goal is the same whether you’re selecting hybrids, soybean varieties or seed treatment: give each acre what it needs to get the season off to the strongest possible start.

As harvest approaches and you begin evaluating this year’s results and planning for next season, talk with your local Latham Dealer about building a seed package around your fields, your challenges and your yield goals.

1. How early is too early?
2. Is the soil temperature warm enough to start planting?
3. What depth should I be planting?

Q1: Generally, farmers maximize corn yield when they plant in late April or early May.
This holds true IF conditions are fit for planting. A mid-April planting date produces similar yield if young plants are not damaged by a freeze in May. In years with few growing degree days in late April and the first half of May, farmers can maximize corn yield when planting in mid-May.

When spring arrives early, farmers should weigh the risks and benefits of planting earlier than usual. Farmers with federal crop insurance will lose replant coverage if they plant before the earliest allowable planting dates specified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency — even if they must replant due to factors other than freeze damage or poor emergence.

Seed treatments and planting high quality seed are a must with early planting.

Q2: Before planting, check the weather forecast and soil temperatures for your area.

It’s wise to check the soil temperature early in the morning of each field that you intend to plant. Wet soils and fields with more crop residue tend to have lower soil temperatures relative to drier soils or fields with less crop residue. Check the seed tag or talk to your seed dealer about the cold tolerance of your corn hybrids. Be aware that hybrids vary in cold tolerance.

Certainly, plant hybrids that have more tolerance for colder temperatures first. However, be aware that “imbibitional chilling” is a physical phenomenon that can override genetics. Imbibitional water uptake occurs within the first 48 hours after a seed is planted.

Once planted, corn seeds need a two-day (48-hour) window when the soil temperature at planting depth does not drop much below 50°F. When soil temperatures drop much lower than 50°F within that 48-hour time frame, chilling injury may affect seed germination and subsequent seedling growth.

During the osmotic phase of water uptake, which starts about 48 hours after the initial imbibitional phase of water uptake ends, the risk of chilling injury approaches zero. Thereafter, temperatures below 50°F can slow germination and delay seedling emergence. This can result in a longer exposure to soil-borne pathogens, particularly in soggy wet soils. If you expect the latter, use fungicide seed treatment for at least your earliest planted corn fields.

When corn seeds imbibe (take up) water, cell membranes stretch and cells expand. When a damaged cell membrane rehydrates, it may not return to its normal shape and size. This can create a “leaky” cell. Water is at its densest at about 39°F, so when cold water is imbibed additional membrane damage occurs. These ruptured membranes may occur in the cell walls and in the mitochondria. In the plant, this action may disrupt the embryo/endosperm enzymatic conversion to energy. It likely interferes with the emerging seedling’s development and reduces the plant’s growth rate.

• Debate exists about what specific temperature and timing causes imbibitional chilling. However, corn seeds that imbibe cold water (in the low 40s) in the first 48 hours after planting undoubtedly are affected.
• Planting when soil temperatures are above 50°F — and are not anticipated to drop much below this during the following 48 hours — alleviates concerns of imbibitional chilling affecting corn emergence.

Q3: Check seed depth and seed depth consistency across your planter units.

The “set it and forget it” approach to seed depth isn’t the best idea. To get corn off to the best start, it is important to achieve both rapid and consistent emergence following planting.

One aspect of achieving rapid and consistent plant emergence is by choosing the correct seeding depth and ensuring there is adequate and uniform moisture at the chosen seeding depth. The most common seeding depths recommended for corn range between 2.0 and 2.5 inches deep, and these planting depths can work very well within most conditions. However, certain soil moisture conditions at planting may warrant further examination/change in seeding depth.

A corn seed imbibes soil moisture within the first 24 to 48 hours after planting, therefore maintaining both adequate and uniform moisture at seeding depth (not too wet and not too dry) within the first 48 hours is important. If the soil remains too dry, then the seed may be delayed in emergence until precipitation occurs. Furthermore, if the soil remains saturated after planting, the seed may rot and die.

Contact your local Latham® representative to find out more information about ideal planting depth for your area, or call 1.877.GO.LATHAM.

Seed treatments are one of the most efficient crop protection technologies as they reduce farmers’ need for foliar spray applications. They also offer some certainty because field and weather conditions can prevent farmers from entering the field to apply fungicide and/or insecticide after seeding.

Applying treatment directly on the seed before planting protects seeds and young plants, regardless of field conditions. Because seed treatment is a targeted, one-time application of pesticides to seeds, seedlings are protected during their most vulnerable stages of growth. Spraying fungicides or insecticides during these early growth stages is unlikely to be as effective because sprays are less targeted.

Treated seeds carry a precise amount of pesticide that protects the seed during early growth, which is the critical growth period before and during germination. Seed treatments also are a “curative treatment,” protecting plants against seed-borne diseases.

Research shows that seed treatments deliver more robust seedlings to farmers, protect plant stands and maximize yield potential. Conversely, farmers not using seed treatments in high pest pressure areas can see yield losses of 50% or more.

Help secure a return on your seed investment with seed treatment! But don’t just take our word for it… take crop notes this growing season and compare data from multiple years. The Latham Team is here to answer your questions at 1-877-GO-LATHAM (877-465-2842).

If you liked this article, watch this episode of Beyond the Bushel. John Latham and Justin Prokosch break down Latham’s three new soybean blends, what makes each unique, how they can help boost results this season and why they are exited to be apart of Victrato® with TYMIRIUM® technology, a new seed treatment from Syngenta. 

Did you enjoy this article? We want to (TECH)talk with you! Sign up for our newsletter to receive agronomy article in your inbox! We’ll TALK soon.

Victrato®, TYMIRIUM®, and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. 

J-Class Soybeans Take Center Stage

One of the most talked-about moments of Latham Dealer Kickoff was the debut of our J-Class Soybeans. Designed to give our dealers and customers an edge on every acre, Latham’s J-Class Soybeans are so good they’re in a class by themselves.

We’re introducing 32 new J-Class varieties for 2026 planting, 12 of which carry our Ironclad protection for superior disease resistance and standability. With yield potential and agronomic strength like this, we’re confident J-Class will be a game-changer for farmers across Latham Country.

Learning from the Experts

Dealer Kickoff also featured an engaging presentation from Dr. Greg Tylka of Iowa State University, a leading authority on soybean cyst nematode (SCN) management. Dr. Tylka shared the latest research on SCN-resistant soybean varieties, how resistance is changing over time and the critical role of field scouting in protecting yields. His insights reinforced the importance of pairing top-tier genetics — like J-Class — with proactive SCN management strategies.

Dr. Greg Tylka, Iowa State University

Raising Money for Cancer Research

Midwesterners mark celebrations with special foods, and Latham Dealer Kickoff is no exception. This year we held a dessert auction to raise money for our Seeds of Hope campaign and raised more than $4,600. Special thanks to Tony Friesen of 2 Pins Bakery in Mankato for working with us to provide 15 different types of delicious cakes and pies including Whopper, Reece’s, Andes Mint, Snickerdoodle, French Silk and more!

During our annual banquet, we feasted on pork loin. Special thanks to Iowa Pork for sharing the following recipe with us! 

Building Momentum for 2026

Dealer Kickoff isn’t just about new products. It’s about building relationships, sharing strategies and setting the tone for the year ahead. From networking with fellow dealers to learning about programs designed to drive early orders, every conversation pointed toward one goal: helping farmers make the most of every field, every season.

With the Freedom of Independence guiding our decisions and the unmatched performance of J-Class Soybeans in our lineup, we’re ready to make the 2026 sales year one for the record books.

Thank you to every dealer who made the trip to Mankato. Your dedication is the reason we can remain independent, innovative and focused on what matters most.

Pork Loin

• Bowl
• Large resealable plastic bag
• Roasting pan, rimmed cookie sheet, or 9×13 pan
• Aluminum foil

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 large garlic cloves (chopped)
• 1 bunch of rosemary (1/2 cup, leaves only, coarsely chopped OR 2 1/2 Tablespoons dried rosemary)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 pounds center-cut pork loin

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. In a small bowl, mix olive oil with the garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper.
3. Rub the mixture all over the pork. Transfer the pork and marinade to a large, resealable plastic bag and refrigerate overnight.
4. Spray oil in a roasting pan if you have one. If not, use a rimmed cookie sheet or 9×13 pan. To re-create the roasting rack, place a metal cooling rack in the bottom or use aluminum foil. Tear off approximately 12” of foil; form it into a snake and then into a ring. Make as many rings as you need to keep the pork loin off the bottom of the pan. This promotes circulation of the heat underneath and around your loin, which helps the meat to cook evenly.
5. Place your seasoned pork, fat side up, in your prepared pan.
6. Add oiled/seasoned vegetables around your pork loin to make it a complete meal. Use vegetables that require longer cook times like potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots.
7. Roast in a 400 F oven for 15 minutes. This gives you that nice crispy crust that everyone loves!
8. Turn your oven temperature down to 325 F (no need to open the oven) and continue cooking until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. The time will vary based on the size of your loin and what you are cooking with it. Check it after 30 minutes with a meat thermometer and add small time increments as needed. Do not exceed 145 F with any pork loin recipe! Pork is very lean, so overcooking it will result in a dry and tough product.
9. Once your pork loin has reach 145 F, remove it from the oven and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. A 3-minute rest will redistribute the juices throughout the meat before you cut into it. This is key to succulent pork!