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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

More Updates to XtendiMax® Herbicide Label

Last November the U.S. EPA approved the use of XtendiMax® with VaporGrip® technology on Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans. It didn’t take long for competitors and opponents of the Xtend technology to point out the limitations, but many of their talking points are now moot.

The U.S. EPA, as promised, has allowed a number of significant changes to the XtendiMax herbicide label. First and foremost, Roundup PowerMAX® and WeatherMAX® formulations have been added. In addition, 34 (and counting) other herbicides are approved for tank-mixing with XtendiMax! There are now more than 110 approved adjuvants that may be added, plus the number of approved nozzles had grown to 26 as of early April.

For farmers who intend to use XtendiMax herbicide, visit their website often to stay abreast of the latest developments.

A section under the TANK MIX tab titled “REQUIRED DRIFT REDUCING ADJUVANTS (DRA’s)” lists products that minimize particle drift if used in combination with certain herbicides and other adjuvants. Products needing DRA’s are clearly spelled out in the herbicide and adjuvant sections.

Visit the XtendiMax website for the latest developments: http://www.xtendimaxapplicationrequirements.com

Another very critical section of the website is “APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.” Here, farmers can learn what is needed to minimize drift, volatilization and off-target applications of this important herbicide technology.

I’m excited to see so many early-adopters planning to use both Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, and the subsequent use of the XtendiMax with VaporGrip technology herbicide to help control tough-to-kill weeds in 2017. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we believe this will be just one of the many new and exciting soybean technologies that farmers will need to combat resistant weeds in the future.

May 16, 2017

Soybeans, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Control Planting Conditions to Maximize Yield Potential

The planters are ready to roll as this is coming to you! That’s why I’m reminding everyone how important the proper start to the season is.

If the planting season gets off to a bad start, it’s only going to get worse throughout the growing season. That’s why it’s so important to plant into fit soil conditions, at the proper depth and at a slow enough speed.

As a farmer, I understand the urgency to get seed in the ground. We’re so eager that sometimes we mud the crop into a less than desirable seed bed, and sometimes we plant at higher speeds to get more acres planted in a day. However, days on the calendar don’t make up for mistakes in the field. Keep in mind that haste makes waste.

A few years ago, I conducted speed and planter depth testing on our farm. I found that our John Deere 7000 planter was most accurate at 4.5 to 4.8 miles per hour (mph), and our yields were the best at a depth of 1.75 to 2 inches. I saw as much as a 10-bushel difference at higher planting speeds and a 20-bushel difference when seed was planted at 1.25 to 1.5 inches deep. Root systems were considerably smaller where the seed was planted shallower and at faster speeds.

Also remember to check depth and spacing each time you move to a different field to ensure depth and spacing works in that field’s soil type and texture. Wishing you all a safe and great planting season!

April 20, 2017

Corn, Crop, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

From the Field Crop Report for April 19

The time is here! #Plant17 has arrived, and farmers throughout the region are gearing up for the 2017 growing season. Pictures can often best portray what is happening in the world around us, so we have updated our weekly From the Field crop reports! We will be sharing #crop17 highlights throughout our marketing territory, with a photo or two to accompany it. These pictures are submitted from our Regional Sales Managers who are in the field every day with our dealers and customers. We hope you enjoy our first From the Field report for the 2017 planting season below!

Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

Spring fieldwork in underway. Farmers in western North Dakota are applying anhydrous and focusing on getting small grains planted.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

There’s still snow in the ditches between Minot and Bismarck, so it’s evident that not all fields are fit for planting yet in North Dakota. Small grains are going in the ground in the southeast part of our state. One Latham® customer who lives north by Rolette said it might be mid-May before they’re able to get in the field.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Fog looms in Northeast South Dakota. Very little fieldwork and small grain seeding has been done here as soils are wet. Fieldwork is progressing in Central SD where moisture is lacking.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

A view of some spring prep work from the driver’s seat in South Dakota.

Planting conditions have been ideal for small grains in South Dakota!! Corn will have to wait, but until then small grains are in full swing.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

Preventative maintenance is underway near Gilby, ND for spring planting.

Southern Minnesota

Brandon Wendlandt

Rain showers have been falling this week across southern Minnesota, but the seed I’m moving around is under cover and dry.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

Areas of the state were affected by winterkill on their alfalfa acres. Pictured here is a good stand of alfalfa in southern Wisconsin. It’s estimated that 75,000 to 100,000 acres of alfalfa in Wisconsin is suffering from some sort of winter damage.

As farmers wait for fields to dry out, there are still many farms that need to haul manure before planting can begin. A farmer is loaded up with turkey manure headed to the field, attempting to beat the rain.

A semi backs up to the seed shed of a dealer in Wisconsin. As the last bit of corn arrives, dealers are making sure to deliver seed to the growers before they hit the fields.

Seed sits in the shop awaiting dry weather to get planted. Most of the state has been blanketed with rain over the past two weeks, and more rain on the way Wednesday afternoon. Much of the state is waiting for the ground to dry out before working up any ground. Depending on how much rain is received Wednesday evening, I expect tillage equipment and planters to be rolling this weekend.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

This season we’re looking forward to conducting a variable planting rate and multi-hybrid research study for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds on our family farm near Spencer. Here my brother, Tim, and my six-year-old son and I are working on the multi-hybrid planter. Photo credit to my nephew, Dan, who’s studying Agricultural Systems Technology at Iowa State University.

We’ve been busy preparing our new planter, which is color coordinated. Blue indicates one particular hybrid and orange is another. Blue supplies the odd rows of the planter and orange supplies the even rows.

South Central Minnesota & North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

Winter kill is evident in alfalfa fields across North Central Iowa due to ponding and ice cover. Check out these articles on The Field Position to help evaluate winter kill and to manage alfalfa based on winter injury.

Southeast Minnesota & Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

A few units of seed has yet to be delivered as wet weather stalled planting progress here in North Iowa. Rain is in the forecast again this week for Wednesday and Thursday.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

Farmers across western Iowa worked around rain showers to get seed in the ground. In this photo, LH 5096 VT PRO was being planted near Rolfe on April 11.

Latham® dealer Jenna Ricklefs making seed corn deliveries.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Latham® seed sorted and ready for delivery.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

Latham dealer in Pella, IA discusses the benefits of using cover crops the last 3 years consecutive.

Western Iowa & Eastern Nebraska

Larry Krapfl

Pictured above is a great stand of alfalfa in western Iowa. Outstanding weather has contributed to the great stand is because of increased seeding populations. Research has shown a remarkable response to increased seeding populations.

April 19, 2017

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

Quick Steps to Slow Spread of Soybean Aphid Resistance
The number one soybean insect pest is growing across the Upper Midwest. Recent reports indicate some aphid populations are developing resistance to insecticides, especially pyrethroid products.

While we may not be able to stop the spread of this resistance, we can certainly slow it down by using these best management practices:
- Avoid spraying any insecticide if the economic threshold has not been reached. The accepted economic threshold is 250 aphids per plant in 80% of the field as long as the aphid population is increasing. This should not be confused with the injury threshold, which ranges from 600 to 700 aphids per plant. The economic threshold is designed to give farmers time to apply insecticide before the field reaches the injury threshold.
- Use insecticides with different modes of action just like we use herbicides with different modes of action to help control resistant weeds. Some common examples of pyrethroid products include Warrior®, Mustang®, Asana®, Baythroid® and Pounce®, as well as a host of generic products. Lorsban® is an example of an organophosphate insecticide that may be used for aphid control.
- Avoid adding insecticide to herbicide application just as “insurance” or to save a trip across the field, as this can easily lead to resistance problems.
- When applying insecticides, good coverage is essential. Higher spray volumes and pressure help to move the product down into the soybean canopy.
- As with many potential threats, scouting early and often is crucial to overall success!Soybean aphids can greatly increase in numbers if the weather is cooler than normal and if natural predators are not present.
First identified in Wisconsin during the summer of 2000, soybean aphids are found in 21 states and three Canadian provinces. Besides the damage they do by sucking sap from plants, aphids also are vectors of several viruses that attack soybeans.

Scouting for aphids is key for maintaining the health of your soybean crop now… and in the future. Do what you can now to keep numbers down and to avoid insecticide resistance from building.
April 12, 2017

Agronomics, Crop, Insects, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Xtend Soybeans: Frequently Asked Questions
There are lots of questions with any new products, and that’s also the case with Xtend soybeans and the new herbicide XtendiMax™ with VaporGrip™ technology. Below are answers to frequently asked questions:

Q. Do Xtend soybeans yield as well as other soybeans?

A. The short answer is yes. Latham’s Xtend soybeans excelled in the 2016 F.I.R.S.T. Trials. Like any soybean variety, optimal yield is achieved by placing them in the correct environment.

Q. Does VaporGrip control drift?

A. VaporGrip does NOT control drift, but it does significantly reduces the potential of volatility.

Q. How can I control drift?

A. Here’s a summary of required application requirements:
- Use nozzles and operating pressure listed on the herbicide product label to minimize driftable fines. These nozzles make bigger droplets that, when used with lower pressure and a minimum of 10 gallons of spray solution per acre, help minimize drift.
- Use at the application rate of 22 fluid ounces per acre for any single, in-crop application.
- Do not exceed a boom height of 24 inches above the target pest or soybean canopy.
- Apply when wind speed is between 3-10 mph, and avoid application if there is no breeze at all.
- Do not exceed 15 mph ground speed.
- Do not apply when wind is blowing toward adjacent susceptible crops.
Q. Do I have to put in a buffer strip?

A. The label requires a buffer to protect sensitive areas. Read and follow the label instructions.

Q. Can I apply Ammonium Sulfate (AMS) with XtendiMax with VaporGrip?

A. Ammonium Sulfate and ammonium-based additives are prohibited in applications that include XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology.

Q. Can I tank mix any Roundup with XtendiMax herbicide?

A. To find a list of approved products for tank mixing, click here. Before application, farmers and applicators should visit http://www.roundupreadyxtend.com/ to see if any new products have been approved for tank mixing.

Q. Am I required to use a residual herbicide with XtendiMax with VaporGrip?

A. You are not required to do so, but using a residual pre- and post-emergence strategy as outlined in the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System for in-crop use will give better weed control and can net you $14/acre cash back.

Q. Do I get any residual activity with XtendiMax Herbicide with Vapor Grip?

A. You can get up to 14 days of soil activity from Dicamba on certain small-seeded broadleaf weeds to help other residual herbicides control weeds.

Q. Do I have to spray XtendiMax Herbicide on Xtend soybeans.

A. No, you can spray Xtend soybeans with any herbicide approved for Roundup Ready soybeans.

This Q&A is not meant as a substitute for reading and following all product labeling. Find more insight below:
- Farmers Have More Options to Fight Weeds
- Latham Offers Xtend Products for 2017 Planting
March 29, 2017

Crop, Seed Technology, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Balance™ GT Soybeans: One Step Closer to Commercialization
Visitors to Latham headquarters last fall for our field day saw replicated tests of Balance GT along with EnlistTM, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® and LibertyLink® soybeans. Plots conducted by Latham’s Research Team show there are good genetics to go with the Balance GT technology, so we’re eager for full approval to make them available.

February and March are key months for Latham’s product team as we focus on choosing next year’s product lineup. What we grow in 2017 becomes the seed we offer for 2018, so you might say our 2018 guide “hangs in the balance.”

Last month, Balance™ GT soybeans received import approval from China. Balance™ GT has already received approval from these critical countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the European Union. However, Balance® Bean herbicide is pending registration.

Bayer has announced it won’t release the technology until the chemical is fully approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Balance GT soybeans may be sprayed with glyphosate and with Balance Bean herbicide, which contains the same active ingredient as Balance herbicide for corn. Although the first generation of Balance GT products won’t have resistance to Liberty herbicide, Bayer plans to add Liberty resistance in the near future.

Balance™ GT and Monsanto’s Xtend™ soybeans have both been approved in the past year, and we’re hopeful that Dow’s Enlist™ soybeans will be approved in 2017. We’re eager for this approval for two reasons:
1. Farmers need new tools to win the fight against weed resistance.
2. Increased competition helps keep seed prices down. With the Bayer/Monsanto merger pending; all of these technologies would be controlled by one company: RR1, RR2, RR2 Xtend, Liberty and Balance GT. There’s a good chance one of more of these technologies will be sold for the Justice Department to approve the merger. I believe it’s in farmers’ best interest for these technologies to be owned by competing companies.
One benefit of our family-owned seed business is that we can access the industry’s latest and greatest technologies, regardless of which trait providers own them! That means Latham dealers can sell seed that best fits a customer’s situation.

As well, stay tuned for updates on new approvals. You can be sure we will offer new products as soon as they become commercially available!
John Latham, President

March 22, 2017

Agriculture, Crop, Industry News, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Three Ways Latham Helps Farmers Reduce Risk
Due to another down year of commodity prices, combined with uncertainty in the marketplace and the transition to a new presidential administration, many Midwest farmers are looking for ways to limit their risk exposure. Here are three key ways farmers can limit risk in 2017:
1. LATHAM’S FREE REPLANT POLICY. Qualifying is simple: Purchase at least 60 units more of Latham® corn than was ordered in 2016 and/or a minimum of 120 units of treated soybeans, and you will qualify for free replant! This low-cost insurance policy offers a great options for our customers.
2. SEED TREATMENTS. The old saying, “It’s hard to save your way to prosperity,” really holds true here! So much of a farmer’s money is invested in seed that it’s hard for me to understand why some people forego seed treatment. This is where the saying, “Penny wise but pound foolish” comes into play. Seed treatment is a good return on investment. Data shows a 3 – 5 bushel advantage on fungicides and insecticides that provide protection against diseases and insects in certain parts of our market. Last week, Mark Grundmeier wrote about how soybeans treated with ILeVO® yielded 8 – 18 bushels per acre, even where Sudden Death Syndrome wasn’t severe.
3. FIELDXFIELD™ YIELDS. Crop planning, field by field, helps farmers reduce risk by placing the best products on given soil types and farming practices. It also takes into consideration disease, plant population and weed control. Determining the best population for both corn and soybeans also is a good way to reduce cost since many farmers plant soybeans too thick. Paying special attention to ear type (flex, semi-flex or determinate) makes a big difference in choosing the right population.
One final point to make is the stability and proven performance of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and its products. Our family-owned, independent company will celebrate its 70th year of business in 2017. In addition, we set records (again) in 2016 with our F.I.R.S.T. Trials Seed Tests across the regions we serve. Go to lathamseeds.com to see the data.

Feel free to also contact us at 1.877.GO.LATHAM. Also remember to “search” for specific agronomic topics like “risk management” on TheFieldPosition.com for more information.
February 15, 2017

Agronomics, Crop, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tips for Managing SDS in 2017 and Beyond
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in 2016 affected numerous soybean fields in the Upper Midwest. We saw SDS in fields where it had never been a problem, and some of that can be attributed to Mother Nature. Frequent or heavy rains can add to the severity of the disease, and irrigated fields are also at higher risk.

While we cannot control the weather and it’s not possible to get rid of this soil-borne fungus, there are strategies you can implement to protect future yield:
- Studies show SDS severity increases when high populations of Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) are present. Practices that lower the SCN population may also help decrease SDS, but note SDS and SCN can infect fields on their own.
- Improving drainage and soil structure, as well as reducing compaction, can help reduce the severity of SDS. Any movement of infected soil spreads both SCN and SDS within the field and to other fields.
- Wait for fit soils. Working or planting into wet soils greatly enhances the disease. I spoke with farmers who rolled their fields in 2016 when conditions were too wet, which increased the severity and incidence of SDS in their fields.
- Crop rotation. There have been reports of farmers using an oats and alfalfa/clover rotation in a third year that seemed to reduce SDS severity. However, crop rotation in general hasn’t been effective in managing SDS, as the SDS fungus readily invades corn roots. Legume crops like alfalfa, clovers, navy beans and pinto beans also can host the SDS fungus.
- Plant soybean varieties that are tolerant to the disease. While no soybean brand is completely resistant, planting tolerant varieties can minimize yield loss. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we evaluate soybeans for a wide range of diseases, including SDS. Only those with the best defensive packages earn the IRONCLADTM distinction.
- Delayed planting allows the soil to dry and warm. Because overall soybean yield research shows higher yield potential with early planting dates— even if SDS is present at moderate levels — I recommend delayed planting only when a field has a history of severe SDS and yields have been drastically reduced in past years.
- Employ ILeVO®. The most exciting new tactic for SDS management is ILeVO seed treatment from Bayer CropScience. Numerous university trials have shown IleVO effectively reduces SDS severity and protects yield. Latham’s own research across 26 locations in 2016 showed an average benefit of 3.64 bu/A, which easily pays for the cost of the treatment.(See the January 2017 issue of TECHtalk for more details.) Other seed treatments claim efficacy on SDS, but university research shows the level of effectiveness from thiabendazole products like Mertect® are not quite as good as what ILeVO shows.
If Sudden Death Syndrome is a potential problem in your area for 2016, do all that you can to limit its effect in the future. Feel free to call me if you have any questions.
February 8, 2017

Agronomics, Crop, Disease, Soybeans