Of these, “when to spray” may be the most critical decision a grower makes. Injury or stress to a young plant can have lasting effects that aren’t always visible to the naked eye. Understanding crop growth stages—and how they align with product label requirements—is essential for making sound application decisions and protecting yield potential. Let’s start with corn.  

Corn Growth Stages and Application Timing 

Herbicide and crop protection labels typically reference growth stages when outlining application timing. The corn growth stage chart is an excellent resource for understanding these stages.  

VE (Emergence) occurs when the coleoptile reaches and breaks through the soil surface. Corn generally requires about 100–200 growing degree units (GDUs) to emerge, which can take as little as four to five days after planting under warm, moist conditions. During this time, growth is also occurring below ground as the nodal root system begins to develop. 

Emergence can be rapid in favorable soil conditions but may take three weeks or longer in cooler soils. Early in the season, a new leaf typically appears about every three days. As temperatures warm, leaf appearance can accelerate to one new leaf every one to two days. Full season hybrids grown in the central Corn Belt commonly produce 21–22 leaves, while earlier maturing hybrids produce fewer. 

These numbers are important to keep in mind as you plan your spray program. Under favorable conditions, corn can move from planting to the V5–V7 stage within a month. Missing application windows can happen quickly if fields aren’t monitored closely. 

Soybean Staging Considerations 

Soybeans add another layer of complexity, as plants within the same field rarely develop at the same pace. A soybean field is considered to be at a specific V or R stage when 50% or more of the plants are at or beyond that stage. Because of this variability, understanding soybean staging is critical when determining application timing. The soybean growth stage chart is a valuable reference when evaluating field conditions. 

A general rule of thumb is to expect about five days between soybean growth stages, although weather can speed this up or slow it down. One of the most critical stages to be aware of is R1, defined as one open flower at any node on the main stem. Soybean flowers are highly sensitive, and herbicide applications should be avoided at this stage whenever possible. 

R1 can begin before full canopy closure, which can tempt growers to make a final post emergence application. However, the risk at this stage often outweighs the reward. A strong pre-plant and early post program can greatly reduce the need for late season spraying, and a handful of late weed escapes is rarely worth the potential consequences of applying herbicides after flowering begins. 

We need to pay attention to emergence to maximize our yield that will be going into our bins this fall. We like to see everything come up within 24 hours of each other. Many studies have been conducted showing that plants that emerge on Day 2 of emergence can have a 10% yield loss compared to the first plants that emerged. Plants that come up on Day 3, the yield decrease can be close to 40% and those that emerge on Day 4 can have a yield loss of over 80%. The reason behind some of these yield losses is because those bigger brother corn plants will have the opportunity to take more water and nutrients away from the smaller brothers because they were able to get established sooner and they do not leave much for the runts to thrive on.  

It is so crucial that we make sure we are doing everything in our power to allow these corn plants to emerge at the same time. Are we going through our planters well before we hit the fields to make sure the disc openers and scrapers are in optimal condition? Are we making sure we are doing tillage and planting into optimal field conditions and not pushing soil moisture and soil temperature? Are we adding some sort of starter to help those plants get out of the ground easier? Are we looking at the closing systems on our planters to make sure we are closing the seed trench well? These are just a few things to be mindful of when we are thinking about emergence. Let’s get off to a good start and fill our bins with as many bushels as possible this fall.

Make it a great spring and be safe! 

While many factors affecting crop success are beyond our control, it’s important to manage the ones we can. Planting depth often gets a lot of attention, but it isn’t the only—or even the most important—factor in plant development. Soil conditions at planting are just as critical, if not more so. 

For a successful growing season, consider the following: 
Planting into wet soils or working ground that’s too wet can lead to sidewall smearing, compaction from disk openers, and seed trenches that don’t close properly. These issues can result in uneven emergence and seedling. Ideally, the top three to four inches of soil should be dry enough for proper planting conditions. 

Cold weather after planting can also stress corn during emergence and early growth. Aim to plant as early as conditions allow, ensuring that the first few days in the soil support proper kernel imbibition. If the forecast shows temperatures that are continuing to decrease, it would be best to delay planting until our forecasted temperatures are getting warmer, 2-3 days out.  

Finally, avoid reducing planting depth, as shallower placement often leads to lower yields and complications throughout the growing season and at harvest. In recent years, more growers have shifted toward planting fuller-season hybrids for their maturity zones and planting earlier to extend the growing season and maximize yield potential. Just be sure to prioritize optimal conditions when doing so. 

Happy Spring and Happy Planting Season! Good luck to everyone and remember to be safe! 

At Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, we’re proud to work alongside women whose dedication and passion help move agriculture forward. 

In recognition of National Women in Agriculture Day, we asked several members of Team Latham one question: What does agriculture mean to you as a woman in this field? Here’s what they shared.

Amy Rohe, General Manager

“Being born and raised in the Midwest, agriculture has always been part of everyday life—from planting in the spring to watching crops grow throughout the summer to the excitement of harvest. Now, working in ag, it brings a new perspective and carries something so familiar forward for generations to come.

Agriculture is about more than crops and yields. It’s about grit, resilience and relationships. It’s being part of an industry that feeds the world while adapting to new challenges and technologies. It’s carrying forward traditions while pushing for innovation and progress.

Agriculture is deeply personal. It’s about supporting farmers, strengthening rural communities and taking pride in work that truly matters. Being a woman in this field adds another layer of purpose — showing that leadership, knowledge and passion come in many forms, and that there’s a place for the next generation of women to grow and thrive.”

Chelsea Bamrick, Corn Supply Lead, Southern Sales Account Manager

Chelsea has spent more than 20 years working in agriculture. Along the way, she has learned that perseverance and confidence are key.

“Being a woman in this field, sometimes I feel as if I am looked down upon or as if I have to prove myself twice just to be seen the same. But those moments have also shaped me. They’ve fueled my drive, sharpened my voice, and reminded me why I belong here,” she shared. “I’ve learned that my perspective matters; my work speaks for itself, and I have every reason to stand confidently in this industry. Agriculture has challenged me, strengthened me, and ultimately made me proud of the woman I am and why I love working in this field as much as I do. 

Carma DeVries, Office Manager

For Carma, agriculture is more than a job. It’s a lifestyle that connects her work and home life.

“Agriculture to me is a way of life. It isn’t just an 8–5 job. I have the privilege of working in agriculture during the day while helping support my family’s farm at home,” she said. “There are so many ways to be involved in agriculture, and producing food is incredibly important. We need women in all aspects of the ag world. Whether you’re leading a company or caring for livestock, every role matters.”

Rachael Bruns, Soybean Supply Lead, Northern Sales Account Manager

Rachael sees agriculture as an opportunity to serve farmers and strengthen rural communities.

“Agriculture to me is more than a career. It’s a commitment to supporting farmers, strengthening rural communities and feeding families. Every day I have the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than myself,” she said. “Being a woman in this field means showing that knowledge, leadership and resilience have no boundaries. It means setting an example for the next generation of girls who may one day see themselves in agriculture.”

Jodi Lundt, Accounts Payable Specialist

Jodi said being a woman in agriculture is about meaningful work, community, and the strength women bring to the industry.

“As a woman in agriculture, it means being part of something meaningful- working with the land, supporting my community, and proving that women bring strength, skill and knowledge to this industry,” she said.

Today and every day, we celebrate the women who help agriculture grow stronger. Happy National Women in Agriculture Day from all of us at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds!

On this episode of Beyond the Bushel, John Latham sits down with Amy and Bryan Rohe to discuss work-life balance, working alongside a spouse, and what that experience is like at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds.

On this episode of Beyond the Bushel, Shannon Latham reflects on her journey at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds and how those experiences shaped her path to becoming Executive Director of the Iowa FFA Foundation.

“It has been quite a journey,” Shannon said during a recent episode of Beyond the Bushel. “When I look back at the pictures from when John and I started Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids back 2004, you can tell it’s been a year or two. We look a little different than we do now.”

Her path began at Iowa State University, where she and John were both majoring in agriculture. After college, she worked in public relations and marketing before returning to Iowa to join the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. That role sparked something important.

“That really planted that seed for me to be in public service,” she said. “I always knew that I want to be a state representative if I could.”

Her early career also shaped her leadership philosophy. She recalled advice from her first boss: “People support what they help create.” That lesson stayed with her as she grew into leadership roles.

When John started the corn company in 2004, Shannon stepped naturally into marketing. 

“ Maybe it was God’s plan,” she said. “John had that background in sales. I had that background in marketing, communications and writing. Chris had the finance background, so it just all came together.” 

Over the years, she found joy in leading the team. 

“I absolutely love leading the marketing team here,” she said. “Nothing can replace hard work. Nothing replaces relationships.”

Her time at the FFA Enrichment Center has brought a renewed sense of excitement.

She also sees clear parallels between her work at Latham Seeds and her new role. 

Her focus now is helping prepare Iowa’s youth for the future. 

“We are really preparing the workforce,” she said. “Regardless of what they go into, they are going to be prepared because of their workforce development and their premier leadership skills that they develop in the FFA.”

To hear more of Shannon’s insights and stories from her career path, listen to the full Beyond the Bushel episode.

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Pork Roast with Raspberry Sauce

Course Main Course

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 9 hours hours

Servings 8

Equipment

• 1 Slow cooker

Ingredients

• 3 pound boneless pork roast
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sage
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 12 ounces frozen unsweetened raspberries (thawed)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoons butter

Instructions

Directions for Pork Roast:

• Grease a six-quart crockpot with cooking spray.
• Place roast in crockpot; pat top and sides of roast with salt, sage and pepper.
• Pour about 1 cup of water or chicken broth around the bottom of the roast.
• Cook on LOW for 9 hours or until the roast pulls apart easily with a fork.
• Set raspberries in the refrigerator to thaw.

Directions for Raspberry Sauce:

• In a large saucepan, combine: sugar, cornstarch, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Stir in the vinegar, reserved raspberry juice, and raspberries.
• Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
• Remove from heat; add lemon juice and butter.
• Stir until butter is melted.

Notes

Let pork stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Serve with the raspberry sauce.

Cook’s Tip: We always have leftover raspberry sauce, and it’s too good to toss! Transfer the cooled raspberry sauce into a freezer-safe container. Then heat and serve another day. This sauce is delicious with grilled pork chops or chicken breasts.

Levi grew up on a family farm near Lisbon, Iowa, where he was actively involved in day-to-day operations, including caring for livestock and working with row-crop production. 

“Those early mornings and long days helped shape my work ethic and gave me a deep appreciation for the commitment it takes to succeed in agriculture,” Levi says. 

That farm-first mindset continues today as Levi and his wife raise their family. The two have known each other since childhood and have been married for seven years. 

Together, they are raising two young children and enjoy sharing the values of hard work and togetherness that come from a rural upbringing. Their household also includes three dogs: a Blue Heeler and two miniature dachshunds.

“I love having my kids be a part of the farming lifestyle, even though we don’t live on the farm,” he says. 

Levi attended Iowa State University and has built a career that blends hands-on farming with professional sales experience. After spending a decade in automotive sales, he returned to farming while continuing to pursue his passion for working with people and helping them make confident decisions. 

That combination of production agriculture and sales gives Levi a strong ability to understand both the operational and financial sides of farming — allowing him to relate to growers while also helping them identify opportunities to improve their operations. 

Outside of work, Levi enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

“I love going fishing — especially for trout — and I also enjoy camping with my family,” he says. “There’s nothing better than sitting around a campfire together.”

What drew Levi to Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is the company’s commitment to integrity and family ownership.

“It is a family-owned company, and our word means something,” Levi says.

In his new role, Levi is focused on building strong relationships with farmers across eastern Iowa while helping them get more out of every acre. 

“I’m looking forward to working with farmers, learning how their operations are unique and helping improve their return on investment,” Levi says. 

Please join us in welcoming Levi Graver to the Latham Hi-Tech Seeds team. We’re excited to see how his experience, work ethic and passion for agriculture will support growers throughout eastern Iowa.

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Smoked Prime Rib

Course Main Course

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Equipment

• 1 smoker

Ingredients

• 1 6-8lb prime rib
• 6-8 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and sliced
• 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup beef baste
• 2 cups red wine
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks)

Instructions

• Pat the prime rib dry. Cut small slits all over the meat and insert garlic. Add rosemary, then season generously with salt and pepper. Mix melted butter, beef baste, and red wine.
• Preheat smoker to 525°F. Smoke the prime rib for 30 minutes, basting once or twice. Remove from smoker and loosely tent with foil while the smoker cools to 225°F, about 20–30 minutes.
• Return the roast to the smoker and cook at 225°F until internal temperature reaches 125°F, about 1½–2½ hours. Remove, rest 20–30 minutes, then slice and serve.

Daniel grew up on a small farm near Spicer, Minnesota, where his family raised certified organic seed soybeans, corn, oats, barley and alfalfa hay. They also managed a flock of sheep, raising and selling feeder lambs. Agriculture has long been a family affair.

His father, Donnel, is a farmer and township clerk in Irving Township, while his mother, Christa, is a high school agriculture teacher at KMS High School. Daniel said growing up in that environment shaped his passion for farming and leadership.

“I grew up on a small farm near Spicer, MN,” Daniel said. “We raised certified organic seed soybeans, corn, oats, barley, and alfalfa hay. We also have a herd of sheep that we raise and sell feeder lambs from.”

Daniel attended South Dakota State University, earning a degree in agronomy with a minor in precision agriculture. He also spent two and a half years working at a cooperative as a crop advisor, gaining experience working directly with growers and their operations.

“I attended South Dakota State University for Agronomy with a minor in Precision Agriculture,” he said. “I also spent two and a half years working at a coop as a crop advisor.”

Beyond crop production, Daniel’s background includes experience with livestock operations, working with beef cattle and hogs. While in college, he also worked part time for SGS, assisting with seed planting for germination testing.

Leadership and service played a major role in Daniel’s youth. He was actively involved in FFA and 4-H, serving as a regional officer and earning his American FFA Degree.

“I was very involved in FFA and 4-H growing up,” Daniel said. “I had served as a region officer and have obtained my American degree.”

Daniel said his interest in Latham Hi-Tech Seeds grew as he learned more about the company’s values and approach.

“I wasn’t to familiar with Latham but became interested the more I looked into them,” he said. “I was attracted to Latham because they are a family run company and talk with their farmers and sales staff to see what is missing from our seed portfolio and what can be improved.”

As regional sales manager, Daniel is focused on building strong relationships with dealers and supporting their success.

“I am looking forward to meeting and working with our dealers and helping them grow their business,” he said.

Outside of work, Daniel enjoys ice fishing, deer hunting and turkey hunting, staying connected to the outdoors and the land that shaped his agricultural journey.

Welcome to the Latham family, Daniel! We’re excited to see how your strong agricultural roots and agronomy education will support farmers and dealers across west central Minnesota.

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Spinach Sausage Ravioli Bake

Course Main Course

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Equipment

• baking dish
• skillet

Ingredients

• 10 oz cheese ravioli
• 4 cups spinnach
• 24 oz jar vodka sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzare
• 5 oz pesto
• 1 lb Italian sausage

Instructions

• Add seasonings to taste. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning.
• Brown the sausage in a skillet, seasoning as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
• Layer ravioli in a baking dish while the sausage is cooking.
• Add the cooked sausage over the ravioli, then top with spinach.
• Pour vodka sauce over the top, making sure everything is fully covered.
• Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the sauce, then dollop pesto on top.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 25–30 minutes. Broil on low for a few minutes if desired to crisp the mozzarella.

When soils thaw in early spring, we can see how our alfalfa crop fared. You can get a pretty good indication of your alfalfa crop’s health from the road. If your field is still brown and the neighbor’s field is green, check for injury or death.

The best way to diagnose winter injury is by digging four to six inches deep and then examining the plants’ roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white in color with little evidence of root rot. Winter-killed roots will have a gray, water-soaked appearance early.

If your alfalfa stand has suffered winter injury, assess the field’s yield potential by determining the number of stems per square foot:

Yield (tons/acre) = (Stems/ft2 x 0.1) + 0.38

This calculation should only be used as a guideline as many factors determine yield. Factors that influence winter injury and yield in alfalfa stands include:

• Stand age. Older stands are more likely to winterkill than younger ones.
• Variety. Varieties with superior winter-hardiness ratings and a high disease resistance index are less likely to experience winter injury.
• Soil pH. Stands growing on soil with a pH about 6.6 are less likely to experience winter injury.
• Soil Fertility. Stands with high fertility, particularly potassium, are less likely to experience winter injury than those with low fertility.
• Soil moisture. Alfalfa grown on well-drained soils is less prone to winter injury.
• Fall soil moisture status. As dehydration is the primary means of tolerating freezing temperatures, stands that go into winter with low soil moisture are better able to lose moisture and are less likely to winterkill.
• Cutting management. Both harvest frequency and timing of fall cutting affect alfalfa winter hardiness. The shorter the interval between cuttings, the greater the risk of winter injury. Stands where the last cutting was taken between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15 are at greater risk, as plants are unable to replenish root carbohydrate reserves before winter.
• Snow cover. Snow is an excellent insulator. Four inches of snow can result in a 10°F difference in soil temperatures. Stands that were not cut after Sept. 1 or that have at least six inches of stubble retain more snow cover and are less susceptible to winter injury.

While we cannot control what Mother Nature delivers during the winter months, we can take steps to control or reduce alfalfa winter injury. Now is the time to think about getting your alfalfa orders in so you are ready for the seasons ahead.

Contact your local Latham® dealer or call our office at 877-GO-LATHAM (877-465-2842); we’d love to assist you with any questions you may have.

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