Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

“Hope through Hoops” is Name of the Game
Whether you cheer for the Black and Gold or the Cardinal and Gold, we’re all on the same team in the fight against cancer.

Jerry Broders, RSM, and the Allen Oltman Family presented a check to Coaches vs Cancer during the Iowa game on Saturday, February 4th.

For the 11^th consecutive season, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is donating funds to the American Cancer Society through Coaches vs. Cancer. Our company’s donation will total $75k by the season’s end.

Coincidentally, Latham Seeds celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2022 by launching a Seeds of Hope campaign to raise an additional $75,000 for the American Cancer Society. Latham Seeds will donate $1 to the American Cancer Society for every unit of LH 3937 VT2 PRO, LH 5245 VT2 PRO and LH 6477 VT2 PRO sold.

“We have been committed to supporting the American Cancer Society through the Charity Stripe Promotion since the 2012-2013 season because we know first-hand what a gift hope can be,” says John Latham, president, Latham Seeds. “On February 20, 2010, my father underwent a stem cell transplant to battle AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia). He and my mom moved into the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester after he was released from the hospital. That transplant extended Dad’s life for more than five years, and we are grateful for all the support he received during his cancer battle.”

More than 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States. Whether it’s ourselves, our parents, a neighbor or a coworker, each of us has a cancer story. No one fights alone.

Click here to join Latham Seeds in the fight against cancer: https://www.lathamseeds.com/hope/

Related Articles:
- 2013: Coaches vs. Cancer nets $15,000
- 2014: Coaches vs. Cancer nets $17,000
- 2015: Put the Full Court Press on Cancer
- 2016: Will to Win is a Common Denominator
- 2019: Latham Seeds Provides Cancer Support One Free Throw at a Time
- 2020: Providing Hope is Our “Why”
- 2021: Coming Back from Childhood Cancer
- 2021: Schminke Family Goes the Distance
- 2022: Free Throws Total $65k Donation from Latham Seeds
Shannon Latham

February 9, 2023

Food & Family, General, Latham News, Recipes, Seeds of Hope, Soups
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Success with Biologicals Starts with Optimizing Your Soil Fertility

Precision Agronomy Advisor, Phil Long

One reason Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds opened its Premier Agronomy Center on the Latham family’s Iowa Century farm was to collect data using real-world practices and to research solutions for real-world problems. More farmers are interested in biologicals to reduce fertilizer and other input costs and/or to build soil health.

A biological product, or biofertilizer, contains living microorganisms that promote fertilizer efficiency or plant growth. Most of these products are naturally occurring in the environment but likely do not occur in high amounts in your field.

At Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center in 2022, we used Pivot Bio PROVEN® and Azotic Envita® on corn. Both nitrogen-producing bacteria products were trialed on a large scale and applied in-furrow with LH 5245 VT2 PRO RIB. PROVEN yielded 213.1 bushels per acre (bu/A), and Envita yielded 208.1 bu/A while the untreated LH 5245 yielded 206.2 bu/A. (Also please note that I applied about 40 lbs per acre less nitrogen on all the biological products, so I saved about $20 to $30 per acre when accounting for the product cost.) We have seen similar past results with PROVEN on our farm despite the dry conditions we have had. Envita also may be sprayed over the crop in-season — a process that our team will try in 2023.

Another biological/foliar product that I’ve used on my own farm for soybeans is BW Advance from BW Fusion. This product has foliar nutrients plus biologicals. When applied around soybean reproduction time, it can help reduce flower and pod abortion plus reduce moisture loss during drought stress. It takes about a 1.5 bu/A yield increase to pay for the product at current soybean prices. In 2022, I saw an average of 2.3 bu/A advantage. Keep in mind, 2022 was very dry and this particular field has some underlying fertility issues.

If you are going to try biologicals, you must take care of pH and other soil fertility deficiencies. The microbes in your soil, especially bacteria and fungi, thrive based on proper pH and physical soil environment. For example, if you have a pH of 5.0 or heavily compacted soils, you’re not going to see a boost in soil life until you correct those issues.

This year I used two foliar/soil-applied products, Midwest Bio-Tech’s Chandler Soil and TerraMax’s Ag Soft. The goal of these products is for compaction alleviation and residue management. I’m using these products on our cover crop and no-till plots. During the next few years, I will share results and show any soil structure changes. We also use seed-applied products, including Talc U.S.A.’s Microsurge inoculant and Encompass, as well as TerraMax’s Vertex and Micro MX.

How will we know which products may benefit our farm the most? Our plan is to try them! I will share soil health tests and how they can aid us in continuing to decipher the complex world of biologicals.

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

Team Latham

February 2, 2023

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Fertility, From the Field, General, Growth Stages, Precision Ag, Soil
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Match Hybrids to Your Management Style

Precision Agronomy Advisor, Phil Long

Agronomists often tout the merits of selecting hybrids to fit your soil types, but it’s also important to select hybrids that match your management style.

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ Premier Agronomy Center provides opportunities for us to learn and share how Latham® products interact with the environment and perform under different management styles. In 2022, we adapted our stress wheel study to show how different Latham brand hybrids react to population differences. We planted 20 different Latham hybrids at both 24,000 and 36,000 plants per acre (ppa) to track how each hybrid adjusts its ear flex – or yield – to high- and low-competition environments.

Overall corn yield comes from three areas: (1) plants per acre; (2) ears per plant; and (3) weight per ear. If we look specifically at an individual corn plant, yield comes from these three areas: girth in the early season, length in mid-season and kernel depth in late season. The hybrid stress test helps us better understand how your favorite Latham hybrids adjust their yield in high- or low-stress environments, which in turn helps you better understand when to reduce stress for these hybrids.

For example, if a hybrid gets most of its yield from flex in girth, you should reduce early-season stress. Plant these hybrids in warm soils; provide fertility at the planter, and make sure nitrogen is in an available form early in the season. All hybrids determine girth based on how healthy or stressed the plants are from emergence to V7, so anything you can do to help them at that stage retains more yield.

The critical time for hybrids that flex in length is from V8 to R2. Making sure these hybrids are healthy in early summer is more important. Side-dress applications are beneficial to these hybrids.

The last group is those that flex in kernel depth, which occurs from R3 to R6 when the corn is filling its kernels, so nutrients move from leaves to the ear. These hybrids can benefit greatly from fungicide because it gives them extra time in the grain fill stage to add weight to the ear.

Although we always talk about hybrids flexing up for bigger yields, a corn plant thinks of it differently. It starts with very high expectations and then flexes down in each direction based on the stress it encounters during the season. Each hybrid’s genetics can vary by how much emphasis it puts on these three areas of yield.

We were intrigued by what we learned from our stress test in 2022 and look forward to learning more in 2023 about how our hybrids adjust their yield. Talk with your local Latham® rep to help you match our hybrids to your management style. Each local salesperson is supported by a team of seed specialists located across our six-state territory.

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

Team Latham

January 26, 2023

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Disease, Emergence, General, Growth Stages

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Not All Alfalfa is Created Equal — It Pays to Plant Quality

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is a great source of top alfalfa genetics, and now’s the time to get in on these products!

More farmers will diversify in seed alfalfa in 2023 to capture high markets. You’ll also get the benefit of up to 100+ nitrogen credit plus 20% more yield on the crop that follows rotated alfalfa.

Review the features and benefits of the alfalfa products offered by Latham Seeds, so you can truly understand that not all alfalfa seed is the same.

We are very intentional about finding the best genetics and seed treatments for your acres. Many competitors sell lower-yielding genetics with very basic seed treatments, which are cleverly wrapped with an alluring price. That “alluring” price can distract farmers from looking at the value of the features and benefits of each component.

When you run a race, fly an airplane, or drive in the Indy 500, you can’t win with lower horsepower or by running half throttle. Yes, you might get to the finish line — but how will you celebrate? Your best chance of achieving top yields is running the yield race with the most horsepower, full throttle with proven seed genetics and seeding treatments.

Features	Benefits
Newest generation plant genetics	· Capture as much yield as possible each cutting · Have best chance at strong stand for life of rotation · Capture the soil’s full yield potential
Best disease package	· Healthier plants · Higher yield · Longer stand life
Quick recovery after cutting	· More yield
Industry-leading seed treatment	· Emerge fast · Grow stronger · Yield more
Optimize® Gold alfalfa inoculant	· Growth promoter · Enhances quick nodulation and nitrogen fixation · Boosts yields; improves quality
Nitragin® Gold Alfalfa	· Nitrogen-fixing inoculant · Helps stimulate early nodulation and nitrogen fixation · Boosts yield
Stamina® fungicide	· Newer class of fungicide · Helps reduce broader spectrum of pathogens, especially at emergence time · Protects against Aphanomyces races
APRON® fungicide	· Helps reduce pathogen risks like root diseases
Micronutrients	· Specific micronutrients that facilitate and promote emergence, health and vitality
Polymer	· Helps flowability for uniform distribution
Coating	· Encapsulate the blend of treatments · Helps seed absorb moisture for quicker germination

Varieties
LH 9120 Branch Root	· Great in all soils · Works well in wetter soils Finer stemmed; great for dry baling
LH 9700 Disease	· Strong disease package · Works in all soils · Great for chopping, baleage, and dry bale
LH 8101	· Basic alfalfa, short rotation,
AA Harvxtra 481 Ultra Cut	· Very special genetics · 10%+ more yield vs non-ultra cut · Best disease package, especially involving Aphanomyces and anthracnose threats · Best forage quality potential · Unique HarvXtra Genetics with Ultra Cut features

Did you enjoy this article? We want to (TECH)talk with you! Sign up for our newsletter to receive agronomy articles in your inbox or call 1.877.GO.LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).

Webspec Admin

January 12, 2023

Agronomics, Alfalfa, Crop, General

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Fit ‘er Done: Latham Seeds is up for the challenge!
During a cold Midwest winter, it’s easy to curl up with a blanket and binge on Netflix while consuming empty calories. That’s why two of my New Year’s Resolutions are to eat healthier and move more. My daily S.M.A.R.T. goals are to eat 5 fruits/veggies, drink 64 ounces of water, and log 10,000 steps.

Those daily goals sound simple enough, but I find it easy to get off track. How about you? An organized exercise effort like Live Healthy Iowa’s 10 Week Wellness Challenge is just what I need to form new habits. (#DYK it takes, on average, two months to form a new habit?)

Live Healthy Iowa has helped more than 308,000 participants shed over one million pounds and log nearly 600 million minutes of physical activity since 2002 through the 10 Week Wellness Challenge! This challenge has become part of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ corporate wellness program, and we’re inviting you to join us!

If organized exercise isn’t for you, our blog contains several healthy recipes and motivational blogs. We’ve posted a few here to get you started:
Shannon Latham

January 6, 2023

General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

“CAN” Nitrogen-Fixation Products Improve Silage Quality?
As quickly as we close the book on the 2022 season, we start the next chapter of 2023.

This is referred to as “Constant and Never-ending Improvement” (CANI) by Tony Robbins — author, coach and motivational speaker. His CANI technique is about making consistent, small changes in your life that are often more effective than trying to change everything at once. I believe most farmers embody this spirit of growth and optimism.

As we sharpen the pencil on our 2023 story, it’s beneficial to review observations from the 2022 growing season. One of the most expensive components in livestock feed is supplemental protein. Because I hope to find ways beyond plant genetics to help improve plant protein, I’m taking a closer look at nitrogen-fixation products.

Forage quality is complex and has a lot to do with a combination of plant genetics x soil fertility x environment. In addition to the seed treatment trials conducted at Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center in Alexander, I did a small experiment with Envita in a small corn silage trial in Ellsworth, Wisc. I’m just learning about these nitrogen-fixation products on corn. I’m sharing my observations because I found them interesting.

I sprayed Envita in a foliar form on healthy plants around tassel time. After spraying, moisture was limited until corn silage harvest time. The following photos help show the harvest results.

Corn Silage Yield Observations

LH 5389 + Envita = 7.7 more harvest tons, and 3 more dry matter (DM) tons versus the check with no difference in quality.

There is clearly a visual difference in ear size, so I’m curious to learn more about these types of nitrogen-fixation products. NOTE: This research was done only one year in one location. It will be interesting to see what type of yield response we see in subsequent years and at different locations. My hypothesis is Envita helped the silage plant better handle stress from dry conditions, but I need to test it further. There is so much to be learned!

What types of experiments do you plan to conduct on your farm in 2023?

Check out past articles for tips on conducting small scale, on-farm experiments:
Did you enjoy this article? We want to (TECH)talk with you! Sign up for our newsletter to receive agronomy articles in your inbox! We’ll talk soon.
Webspec Admin

December 21, 2022

Corn Silage, Crop, General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Grateful to Have Hope

All of us at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds are so grateful for the support that’s been given to our Sowing Seeds of Hope campaign. Earlier this year we set a goal to raise $75,000 for the American Cancer Society in commemoration of our company’s 75^th anniversary. Besides donating $1 for every unit of LH 3937 VT2 PRO, LH 5245 VT2 PRO and LH 6477 VT2 PRO sold, we’re supporting local events, matching employee contributions and raising awareness through stories on social media. Watch this video to learn more about our Seeds of Hope campaign and why it’s so near and dear to us!

Ready to make an impact? Donate here.

bonnie-harris

December 15, 2022

General, Seeds of Hope
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Latham Seeds Welcomes Jenny Moore

Jenny celebrating at our Feliz Navidad party!

Taking care of business (and people) has always been Jenny Moore’s passion. As Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ newest team member, she’s doing both for us!

Born and raised in Belmond, Iowa, Jenny was an all-around athlete. She played basketball, softball, volleyball and track throughout high school. She also was a clarinet-playing band kid, and says she was happy to “twirl the flag” in marching band.

“I was good at that,” Jenny says with a laugh.

She’s also good at helping people in their darkest times of need.

Before joining Latham Seeds, Jenny worked for more than 20 years at Mercy One in Mason City. As a patient care technician in the emergency room, Jenny served countless families through their worst traumas. Jenny managed paperwork, documented patient needs and, especially, held the hands of people who needed it most. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she became the primary prevention police officer in her unit. Jenny trained colleagues on a whole new hospital protocol, from how to properly wash hands to safely move in and out of patients’ rooms.

“I definitely wasn’t the most popular person at work during that time,” Jenny says. “But I knew I was doing the right work.”

One of Jenny’s cousins told her about Latham’s executive administrative assistant opening, a job she thought sounded perfect at the time. Jenny has fond memories of traveling to meet with seed dealers with her ex-husband, a former ag sales rep.

“The trust and bond we all had was very inspiring,” Jenny says. “I am extremely happy to be a part of the Latham Seeds family now.”

Jenny is most grateful for the patience and grace that her fellow Latham colleagues have shown her in the last two months since she joined the team. “Nobody makes me feel like I’m asking too many questions,” Jenny says. “Everyone is so kind to me. I’m very happy where I am.”

Jenny’s parents, Curtis and Byrul, live on a farm near Rowan, Iowa, where they raise corn and beans. Jenny is the middle child of their three daughters. Kim, the oldest, lives Texas. Jamie, the youngest, lives in Dows, Iowa. The sisters have an older brother who passed away in 1999.

In her free time, Jenny loves doing anything outdoors — especially camping at the Iowa State Fair where her family has a coveted camp site. She also travels with her dad every year as he races his fastest vintage car.

“Nothing’s better than that,” Jenny says.

One thing that might come close is this recipe from Jenny’s beloved grandmother. Take note of Grandma June’s Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese recipe below.

bonnie-harris

December 9, 2022

Food & Family, General, Latham News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Three Keys to High-Yielding Soybeans
Our focus for Latham Premier Agronomy Center in Alexander, Iowa, is to showcase a broad lineup of independent options and to demonstrate how genetics interact with the environment and management styles (G X E X M).

In the Premier Agronomy Center this year, we tested 26 Latham® soybean varieties using 28 different management practices. My top take-home messages for our 2022 soybean plots are:
1. August rains make soybeans. We received 11.8 inches of rain this season but 4.1 inches of it fell in August. Although we received below-normal moisture, the rain came at the right time. Our plots averaged 75 bushels per acre (bu/A) on about 12 total inches of rain!
2. Don’t stress soybeans at early bloom. Weed control in soybeans is extremely important. I made a second pass of Liberty® in season, however, it reduced yields by 10 percent. Our showcase plots did not get the extra dose of herbicide and averaged 86 bu/A; the plots that received a second pass yielded an average of 78 bu/A.
3. “Early” planting date is key to high yield. While earlier is better, “early” does not mean April 10 because we don’t want to risk stand loss to freezing temps. This year our first soybean plots were planted later than expected due to conditions. The plots planted May 13 averaged 5.5 bu/A better than the plots planted May 20. Seven days can make a difference in the number of nodes and pods retained, plus the canopy closes sooner.
The key to higher yields is how all three components – genetics by environment by management – interact. Fertility tops my list, so I always make sure potassium is sufficient. Potassium is what gets soybeans (and corn) through stressful times and helps them better manage water loss on hot days.

Latham® soybeans have outstanding yield potential. But like all living and breathing organisms, our soybeans struggle to perform when they’re stressed at the wrong time. The key to top soybean yields is management: reduce as much stress as possible during the growing season because we can’t control the weather.

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

December 8, 2022

Agronomics, Crop, Disease, Emergence, Fertility, Fungicide, General, Growth Stages, Insects, Seed Treatment, Soil, Soybeans, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Feliz Navidad!

At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we have been kicking off the holidays with an all-company potluck since 2009. This year, we thought our gathering was worthy of a Christmas poem. Enjoy our little story and our pictures! Here’s to carrying on your own cherished family traditions this season.

This week at Latham Seeds, we all gave a cheer

For the food and the sweaters — yes, our potluck was here!

Crockpots and cookies all waited in line

And the tacos arrived, just precisely on time.

Who brought that cheese dip? Who made those bars?

Mexican sushi? Oh, we’re eating like stars.

“Feliz Navidad” was our theme for this year,

There were jalapeños galore, for those with no fear.

We had cheesy corn and tortillas, beans and rice

And all the Christmas staples – so much sugar, so much spice!

Our ugly sweater contest brought Quentin some fame.

But who knew Spanish Bingo is the best reindeer game?

Quentin was our big winner!

Personalized ornaments were hung on the tree

As a thank you to Team Latham for everyone to see.

With hearts and bellies full, no one left without

Because a tradition like this is what family’s all about.

Enjoy a recipe that was brought to the potluck below!

bonnie-harris

December 1, 2022

Appetizers, Beef, Breads/Breakfast, Dairy, Desserts, Food & Family, General, Latham News, Pork, Poultry, Recipes, Salads, Seafood, Sides, Soups