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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Honoring American Traditions and Christmas Classics

Before televisions dominated family rooms, a holiday season tradition for many Americans including listening to Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as performed on the radio by Lionel Barrymore and narrated by Orson Welles. This weekend, in Franklin County, Iowa, we have the opportunity to step back in time and enjoy this classic radio production as performed by the Franklin County Players.

The final performance of “A Christmas Carol Radio Play” will be 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Windsor Theatre in Hampton, Iowa. Advanced tickets are available for $10 from Center I or online at hamptoniowa.org. Watch as 25 local actors dress in 1940s-style clothing and take the stage.

Cast members of "A Christmas Carol" radio play include, from left to right, in the back two rows: Deb Lukensmeyer, Raelene Borcherding, Grace Barter, Donna Speedy, Bekah C., Phil Strand, Jim Davies, Rick Janssen, Bella S., Ruth Katz, Melanie V., Brad Van Horn, Lisa Shatzer, Wendy Buseman, and Sandee Brouwer. Front row: Will S., Josiah S., Carter H., Jonah V., and Sara B. (Courtesy of "The Hampton Chronicle")

Even Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds will be a part of the show! Our company’s sponsorship of this production allows us to pay tribute to Willard Latham, who founded the business nearly 65 years ago, when he produced seed oats for retail. As the time changed and the business grew, the company evolved from a retail business to a dealer organization. Today our company offers only the highest quality soybean, corn hybrids and alfalfa seed.

We’re proud to continue the family tradition. The same values and principles on which Willard Latham founded the business remain our guiding principles yet today: honesty, integrity and unsurpassed customer service. As you’ll hear in our 1940-esque radio commercial,

Latham Seeds do more for you… Sowing, growing, harvest, too,
Latham yields for you!

We want to help you select the best seed for your dollar. Contact your local Latham® seed representative for some “mighty fine seed” to include your crop rotation.

Team Latham

December 8, 2011

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Diversify Your 2012 Crop Plan
Nick Benson, Latham Corn Product Specialist

The value in working with a financial planner comes from diversifying one’s portfolio and reducing financial risk while maximizing returns. For the same reasons, it’s advantageous for corn growers to work with a knowledgeable seed representative to create a diversified hybrid seed corn portfolio.

Planting a “portfolio” of corn hybrids has multiple benefits:
1. “Hedge” risk with different genetics – Even by picking products with various trait packages, a farmer can’t be 100% sure that he or she has a diversified line-up as genetic provider don’t always match up with trait providers.
2. Plant hybrids with varying relative maturity – Spread your risk by planting a minimum of three or four different hybrid numbers. Different flowering dates can help reduce yield loss due to heat during pollination. For example, in 2011, hybrids with under a 100-RM were hurt worse in my particular area, but this is dependent on geographies. Planting later hybrids worked well this year because drydown wasn’t a problem. Some years are the exact opposite where hybrids don’t want to dry down and the earlier products can really pay off.
3. Balancing offensive and defensive characteristics – Each year presents its own set of challenges: weed pressure, insect pressure, heat stress, emergence issues, disease pressure, overall yieldability in relationship to an “offensive” vs. a “defensive” year, drought tolerance and trait performance.
No financial planner worth his weight is going to advise clients to invest solely in mutual funds or high-risk stocks. That’s also why I’d never advise farmers to choose their seed portfolio based only on top-yielding varieties in F.I.R.S.T. Trials. While yield trials and plot data can help influence one’s seed purchasing decisions, they should NOT be the only – or even the primary – basis for choosing seed products. Choosing seed based on growing conditions in one location during one year is like picking your stocks based on only last year’s performance without considering factors that might cause market shifts. Additionally, a grower shouldn’t choose seed based solely on a product guide description. That’s comparable to choosing your financial portfolio after view the stock market in the Wall Street Journal.

A good seed representative will know how to best diversify your portfolio. One advantage of working with a seed representative from an independent company is that you can rest assured the products will truly be genetically diverse. Only an independent seed company can draw from multiple genetic pools to ensure diversity, and that means you can be assured your products were developed to work best in your geographic region rather than having to perform across the nation.

We believe the stakes are simply too high to not view seed selection as a portfolio. That’s why, at its most basic level, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ hallmark Seed-2-Soil® program helps corn growers determine which hybrids will help minimize risk while maximizing returns. Contact your local Latham representative or the Latham office to learn more about how you can balance your seed portfolio for 2012!
December 7, 2011

Agronomics, General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Hybrid Selection for Continuous Corn
The number of corn acres are expected to rise for 2012 planting. Since only a portion of the projected acreage was planted to soybeans in 2011, it stands to reason that more acres will be continuous corn in 2012.

Corn-on-corn can be a profitable venture if those acres are properly managed:
1. Residue management is the first step of a successful corn-on-corn situation.
2. Fertility should be evaluated and applications planned for continuous corn fields. It really pays to have a soil test to determine needs for N, P & K.
3. Work with your Latham representative to put a crop plan together and stick with it. Selecting hybrids with the right trait package is important, but that’s just one part of a crop plan. These plans should focus on hybrid selection, plant population, fungicide usage and other management issues.
Hybrid selection can make a 40- to 50-bushel difference in grain yield, according to university researchers. Important hybrid characteristics for continuous corn include quick emergence, stalk strength, as we potential disease problems in corn following corn.
Spread your risk and increase your potential for high yields by planting at least three different Latham® hybrids with differences in genetic traits, maturity or disease susceptibility. Balance yield with reasonable grain moisture. Hybrids must be well suited specifically to the area they will be grown. Hybrids planted in continuous corn situation must be able to perform across the field in tough conditions. Spray with a foliar fungicide to help preserve overall late-season intactness.

Although corn supplies are tight this fall throughout the industry, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds still has availability for these hybrids in corn-on-corn situations:
- LH 3818 VT3 Pro
- LH 4796 VT3
- LH 4848 3111
- LH 4999 VT3 Pro
- LH 5378 VT3 Pro
- LH 6394 3000GT/LH 6396 3111
December 6, 2011

Corn, Crop, General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Soybean Spotlight: L2084R2 Deserves an Encore!
Corn has been stealing the spotlight recently with headlines like “2012 Corn Acres to Rise”. With all of the focus being put on corn, we’d like to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on some outstanding soybean numbers. Today we’re featuring Latham L2084R2.

Latham L2084R2 topped 26 strip trials in 2011, beating elite genetics in its maturity across northern Iowa, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin and eastern South Dakota. It’s not often that we promote a specific product on our blog. With results like this, however, we honestly believe we’d be doing a disservice to soybean growers if we kept it under wraps!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgIq37l5cjg&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

Here are several reasons why L2084R2 is dominating:
- Contains the Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 gene, which is consistently out-performing the original Roundup Ready trait found in Pioneer® brand soybeans and in other brands
- Ranks highest for emergence, stress and no-till
- Is resistant to Soybean Cyst Nematode
- Has complete Brown Stem Rot resistance
- Is tolerant to Iron Chlorosis
- Contains the K gene for Phytophthora Root Rot resistance
- Has good White Mold tolerance
With all of these attributes, it’s no wonder that L2084R2 is Latham’s top-selling soybean product. Just keep in mind that you’re best served when you plant three or four different Latham® Hi‑Tech Soybean products to minimize risk and maximize returns. You can put together a crop plan with other great Latham® numbers like these:
- L1985R2
- L2182R2
- L2183R2
- L2440R2
While everyone else is wrapping gifts and putting presents under the tree, remember to give yourself a gift this season. Order your Latham L2084R2 today, while supplies are available!
John Latham, President

December 5, 2011

Crop, General, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Preparing for Christmas
Traditional German advent calendars, like this one, were a part of my childhood Christmases. Today the tradition continues as each season my mom buys a new calendar – the ones with a chocolate behind each number – for my children.

Those who know me best know how much I love a theme! So right after Thanksgiving, I greatly enjoy transforming our living room to reflect “Christmas Around the World.” Our tree is adorned with decorations that pay tribute to our heritage including a Danish paper heart ornament to honor Grandma Latham, a Belleek china ornament that my mother-in-law brought from Ireland and hand-blown glass ornaments from Germany to honor both sides of my family, as well as wooden ornaments from Russia.

In addition to these beautiful worldly ornaments, our tree includes precious decorations our children have made throughout the years. As I hang each one, I fondly remember their little faces as they eagerly waited for me to unwrap the ornaments they had made in school. My favorite decorations are those that include their school picture from that year. My kids and I have also had fun making many of the ornaments together. Later this month I’m looking forward to making pinecone ornaments with my Junior Girl Scout troop and decorating cookies for shut-ins.

For me, Christmas is a time of year to honor traditions and create new ones. One tradition that I’ve enjoyed since moving to Sheffield is our church’s annual Advent by Candlelight program. It’s a great way to kickoff the holiday season by preparing our hearts and minds for the season. This year I had the honor of hosting a table of girlfriends for dessert prior to the program. I had so much fun decorating the table, including making the cake. (Confession time: The reason my cake looked beautiful is because I made it during a three-hour cake decorating class. That class was one of the best birthday presents I’ve ever received!)

This homemade, white cake with raspberry filling was topped with a delicious Italian butter cream frosting. The frosting recipe, however, is the pastry chef’s trademark secret.

Thankfully, Latham’s graphic designer, Amy Hild saved the day by sharing one of her family’s favorite recipes for Christmas cake. Unlike me, Amy’s mom really gets all the credit for making this beautiful cake. Amy gets the credit for helping decorate the table and taking the beautiful photographs.

It’s become a tradition for the Hilds to enjoy this melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake topped with cherries each Christmas Eve. What foods does your family traditionally serve on Christmas Eve or Christmas day?

Related Posts
- “Sharing a little Christmas Magic”
- “Sharing Christmas Traditions”
Team Latham

December 2, 2011

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Last Chance to Comment On Child Labor
The deadline draws near to raise concerns over the U.S Department of Labor’s proposed changes to “youth labor” rules. Comments are due Dec. 1.

At face value, it looks like if you have a family farm, you’ll be exempt. However, if the family farm is incorporated, you’re not exempt if someone other than the child’s parents own stock. Our concern is that these rule changes will reach further than we might even know. The proposed regulations also don’t take into account the many faces of modern family farms. Not everyone fits the government’s traditional definition of family farms; today’s family farming operations might be grandparents and grandchildren or uncle and aunts, nieces and nephews.

We hope you – as well as your family members and friends – will contact the Department of Labor and let them know how detrimental these changes would be to your family. To submit comments, click here and reference RIN 1235-AA06.

Click here to hear more.

For additional background information on the proposed rule changes, see these blog posts:
1. Comment by Dec. 1 on how proposed changes to “child labor” regulations would impact your farm: http://bit.ly/ueDC92
2. Farm cores help build character & work ethic. If you agree, please contact the Department of Labor by Dec 1: http://bit.ly/uCEp0X
3. FFA & 4-H projects could be affected by proposed “child labor” rules: http://bit.ly/uCEp0X
4. Child labor? Oh, please! Every day is “bring your child to work day” on the farm.” http://bit.ly/rWd2My
5. Teen Farm Labor is Vital in Rural Areas: http://bit.ly/t5j65s
6. Proposed “child labor” rules include gray areas. Help common sense (aka “grey matter”) prevail. Take a look: http://bit.ly/tU2qMw
Team Latham

November 30, 2011

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Farmers Have New R-I-B Option

There’s big news across the seed industry! Genuity® VT Double PRO® RIB Complete™ recently received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This is great news for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds customers as they will have another true, single-bag refuge option (RIB) for managing above-ground pests. Genuity VT2 PRO RIB Complete, as well as Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete, will be broadly available to farmers in 2012.

Latham’s Genuity VT2 PRO RIB Complete is a blend of 95% Genuity VT Double Pro and 5% refuge (non-BT) seed, delivering the lowest refuge in the corn growing area for above ground pests. VT2 PRO is actually a triple-stack product as it contains two traits for above-ground protection of pests like European Corn Borer, Corn Earworm and Fall Armyworm, in addition to the Roundup Ready trait. I look at this product as a different kind of triple stack, one that is specifically made for rotated ground and not for corn-on-corn situations.
Contact your local Latham® dealer or call our office at 1-877-GO-LATHAM to order your Latham Genuity VT2 PRO today!

The following Latham hybrids are still available as Latham Genuity VT Double Pro RIB Complete: LH 3557 VT2 PRO, LH 4227 VT2 PRO, LH 5465 VT2 PRO and LH 5875 VT2 PRO. All four of these products are tremendous new genetics that offer fantastic top-end yields in rotated ground.

John Latham, President

November 28, 2011

General, Industry News, Seed Technology
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

A Thanksgiving poem: "Giving Thanks for America’s Farmers"

submitted by Aaron Putze, Iowa Food & Family Project, Iowa Soybean Association

Thanksgiving Day is approaching, an opportunity to be mindful of the many blessings we enjoy as Americans. Near the top of the list are dedicated farm families who take pride in providing wholesome and healthy food choices for everyone. Aaron Putze, Sr. Director of Information & Education for the Iowa Soybean Association, has authored a Thanksgiving poem, recognizing the ongoing commitment of farmers and the good things they bring to life.

Giving Thanks for America’s Farmers
By Aaron Putze

They don’t seek attention or verses that rhyme;
Nor features or spotlights, none of any kind.

For farmers it’s not a headline to rise each new day;
Often before sunrise as they get on their way.

They say it’s part of the job to get soaked by rain;
To plow through snow and work through pain.

To move augers and wagons and make quick repairs;
To volunteer their time at local churches, schools and fairs.

They don’t mind working alone, some prefer it that way;
But don’t be mistaken for they have plenty to say.

About markets and weather, soil types and fields;
The status of regulations and a neighbor’s yields.

About rainfall, the stock market and global ag trade;
Barge transportation and the way stuff is made.

They’re focused and driven to get their work done;
Unless a neighbor needs help and then off they’ll run.

They don’t admit perfection because things can go wrong;
Accidents will happen but they make the will strong.

To put in a good day’s work before there is rest;
Continually improving and doing one’s best,

Like innovative ways that protect the water, soil and air;
Being a good neighbor and raising livestock with care.

Of providing more food using less energy, water and land;
And offering choices to meet customer demand.

For these things and more we recognize this Thanksgiving;
America’s farmers and what they bring to living.

Like thousands of food items, many easy to prepare;
Fuel to power vehicles and clothing to wear.

Then there are life-saving medicines, tires and blue jeans;
The sheets on our beds and soaps to keep us clean.

In fact, about everything we need to live, work and play;
Is derived from the work that farmers will do today.

With that in mind, we pause, take stock and remember;
What farmers bring to life as we gather to give thanks this November.

Team Latham

November 23, 2011

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

#FoodThanks for Thanksgiving

Our nation’s Thanksgiving holiday presents a prime opportunity to help remind people to “thank a farmer” for the food on their table. Many Americans this month are using their personal Facebook pages and Twitter feeds to say what they’re thankful for this season.

“Farmers represent less than 2 percent of the population,” says Darin Grimm, president of the AgChat Foundation, a 100 percent volunteer organization that aims to empower farmers and ranchers to “agvocate” via social media platforms. “#FoodThanks helps us engage with the other 98% who are not directly involved in agriculture. It’s also an opportunity for us to thank the many people involved in getting food from our farms to tables across America.”

Members of the ag and food communities are encouraged to tweet, post and blog about #foodthanks, especially on November 23 as Thanksgiving becomes top of mind for much of the country.

You can become part of the #foodthanks campaign. Last year, more than 800 people participated in the campaign by blogging, adding the #foodthanks twibbon to their avatar photo and sharing more than 2,000 Twitter posts.

Team Latham

November 22, 2011

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

“Gray Area” vs. “Grey Matter”
Over the course of a week, our family has posted a series of blog articles related to the Department of Labor’s proposed changes the types of work youth can do on a farm. Our intent is to increase awareness of this issue and to create dialogue.

The Lathams are sharing their thoughts and concerns over how our particular operation could be impacted in hopes that other families will do the same. We don’t have law degrees nor are we interested in advising people on how to conduct their own business. We understand that each family farming operation has its own unique set of circumstances, and that’s why we’re encouraging farmers to take a closer look at RIN 1235-AA06 to see how their individual operations might be impacted.

While some rule proponents have pointed out there is an exemption for “parents,” this is a grey area. Even youth who work for their parents might not be exempt if their farm is part of a limited liability company (LLC) or trust that includes more than one owner who isn’t a parent. As written, the proposed rules extend the parental exemption to others acting on behalf of a parent but it does not specify “legal guardian.”

We believe the proposed laws include all sorts of gray areas and would like to see common sense (a.k.a. the use of “grey matter”) prevail. Take a closer look and see what questions you have about the proposed regulations; then be sure to ask for answers from the Department of Labor (DOL). When contacting the DOL, be specific about your questions. Also be specific about when commenting on how your operation would be impacted by the proposed rule changes.

Let’s keep this issue “top of mind” within the agricultural community, so that it doesn’t get brushed under the proverbial rug when the nation’s attention turns to hosting holiday gatherings at the week’s end. The U.S. Department of Labor needs to hear potential impacts their proposed regulations could have on real-life farm families.

Consider making “child labor” a topic of conversation at your family’s dinner table this Thanksgiving. After all, the comments are due by Dec. 1. Click here to submit your comments online. To submit written comments, reference RIN 1235-AA06 in your letter and mail it to:

The Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502
200 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210

Audio: Shannon Latham Talking about the Proposed Child Labor Law

Other related blog posts:
1. Comment by Dec. 1 on how proposed changes to “child labor” regulations would impact your farm: http://bit.ly/ueDC92
2. Farm cores help build character & work ethic. If you agree, please contact the Department of Labor by Dec 1: http://bit.ly/uCEp0X
3. FFA & 4-H projects could be affected by proposed “child labor” rules: http://bit.ly/uCEp0X (http://bit.ly/w4pBxk)
4. Child labor? Oh, please! Every day is “bring your child to work day” on the farm.” http://bit.ly/rWd2My
5. Teen Farm Labor is Vital in Rural Areas: http://bit.ly/t5j65s
Team Latham

November 21, 2011

Agriculture, General, Industry News