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Chocolate Zucchini Bread
One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. I enjoy adjusting our menus to incorporate whatever is in season, and right now, that means zucchini! Try out this delicious recipe for Chocolate Zucchini Bread. While it’s baking, your kids can try out the Corn Putty recipe below for a few minutes of fun!

Corn Putty

Play with it like clay, then watch it become liquid again!
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water + 1 tablespoon water
- Food coloring
Blend mixture with fork. It should flow when the bowl is tipped but feel solid when you touch it. If it’s too thick, add a little water. If it’s too runny, add a little cornstarch.

Recipe provided by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.
Team Latham

August 6, 2010

Desserts, General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

How to Check Fields for Soybean Cyst Nematode

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a small, plant-parasitic roundworm that attacks the roots of soybeans. SCN is widespread throughout Iowa and surrounding states, and can cause as much as 40% yield loss without symptoms appearing on the soybean plants.

Symptoms to Watch For

A recent Wallaces Farmer article highlighted what symptoms to watch for when checking for SCN in your field. Symptoms are usually not apparent when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is adequate to excessive in the growing season. Symptoms generally begin to appear in mid-July and last through the growing season, and include stunting of plants, yellowing of foliage (not just leaf margins or areas between leaf veins) and mid-day wilting.

Dig, Dig, Dig

The only way to check for SCN is to dig roots, gently remove soil from the roots, and look for the egg-filled, round, white SCN females on the roots (see image). Females are about the size of the head of a straight pin or a period at the end of a sentence in a magazine – for most people – females can be seen with the unaided eye. SCN females should be apparent on infected roots through August.

While this is an effective way to identify SCN, it’s also an effective way to see which soybean varieties are controlling nematode reproduction in fields known to be infested. If a soybean variety is effectively controlling the nematode, there should be only 10-20 SCN females present on the roots.

Click here for the full article.

Photo courtesy of Iowa State University Extension.

Team Latham

August 5, 2010

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

Back in the Saddle: Motorcycle Diaries 2010

Despite holding a “license to ride” for a year, I haven’t found myself on the seat of any motorcycle since I took a beginner’s safety course last summer. And with plans for our 2^nd annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride well underway, I was itching to get back in the saddle! Two facts were holding me back: (1) I don’t own a motorcycle; and (2) I’m not confident enough to ride past my driveway, even if I had a one.

With the goal of purchasing my own motorcycle and the objective of feeling comfortable enough to actually ride it in a future Independence Ride, I decided to take a refresher motorcycle riding course.

My friend Lu told me about the Rider’s Edge Safety Course being offered by Silver Eagle Harley-Davidson/Buell in Waterloo. She, too, was interested in taking the course as a way to build confidence in her driving abilities. She had also taken the beginner’s motorcycle safety course last summer in Hampton and earned her license. But unlike me, she purchased her own bike and actually has been brave enough to take Sunday drives with her husband. Lu’s enthusiasm for the class – coupled with the $100 savings coupon she dangled in front of me like a carrot before a horse – prompted me to register and make the 90-minute commute to class on Thursday, July 22.

Our class was taught by a husband-wife team. From the moment they introduced themselves to our class of 10, I knew I was going to like their style! They did a great job of getting everyone into various small groups for the first two nights of instruction, which made the classroom studies far more interesting and also created a sense of team. By the time we all met at the range on Saturday morning, a rapport existed between all the students, who ranged in age from 16 to nearly 60.

The range instruction began with getting familiar with our 450-cc Buells. One of the first thoughts I had as I mounted my bike was, “Bubba Blackwell rides a Buell.”

Bubba Blackwell, the American Daredevil, will be entertaining the crowd following the hog roast at this year’s Freedom of Independence Ride. And, I couldn’t be more excited for his performance!

I grew up watching Evel Knievel on prime-time television. My brother and I were captivated by each of his death-defying tricks. I have to admit that I was especially intrigued by his flashy motor clothing, while my brother was more likely trying to figure out how he could rig up hay bales and plywood to try his stunts with his dirt bike.

Flashy motor clothing and all, Bubba Blackwell has broken every known record set by Evel Knievel. In January 2000, he completed the longest Harley-Davidson motorcycle jump in history by sailing his 400-pound, XR-750, over 15 tour buses with room to spare. That same year Blackwell noticed the Harley-Davidson inspired Buell motorcycle was generating a lot of attention, so he expanded his show by adding a European style of riding called “Street Fighter” with an American flare.

Blackwell is the only motorcycle daredevil to have beaten all of Evel Knievel’s jumping records, using the same type motorcycle and the same sized ramps. In 2008, he broke the last known record held by Evel Knievel when he jumped over 52 cars at the Deep South Speedway. Click here for a complete listing of Blackwell’s record-setting stunts. For the opportunity to see him live in Boone, Iowa, on Aug. 30, register for the 2^nd annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride.

Team Latham

August 3, 2010

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Raspberry Chicken Rolls

Team Latham

July 30, 2010

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Preparations Underway for the “Latham Country” Fair
Spanning the width of three semis, you won’t miss seeing Monsanto’s Mobile Technology Unit on Friday, July 30, at the Latham Country Fair in Alexander, Iowa. And, you won’t want to miss it either!

The Mobile Technology Unit (MTU) is a unique traveling exhibit that showcases advances in plant breeding, biotechnology and the new Genuity® family of trait innovations for corn, soybeans, cotton and specialty crops. You’ll be guided through a 30-minute tour that includes a high-definition theater and interactive stations featuring Genuity® VT Triple PRO^TM, Genuity® SmartStax, Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® Soybeans, drought technology, weed management and many more topics of interest and importance to farmers.

Also, here’s a cool video on how the MTU was made.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI1bdd6-T9w[/youtube]

In addition to the MTU, there will be new equipment technology showcased by Phelp’s Implement. Sukup Manufacturing will be on site to demonstration their grain handling systems. There also will be seed technology showcased in Latham’s research plots.

Featured speakers include:
- 9:15 A.M. ISU Extension Corn Specialist, Roger Elmore – “Making 300-Bushel Corn”
- 10:15 A.M. University of Minnesota Extension Agronomist, Seth Naeve – “Making 80-Bushel Soybeans”
- 11:15 A.M. ISU Extension Specialist Daren Mueller – “How to Stop the Nematodes: Corn and Soybeans”
- 1:15 P.M. Keynote Speaker Mark Pearson, host of WHO’s “The Big Show” and Public Television’s “Market to Market”
- 2:00 P.M. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Lang 2012 will lead a Farm Bill Discussion
For more information on the day’s events, visit www.lathamseeds.com.
Team Latham

July 29, 2010

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Crop Conditions Across Latham Country

With this week’s hot, humid weather, one can also watch the corn grow! The recent warmer weather here has greatly improved overall crop conditions. We’re looking forward to taking Latham® dealers, customers and growers on a tour this Friday of all the exciting products we have in our 2011 lineup. Field tours will be offered about every half hour on July 30 as part of the Latham Country Fair in Alexander, Iowa. Click here for a schedule of events at the Latham Country Fair.

Most of the early-planted corn (April 15 – April 30) is in the milk stage and silks are mostly brown. Some of the later-planted corn is still at the blister stage. Corn that was replanted after the June hailstorm is in the silking stage. Corn fields that were hailed on and not replanted are showing some signs of stalk breakage due to ear development and the fact that bruised stalks aren’t able to support the additional weight. A fairly large number of fields in the area have been recently sprayed with a foliar fungicide.

Soybean fields planted in late April to early May are filling pods. Plants are generally shorter than normal due delayed planting and to the cooler/wet weather we experienced for most of May and June in North Central Iowa. Soybean fields planted in late May and early June are mostly at the pod-set stage where pods are still forming on most of the plant. Replanted fields (due to drown-outs and hail) are anywhere from beginning bloom to full bloom.

Northeast Iowa
Latham® Hi‑Tech Hybrids LH 5426 VT3 Pro looks awesome; Nick Benson says it has very good disease tolerance. Latham® Hi‑Tech Soybeans L 2440 R2 looks beautiful and is the prettiest bean in the countryside. No aphids due to all the rain they received; 12 inches of rainfall was received in two days.

Wisconsin
Steve Bailie reports Green Clover Worms are chewing on bean leaves. Soybeans are in the R3-R4 stage and look great; he is starting to see aphids. The corn is pollinating and the last of the fungicide was apply. He is seeing firing due to lack of nitrogen. They also received 11 inches of rain in the last 3 days.

Central Iowa
It was an extremely warm and wet week in Kevin Meyer’s area. With all the rain, corn looks surprisingly good and is developing rapidly. Fungicide applications are finishing up with corn-on-corn acres being the focus. Soybeans are in the late R1 to R2 stage. A vigilant eye is being kept on the aphids. Overall, all soybeans continue to look pretty good considering some of the stress they have went through. As pods set, take a good look at pod counts and beans per pods.

Minnesota
Jason Obermeyer says the sky is filled with helicopters, planes and probably even a hang glider as farmers resorted to aerial applications. Fungicide applications are continuing on corn this week and will most likely continue into next week. With more rain in the forecast, moisture needs are being met in large part.

Northern Missouri
Rick Foster reports soybeans are coming on stronger and stronger every day, but corn is looking pale due to nitrogen leaching out.

Central Nebraska
The crops are looking good and farmers are spraying Headline® to provide better plant health in Steve Edwards’ territory. Corn is completing pollination, and about 85% of soybeans have canopied. He is seeing some nitrogen problems, but no bugs yet.

North Central Iowa
Tom Larson says there is very little aphid activity throughout his territory. Continue to scout those fields and ready to spray if numbers reach threshold. Tom has received many calls regarding plant health applications on corn hybrids. Unfortunately, there is not a “one-size-fits-all” answer. Some of the “racehorse” hybrids could benefit from such an application, but he says said you really need to know your hybrid characteristics to get a clearer picture of additional benefits of a plant health application.

East Central Iowa
Many farmers are choosing whether or not they’re going apply fungicides or not because most of the corn in Brad Beatty’s territory is in the perfect growth stage to apply fungicides. With the high humidity, continued wet weather pattern and sticky nights, Brad has seen a lot of Eyespot, Common Rust and Gray Leaf Spot. This could be the year that fungicides payoff big. Insects are starting in soybeans; Brad has seen the highest number of clover worms in more than 20 years. Although clover worms are usually are not a problem, they can do great damage when compiled with Japanese beetles, Asian beetles and low aphid numbers. He has seen damage as large as 20% defoliation. Farmers may want to put fungicides and/or herbicide in the mix while they applying insecticide to get the highest possible yields.

South Central Iowa
The past week has seen better growing conditions, with the exception of the southeast corner, across Travis Slusher’s territory. The Indianola area saw tornado activity over the weekend with some isolated damage. Fortunately, Travis hasn’t seen any major insect or plant disease issues other than some random soybean aphids along the perimeters of fields and the usual leaf disease in the corn. He has seen come lodging in the corn because of shallow root systems due to the wet weather and some high winds form an earlier storm. There are a number of products in the area that have been applying fungicide to the corn and are getting ready to do the same on soybean acres in the next week or so.

Central Iowa
The soybeans in Bart Peterson’s Central Iowa territory are from the R3 to R5 stage and the corn is at the R2 stage. He reports the farmers are scouting for aphids, and a little Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) has been found in North Central Iowa. Fungicides are being sprayed on the corn and bean fields to help protect the plant health.

Eastern Nebraska
Crops in Eastern Nebraska have improved once again this week, but crops still vary in the growth and reproductive stages. Mike Lorenz has seen few to none aphids out in the fields. However, there have been very little sightings of bean leaf beetles. They are still receiving weekly showers but nothing compared to weeks past.

South Dakota
Mother Nature has kept South Dakota soggy to say the least, with rain showers twice this week. In Bill Eichacker’s western region, a record-breaking 18.5-inch hail stone fell! Soybean condition is behind last year with 66% in the R2 stage compared to 74% in 2009. Twenty-two percent of the soybeans are in the R4 stage. Corn is 47% in the R1 stage with some fields in the R2 stage. Bill says it won’t be long with the corn starting to dough. The growing degree weather has pushed the corn dramatically.

Team Latham

July 28, 2010

General, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Keep an eye out for Aphids, SDS and White Mold

Aphids

A recent e-newsletter from the Iowa Soybean Association reminds growers it’s time to begin monitoring fields for soybean aphids and diseases. As you saw in our recent crop report, there have been reports of aphids in Northeast Iowa, but those numbers remain low (about 5% as of July 21). Although aphid numbers may grow in the next two weeks, the impact of the state’s excessive moisture on these numbers remains to be seen.

SDS

Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) may begin showing up in fields early to mid-August, which is two weeks earlier than normal as a result of the wet soil conditions experienced after planting.

Early symptoms of SDS appear on apparently healthy plants in patches within a field. Scout fields with high-yield potential closely; symptoms will first appear in areas with high moisture. The first symptoms of SDS are interveinal chlorotic (yellow) blotches that progress to large irregular patches. The vein tissue remains green.

White Mold

While it’s a little early for white mold symptoms, according to the article, there’s little doubt white mold will prove a highly problematic for fields again this year. Symptoms will begin showing up after pod set.

Feel free to comment in the field below if you have any questions about the above soybean diseases, and we’ll be in touch with a response shortly.

Team Latham

July 27, 2010

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

Iowa Fields at Risk for Corn Earworm

It’s that time of year again — when corn earworm moths are taking flight throughout the state. Here’s a little information on what to look for as you scout your fields for ear feeding pests like corn earworm.

What to look for

Corn earworms come in a variety of colors: light green, tan, brown, pink or nearly black. The caterpillar’s body is marked with light and dark stripes running lengthwise and the skin texture is coarse due to microscopic spines that cover the surface. Earworms are only in the ear for three to four weeks, but during that short time, they grow to nearly 1.5 inches in length.

Corn earworm can’t live through Iowa’s extreme winters, rather, the moths that lived and grew in southern states on either corn or cotton the year before are blown here during May and June each year to re-infest our state.

Because of the tightness of the husk around the ear, feeding is limited to the ear tip, resulting in small larvae or larvae that leave the ear before completing development. The presence of large numbers of eggs on fresh corn silks indicates the potential for damaging populations; eggs hatch in 5 to 7 days following egg laying.

Managing Corn Earworm

The first step to managing corn earworm is choosing a hybrid with built-in control against the pest to limit damage to both the leaf and ear. Early-planted crops are also most likely to escape peak populations of the egg-laying moths. Once larvae enter the corn ears, control with insecticides is difficult but can be effective with exact timing. One should direct insecticidal control towards young larvae that are feeding on the exposed eartips. Since larvae move down the silk channels as soon as they hatch, insecticides become ineffective once they move down from the eartip under the husk.

Team Latham

July 26, 2010

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Insects
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

U.S. Corn and Soybean Development Ahead of Schedule

According to a recent e-newsletter article distributed by the Iowa Corn Grower’s Association, U.S. corn and soybean crops continue to develop faster than average this year, thanks to generally beneficial growing weather. As of Sunday, July 18, 65% of the U.S. corn crop is silking, compared to 30% a year ago and the five year average of 47%, with all major growing states at or ahead of their respective averages. 8% of corn has reached the dough making stage, compared to 4% last year and 7% on average and 72% of the crop is in good to excellent condition, down 1% from last week. For soybeans, 60% are blooming, compared to 41% a year ago and 56% on average, with 18% at the pod setting stage, compared to 8% last year and the five year average of 15%. 67% of soybeans are in good to excellent shape, up 2% on the week.

Source: Brownfield Network, July 19, 2010 and the Iowa Corn Grower’s Association.

Team Latham

July 24, 2010

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cathy’s Orange Muffins: Try them at the Latham Country Fair!

By far, one of my favorite things about any fair is all of the delectable food that tempts one’s taste buds. One of the many delicious treats that you can try at the Latham Country Fair in Alexander, Iowa, July 30, are Cathy’s Orange Muffins. (See recipe below.)

Cathy’s baking is special to our family because she not only bakes incredible treats like these orange muffins, but she has also made cakes for our children’s birthday parties. She’s helped make many memories at our family events.

Try a taste of the Latham Country Fair at home this week with Cathy’s Orange Muffin recipe. Then plan a trip to Alexander next Friday to taste even more treats!

For details on the Latham Country Fair and to find out how your family can join in the fun, click here!

Team Latham

July 23, 2010

Desserts, General, Recipes

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Corn Putty

Recipe provided by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

How to Check Fields for Soybean Cyst Nematode

Photo courtesy of Iowa State University Extension.

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Back in the Saddle: Motorcycle Diaries 2010

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Raspberry Chicken Rolls

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Preparations Underway for the “Latham Country” Fair

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Crop Conditions Across Latham Country

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Keep an eye out for Aphids, SDS and White Mold

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Iowa Fields at Risk for Corn Earworm

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

U.S. Corn and Soybean Development Ahead of Schedule

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cathy’s Orange Muffins: Try them at the Latham Country Fair!