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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Reduction in refuge compliance threatens technology
Iowa Farmer Today recently posted the article “Loss or reduction of Bt could harm farmers,” written by Roger Elmore, with the Iowa State University Department of Agronomy, and Aaron Gassman and Erin Hodson, Department of Entomology. Below is an excerpt from the article.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently released a report, stating a trend of decreasing compliance with corn refuge across the United States. In total, the report found that 13.2 million acres — an area equal to the size of Iowa’s corn crop — are not in compliance.

Why does refuge compliance matter?

Many scientists agree at refuges delay or prevent pests from developing Bt resistance because susceptible pests emerging from the refuge mate with resistant pests from the Bt field. This dilutes the resistance genes and maintains susceptibility of pest populations to Bt corn. If refuges are too small or too far from Bt fields, a shortage of refuge insects to mate with insects from Bt fields will occur.

What’s at stake?

At least three issues come to mind:
1. If compliance rates do not quickly improve, expect more demands for compliance, insistence to change the regulatory process, and/or steep penalties for noncompliance.
2. Refuge requirements from an integral part of insect resistance management programs. If some producers continue to ignore these requirements, insects may develop resistance to Bt corn sooner.
3. Third, every business enterprise — including corn production — bears a social role and responsibility.
Thanks to the 3 of every 4 corn growers who follow the refuge requirements. For more information on refuge compliance, click here to read the full Iowa Farmer Today article, or click here to read our recent post, “Remember to Plant the Refuge.”
Team Latham

April 19, 2010

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

National Soy Foods Month – Edamame Recipes
Edamame or soybeans are a nutritional powerhouse. Good friends of mine shared the below recipes incorporating edamame and they were too delicious not to share. Let us know what you think of them, or, tell us how you edamame!

For more information on Soy Foods month, click here.

Edamame Dip with Pita Chips

Makes 6 servings

Source: http://www.dispatchkitchen.com/live/content/recipe/recipe.html?ID=0331201001

Ingredients
- 3 pita bread rounds (preferably pocketless), each cut into 8 wedges
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
- 1 package (16 ounces) frozen shelled edamame
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Ground pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Scatter pita on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with salt.
3. Bake until crisp, about 15 minutes. Cool.
4. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion. Cook until softened, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add edamame and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
5. Transfer beans and 1/4 cup cooking liquid to blender. Add parsley. Blend until pureed. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Process until smooth, adding more cooking liquid to reach desired consistency. Season generously with salt and pepper.
6. Serve with pita chips.
Team Latham

April 16, 2010

Food & Family, General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Support 4-H Students By Giving the Gift of Grain
Crop producers who want to support Iowa 4-H Youth Development can now donate to the program by giving the gift of grain.

Due to budget cuts and declining state aid, Iowa 4-H has established a grain drive to raise additional funds. “Giving the gift of grain” provides farmers with another option to donate beyond writing a check or donating cash.

Self-employed farmers who donate grain to the Iowa 4-H Foundation will also benefit, reducing their self-employment tax and increasing their income tax savings. For more information about how you can help, see the simple steps below. You may also contact Albert Grunenwald, Associate Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, at (515) 294-4780 or abgrunen@iastate.edu.

How do I donate grain?
1. Deliver the grain to your local elevator, co-op or grain merchant.
2. Tell them you are donating the grain to the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
3. Make the check payable to the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
4. Receive a warehouse receipt showing the Iowa 4-H Foundation as owner.
5. Notify the Iowa 4-H Foundation of your donation.
6. The Foundation then orders the sale of the property, with the original sales invoice showing the Foundation as the seller.
Team Latham

April 15, 2010

General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Remember to Plant the Refuge

As you head into your fields this spring, be mindful of refuge requirements for all corn hybrids with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) technology.

Refuge is calculated based upon your state and county, as well as the trait(s) you are planting. Click here to download an easy-to-use IRM corn calculator. This calculator will help you determine the number of refuge acres required and planting configurations.

To help simplify the list of requirements for hybrids with Agrisure, YieldGard, Herculex and Genuity^TM SmartStax^TM – all of which appear in our current lineup of Latham® Hi‑Tech Hybrids – the University of Nebraska Extension recently published, “Bt Corn, Refuges and Insect Resistance Management for 2010.” NOTE: new Genuity SmartStax hybrids have been approved for reduced refuge in the Corn Belt of 5% for both above-and below-ground pests.

Refuges are required to help preserve Bt corn as an effective pest management tool well into the future. For more information about Insect Resistance Management, click here.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandates that a refuge be planted for every B.t. corn field. Respect the Refuge and Corn Design® is a registered trademark of National Corn Growers Association.

Team Latham

April 12, 2010

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

An easy (and delicious!) Sunday dinner
With different schedules for work, school and extracurricular activities, it’s no wonder that mealtime has gone the way of the moldboard plow for many families. That’s why I try to make Sunday dinners extra special.

Sunday mornings can be just as busy as any other day of the week, so fortunately the following recipe is quick to make and can be prepared ahead of time. Just pop it in the oven by 9:30 a.m., and your main course will be ready at noon. I like to serve it with baked apples or frozen peaches plus a side of green beans.

http://family.samhsa.gov/get/mealtime.aspx

Oven Baked Chicken

Ingredients:
- Frying chicken
- 1 cup old fashioned rice ( I use 2 cups of Minute Rice)
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups milk
- 1 package of dry onion soup
Preparation:
- Heavily grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- Sprinkle dry rice in pan. Lay raw chicken pieces on top of rice.
- Mix cream of chicken soup & milk together; pour over chicken.
- Sprinkle dry onion soup on top.
- Cover with foil; bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours at 350 degrees.
Team Latham

April 9, 2010

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Just how fast is too fast?

A big thank you to all of the Farmers for the Future members who responded to our recent question, “Just how fast is too fast?” in regards to planting.

Corn and soybean plants are subject to more than 1,000 variables each growing season. Proper planting is the most crucial variable and can have the most impact on performance. Below is a chart that shows the differences of seed placement when traveling 5.5 mph and 6.5 mph.

Many of the members who responded to the question answered that they think it’s best to take your time when planting, as the benefits for a slower speed will be present at harvest. They couldn’t be more right.

If you have any questions we can help answer regarding planting, please let us know. Also, if you’re looking for tips and information on spring planting, please take a moment to read our recent blog posts on planting preparation:

Planter Preparation

Top 5 Tips to Maximize yield

Tips to Deal with Soil Compaction

Top 10 Reasons to Avoid Soil Compaction

Team Latham

April 7, 2010

General, Season, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Top 10 Reasons to Avoid Soil Compaction
“Avoid the temptation,” cautions the soil experts. Entering fields at less-than-ideal soil conditions can actually do more harm than good.

Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Iowa State Univeristy associate professor in agronomy with research and Extension responsibilities in soil management and soil science, offers the following reasons to avoid rushing into your fields this spring.

Top 10 Reasons to Avoid Soil Compaction:
1. Causes nutrient deficiencies
2. Reduces crop productivity
3. Restricts root development
4. Reduces soil aeration
5. Decreases soil available water
6. Reduces infiltration rate
7. Increases bulk density
8. Increases sediment and nutrient losses
9. Increases surface runoff
10. Damages soil structure
Check the moisture profile before rushing into a field, says Al-Kaisi. Maximum soil compaction results when soil moisture is at or near field capacity because the moisture acts like a lubricant between soil particles that are under pressure from heavy field equipment.

For management tips on how to minimize soil compaction, check out Al-Kaisi’s article, “How and Why to Avoid Soil Compaction.”
Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager

April 6, 2010

Agronomics, Emergence, General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Compaction after a wet fall

As you head into the fields this spring, take a moment to remember what it took to get your crop out last fall. Extremely wet weather led to combines rolling through muddy conditions, and the wet extremes were followed by unusually heavy snowfall. This activity should alert you that compaction will undoubtedly be a challenge this spring.

Dealing with soil compaction

Many farmers will be tempted to try some extra tillage this spring to see if that will help break up the soil, but that is exactly what you should NOT do. Only time and the natural freezing/thawing cycle will break up compaction that is deep in the soil. Because of the heavy snow cover this past winter, most soils did not get that real hard freeze necessary to break up that deep compaction layer. In a recent article posted in the Extension News, ISU Extension Agronomist John Holmes summed it all up when he said, “Put simply, the more wheels and machinery that move over wet soil, the more compaction will take place.”

Therefore, be patient this spring. Wait until soil conditions are fit before doing tillage or fieldwork of any kind because it will pay you dividends next harvest! For fields that will be planted to soybeans, you may want to consider using a fungicide seed treatment. Cool, wet soils are noted to harbor diseases that can cause damping off. You should also choose soybean varieties and corn hybrids that have excellent disease ratings for your fields.

Your Latham^® seed specialist can help you select seed products that are right for you. For more information on locating a Latham® dealer near you, call 1.877.GO.LATHAM (465.2842).

Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager

April 5, 2010

Agronomics, Emergence, Fall, General, Season
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Top 5 Tips to Maximize Yield

We recently spoke with Mark Grundmeier, Latham Soybean Product Manager, who provided us with 5 tips to maximize your yields this season.

#5 – Planting Date: The trend has been to plant earlier and earlier over the past decade. While this practice has, in general, increased yields, there are some pitfalls to watch for and avoid. Avoid planting into soils that are too wet. This practice ALWAYS causes problems later due to side-wall compaction and/or uneven emergence. When planting soybeans into cool soils, consider the use of a fungicide seed treatment such as Latham® SoyShield to prevent the advent of seedling diseases.

#4 – Planting Depth: Ideal planting depth for corn is 2 inches and for soybeans it is 1½ inches. Some may still tell you to “plant to moisture” but this is seldom a good practice. If the soil moisture level is too deep, planting to that depth can cause delayed emergence, uneven stands and possibly even stands that are crusted over if you would receive a hard, pounding rain right after planting. Planting too shallow will often result in poor root development and may affect the crop all the way to harvest.

#3 – Row Spacing: There has been and will continue to be much debate on which row spacing provides the optimum yields for both corn and soybean. In general, soybeans seem to respond most favorably to spacings between 15 inches to 20 inches. If you are planting in rows that are wider or even narrower than this, consider running some side-by-side comparisons on your fields to see which spacing might be best for your farming operation. For corn, 30-inch row spacings is still the most popular, but there are many farmers experimenting with 20-inch rows and also twin-row systems. Again, running trials on your own fields will help determine what is right for you.

#2 – Weed Control: Before planting, always start with a clean field. Even in years when planting might be delayed due to wet conditions, allowing weeds to get ahead of the crop is not a good practice. Remember that the objective of herbicide applications is to save yield, not just to kill weeds!

#1 – Hybrid/Variety Selection: Choosing the right corn hybrid or soybean variety is the most important decision you make year in and year out. Selection should be based on past yield performance (in multiple trials conducted in like field conditions and comparing like maturities), past disease or pest problems that have been identified and taking into consideration farming practices used (e.g. early planting, narrow rows, no-till, etc.). Seed selection should not be based strictly on cost of the seed, seed size or what may have worked well for a neighbor/friend.

If you have any questions we can help answer regarding planting, just type it in to the field below and we’ll reply shortly!

Team Latham

March 31, 2010

Agronomics, Emergence, General, Precision Ag, Weed Control
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Planter Preparation
There are many things that require your attention as you prepare to head back into the fields, but one of the more important things you can do is get your planter well prepared for planting.

Below is a check list of important steps to take when preparing your planter for the field:
1. Check the drive trains; make sure they are not rusted or stiff.
2. Check the shaft bearings and sprocket bearings for their shape and condition. They should be well lubricated.
3. Clean and inspect the chemical meters used for seed treatments on the planter.
4. Check the opener blades; make sure they are not worn.
5. Check the sprocket teeth for wear.
6. If equipped, make sure the vacuum meter system is clean and seals are not worn to ensure proper metering.
7. Use the owner’s manual extensively for calibration.
8. Follow all hourly service requirements and greasing requirements.
9. Stop by the dealer or visit the equipment manufacturer’s web site to learn what is new.
10. In the field, dig to expose seeds in the row to be sure the planter is operating correctly. This may help avoid an erratic stand after emergence. Confirm desired seed depth and seed-to-soil contact.
For other important tips as you prepare for planting, see our blog, Planting Preparation, (you’ll need to scroll down a bit) and as always, please post any questions you might have that we can help with in the field below.
Team Latham

March 29, 2010

General, Season, Spring

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Reduction in refuge compliance threatens technology

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

National Soy Foods Month – Edamame Recipes

Edamame Dip with Pita Chips

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Support 4-H Students By Giving the Gift of Grain

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Remember to Plant the Refuge

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

An easy (and delicious!) Sunday dinner

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Just how fast is too fast?

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Top 10 Reasons to Avoid Soil Compaction

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Compaction after a wet fall

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Top 5 Tips to Maximize Yield

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Planter Preparation