Today’s live discussion features green snap and the implications on your corn crop!
FB Live Link: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156533940542138/
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Unleash the Potential Within HarvXtra®
It’s hard to believe something so amazing can originate from something so small! A tiny alfalfa seed holds unmatched genetic potential. It also harnesses so much potential for a return on your investment.
To help you see how this investment in seed more that pays, HarvXtra® has created a value calculator. See where the value lies: https://www.foragegenetics.com/harvxtra-Calculator.
There are many benefits to planting HarvXtra. The ability to increase yield capacity while taking one less cutting per season saves you time and labor. Making fewer passes across the field leads to less compaction and helps increase winter hardiness. Even better, HarvXtra produces outstanding forage quality. These dividends can get completely eclipsed by the initial investment.
As a grower, you can unleash that potential by seeding the alfalfa into fertile soil. Use the best seeding methods available. Manage weed pressure using the advantage of the Roundup Ready gene, and let the genetics work for you!
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
June is Officially Turkey Lover’s Month
Whether you’re packing a deli picnic to enjoy at the lake or grabbing a Subway® sandwich on the way to a ball game, chances are you’re enjoying Iowa-raised turkey.“The rising popularity of sandwich chains means more Americans than ever are enjoying turkey that was produced by West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa,” explains Jared Achen of Achen Farms, a third generation Iowa turkey farmer who is a member-owner of the West Liberty Foods cooperative.
Today 75 percent of turkey is eaten year-round, which is a significantly different trend than when Jared’s father started raising turkeys. In 1970, 50 percent of the turkey eaten in the U.S. was enjoyed during the holidays.
“It’s gratifying to see that Americans are enjoying turkey in a variety of ways throughout the year,” says Jared, who also has a vested interest in Agri-Way Partners, a feed mill for turkey growers in Southeast Iowa. He says being involved with West Liberty Foods and Agri-Way Partners allows him to build strong relationships with other producers and others in the turkey industry. “This support is like a big family in a small industry. Producers are more than willing to share information aimed at keeping the industry strong.”Iowa turkey producers have learned to consistently produce turkey year-round to keep up with the rising demand. That’s good news for rural communities and the farm families who wish to keep farming the land that’s been in their family for generations. The Achen’s turkey operation plus their corn and soybean enterprises support five families.
“We have an amazing team that helps us grow and maintain our operation. It truly takes a village to run a farm and raise a family. We’re blessed with great full-time and part-time help,” says Jared.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University in 2011, Jared returned home to Henry County. He married his high school sweetheart, and they became independent turkey farmers. Jared and Tawnya feel blessed to be growing their farming operation and raising their two children, three-year-old Brecken and 1-year-old Tenley, in the beautiful rolling hills of Southeast Iowa.Jared and Tawnya built their first turkey farm with two barns in 2011. Then they expanded in 2015 by building one new barn. In 2017, they purchased another farm that added three barns.
“Someday I hope to pass this operation on to the fourth generation of turkey growers, and this legacy is what keeps me motivated,” says Jared. “We enjoy farming together as a family and watching our children experience life on a family farm. It’s fun to experience farming through the eyes of my children. They really enjoy it when we get day-old poults on our farm.”
Caring for turkeys and watching them grow is a rewarding endeavor for the Achens. Turkeys arrive when they are 1 day
old and grow quickly for 19 weeks until they are finished at about 44 pounds. Like other livestock enterprises, good management is key for turkey production. A consistent daily routine of feeding, evaluating the turkeys, checking ventilation, and applying new bedding is vital to producing top quality birds.Although the turkey and row crop operations keep the Achen family busy seven days a week, they still find time to be involved with their community. Jared and Tawnya hold positions within their church and volunteer at school events. Jared also is a member of the Wayland Economic Development Committee and serves on the Henry County Farm Bureau board.
“We strive to assist our community as much as possible as it is important to us to have our small town thriving,” says Jared. “We also give farm tours. We often have community members ask to tour. Sometimes those who have moved away like to come ‘home’ and show their kids our turkeys. Bio-Security is important, but we do our best to protect our turkeys while teaching the public about turkeys.”
The Achen family also shares their farm life by posting frequently on the Achen Farms Facebook page. Another way they connect with consumers is through the Midwest Old Threshers, which draws people to the area each Labor Day weekend. The Achens set up an turkey booth within their church tent where they serve turkey drumsticks and turkey tenderloins.Today the Achens are sharing with us one of their family’s favorite recipes for turkey enchiladas. Download this recipe and celebrate June Turkey Month with your family!
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
June is Officially Turkey Lover’s Month
Whether you’re packing a deli picnic to enjoy at the lake or grabbing a Subway® sandwich on the way to a ball game, chances are you’re enjoying Iowa-raised turkey.“The rising popularity of sandwich chains means more Americans than ever are enjoying turkey that was produced by West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa,” explains Jared Achen of Achen Farms, a third generation Iowa turkey farmer who is a member-owner of the West Liberty Foods cooperative.
Today 75 percent of turkey is eaten year-round, which is a significantly different trend than when Jared’s father started raising turkeys. In 1970, 50 percent of the turkey eaten in the U.S. was enjoyed during the holidays.
“It’s gratifying to see that Americans are enjoying turkey in a variety of ways throughout the year,” says Jared, who also has a vested interest in Agri-Way Partners, a feed mill for turkey growers in Southeast Iowa. He says being involved with West Liberty Foods and Agri-Way Partners allows him to build strong relationships with other producers and others in the turkey industry. “This support is like a big family in a small industry. Producers are more than willing to share information aimed at keeping the industry strong.”Iowa turkey producers have learned to consistently produce turkey year-round to keep up with the rising demand. That’s good news for rural communities and the farm families who wish to keep farming the land that’s been in their family for generations. The Achen’s turkey operation plus their corn and soybean enterprises support five families.
“We have an amazing team that helps us grow and maintain our operation. It truly takes a village to run a farm and raise a family. We’re blessed with great full-time and part-time help,” says Jared.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University in 2011, Jared returned home to Henry County. He married his high school sweetheart, and they became independent turkey farmers. Jared and Tawnya feel blessed to be growing their farming operation and raising their two children, three-year-old Brecken and 1-year-old Tenley, in the beautiful rolling hills of Southeast Iowa.Jared and Tawnya built their first turkey farm with two barns in 2011. Then they expanded in 2015 by building one new barn. In 2017, they purchased another farm that added three barns.
“Someday I hope to pass this operation on to the fourth generation of turkey growers, and this legacy is what keeps me motivated,” says Jared. “We enjoy farming together as a family and watching our children experience life on a family farm. It’s fun to experience farming through the eyes of my children. They really enjoy it when we get day-old poults on our farm.”
Caring for turkeys and watching them grow is a rewarding endeavor for the Achens. Turkeys arrive when they are 1 day
old and grow quickly for 19 weeks until they are finished at about 44 pounds. Like other livestock enterprises, good management is key for turkey production. A consistent daily routine of feeding, evaluating the turkeys, checking ventilation, and applying new bedding is vital to producing top quality birds.Although the turkey and row crop operations keep the Achen family busy seven days a week, they still find time to be involved with their community. Jared and Tawnya hold positions within their church and volunteer at school events. Jared also is a member of the Wayland Economic Development Committee and serves on the Henry County Farm Bureau board.
“We strive to assist our community as much as possible as it is important to us to have our small town thriving,” says Jared. “We also give farm tours. We often have community members ask to tour. Sometimes those who have moved away like to come ‘home’ and show their kids our turkeys. Bio-Security is important, but we do our best to protect our turkeys while teaching the public about turkeys.”
The Achen family also shares their farm life by posting frequently on the Achen Farms Facebook page. Another way they connect with consumers is through the Midwest Old Threshers, which draws people to the area each Labor Day weekend. The Achens set up an turkey booth within their church tent where they serve turkey drumsticks and turkey tenderloins.Today the Achens are sharing with us one of their family’s favorite recipes for turkey enchiladas. Download this recipe and celebrate June Turkey Month with your family!
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
FB Live: Managing IDC
Join us for discussion on IDC in soybeans and solutions for your field!
FB Live Link: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156515847767138/
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
FB Live: Managing IDC
Join us for discussion on IDC in soybeans and solutions for your field!
FB Live Link: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156515847767138/
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Tests Underway with Climate Nitrogen Advisor
Nitrogen is mobile in air, water or soil. Because nitrogen moves, it’s a challenge for farmers to keep everything in balance while maintaining profitability. That’s probably why we hear so much about “precise nitrogen management.”
It seems like everyday we hear about a different way to best manage nitrogen. Universities have moved from the long accustomed Yield Goal approach to Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN), which links corn and nitrogen prices to calculate the best nitrogen rate based on years of data. The objective is to provide a yield increase that will pay for the cost of the nitrogen. Another nitrogen management method involves applying some nitrogen before planting to get the corn started. Then soil or plant tissue samples are taken to determine plant nitrogen levels and to estimate how much nitrogen will be available in the soil for the remainder of the season.
Yet another nitrogen management tool is sensor technology, which uses artificial light to capture on-the-go leaf reflectance and translates that into values to calculate a product rate for on the-go nitrogen side-dress applications. The Nitrogen Advisor tool available through the Climate FieldView™ (CFV) platform combines extensive weather data with rainfall and temperature information to understand leaching, volatilization or other ways nitrogen may be lost based on timing of application, product being applied, and rates being applied. This sounds very familiar to the 4 R’s of nutrient management: Right Rate, Right Source, Right Placement, and Right Timing.
The CFV Nitrogen Advisor is based on a model that has been extensively researched throughout the Midwest. Last winter the Iowa Soybean Association released its research, which included replicated trials using the CFV Nitrogen Advisor. Cooperating farmers across Iowa ran the CFV Nitrogen Advisor and used their own personal nitrogen rates as the check. They compared their rates with both adding and decreasing rates of 40 lbs/acre of nitrogen. Nitrogen Advisor topped 7 of the 10 trials, and in some of these trials, it led to $20/acre profit! Where Nitrogen Advisor wasn’t on top, it was within $10/acre in terms of profit of the top performer.
When profit margins are tight, we’re all extremely interested in getting the best return on our investment. Nitrogen is where we spend most of our fertility budget; we’re experimenting on the Latham Research Farm with the Climate Nitrogen Advisor this season. I invite you to attend our fall field day in Alexander where you will be able to walk through the plot. We’ll also be sharing research results at our post-harvest meetings this fall.
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Tests Underway with Climate Nitrogen Advisor
Nitrogen is mobile in air, water or soil. Because nitrogen moves, it’s a challenge for farmers to keep everything in balance while maintaining profitability. That’s probably why we hear so much about “precise nitrogen management.”
It seems like everyday we hear about a different way to best manage nitrogen. Universities have moved from the long accustomed Yield Goal approach to Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN), which links corn and nitrogen prices to calculate the best nitrogen rate based on years of data. The objective is to provide a yield increase that will pay for the cost of the nitrogen. Another nitrogen management method involves applying some nitrogen before planting to get the corn started. Then soil or plant tissue samples are taken to determine plant nitrogen levels and to estimate how much nitrogen will be available in the soil for the remainder of the season.
Yet another nitrogen management tool is sensor technology, which uses artificial light to capture on-the-go leaf reflectance and translates that into values to calculate a product rate for on the-go nitrogen side-dress applications. The Nitrogen Advisor tool available through the Climate FieldView™ (CFV) platform combines extensive weather data with rainfall and temperature information to understand leaching, volatilization or other ways nitrogen may be lost based on timing of application, product being applied, and rates being applied. This sounds very familiar to the 4 R’s of nutrient management: Right Rate, Right Source, Right Placement, and Right Timing.
The CFV Nitrogen Advisor is based on a model that has been extensively researched throughout the Midwest. Last winter the Iowa Soybean Association released its research, which included replicated trials using the CFV Nitrogen Advisor. Cooperating farmers across Iowa ran the CFV Nitrogen Advisor and used their own personal nitrogen rates as the check. They compared their rates with both adding and decreasing rates of 40 lbs/acre of nitrogen. Nitrogen Advisor topped 7 of the 10 trials, and in some of these trials, it led to $20/acre profit! Where Nitrogen Advisor wasn’t on top, it was within $10/acre in terms of profit of the top performer.
When profit margins are tight, we’re all extremely interested in getting the best return on our investment. Nitrogen is where we spend most of our fertility budget; we’re experimenting on the Latham Research Farm with the Climate Nitrogen Advisor this season. I invite you to attend our fall field day in Alexander where you will be able to walk through the plot. We’ll also be sharing research results at our post-harvest meetings this fall.
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
Community Service is an Albert Family Tradition
When farmers see a need within their community, chances are they’ll band together and offer a solution or two. That’s how the Albert family of Brandon, Iowa, became known for hosting an annual Memorial Day four-wheeler ride, a late summer sweet corn roast and a community tractor ride. The Alberts also organize the community’s Thanksgiving meal and are one of three farm families that takes turns hosting the Testicle Festival each January to raise money for cancer research.One of their friends was diagnosed with cancer about 10 years ago, which prompted several local cattle producers to fry Rocky Mountain oysters and other fair-type foods. About five or six years ago, Craig Albert realized many residents didn’t have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving. He and his wife, Judy, decided to change how they celebrated the holiday.
“Now we invite the town to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at Brandon Community Center,” says Craig. “Our son and daughter help, too. People bring in canned donations for food pantry. Free will donations go to local family or a local charity. The community really comes together. Instead of eating and running, people enjoy sticking around and talking with one another.”
Like his father, Jordan Albert grew up knowing he wanted to farm. He lives by the lyrics to Dallas Davidson’s song “God Made a Farmer…” He gets up early and stays up late. He seeds, and feeds and weeds and breathes… bleeds, weans and rakes. He’ll spend his lifetime praying for rain and his prized possession is his good name…
After he graduated from high school, Jordan studied Ag Business/GPS at Hawkeye Community College. When he graduated in 2006, there wasn’t room for him to join the family’s farming operation because his dad was farming with an uncle. Jordan took a job at Carson&Barron Farms had been working there for nine years when one day in February 2013 it all changed.
That day Jordan’s dad, Craig, was admitted to the hospital for a pace maker. Jordan came home to feed the cattle and plant the crops. Then his former boss told him, “Family comes first. I will always be here to support you, but you need to go back home and farm now.” That’s when Jordan started transitioning into his family’s farming operation. Over the years, he’s taken on more day-to-day responsibilities.
“I wasn’t forced to come back, but I’m glad I got the opportunity to do so,” says Jordan. “We don’t ever compromise friendships or family relationships with business. We agree that anything that happens outside the house is business. Anything that happens at the table is family.”
“A farm will not work without a backbone to the operation, and my mom is ours. I don’t think we could ever replace her,” adds Jordan.
Judy has worked off the farm at Denton Castings for 25 years. She works on the farm after work. When Craig was in the hospital, Judy would get up at 2:00 or 3:00 AM to help check cows, fill the planter, or load trucks with soybeans or corn.
Jordan’s sister, Jackie, also has a passion for cattle. She and her husband have their own stock cattle, but she’s still involved with Albert Family Farms. She takes care of the cattle records, including vaccinations and rate of gain. She tracks which bulls are the most docile and which ones – Galvey, Simmental, Angus, Fleckvieh and the different crossbreds – create the most return on investment (ROI).“Farming is about more than the money. Farming is a passion,” says Jordan. “You put the seed in the ground or see the little calf hit the ground, and it’s so rewarding to watch it grow and develop. When you pull that calf and watch it grow up, it’s the joy of life. You see that calf take its first breath, it’s a miracle.”
In addition to farming with his parents, Jordan is active in the Buchanan County Cattlemen’s Association. Each year group members hold an auction; funds raised support two $500 scholarships for high school 4-H and FFA members in Buchanan County. Then the two scholarship recipients help at the Cattlemen’s our food booth at the county fair. The cattlemen also grill at summer events, which Jordan says is as much fun as it is work. The grill outs help the cattlemen raise funds, as well as serves as a great way to promote beef.
The cattlemen also grill at summer events, which Jordan says is as much fun as it is work. The grill outs help the cattlemen raise funds, as well as serves as a great way to promote beef.
To help promote the high-quality beef he raises, today Jordan is sharing with us his tried and true recipe for Beef Brisket.
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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
FB Live: Dissecting a Corn Plant
Tune in as we dissect a corn plant at its current stage on Ask the Agronomist!
FB Live Video: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156497920517138/
