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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Give Your Heart Some Love
It’s National Heart Month! Over the years we’ve shared many tips and tricks for staying heart healthy. A good number of these tips have come from dieticians we’ve met along the way, as well as the smart folks at the Iowa Food & Family Project. Today we’re pulling some of them all together right here, and we invite you to join us in our journey toward better health and wellness.

Here are a few simple steps to get started:

Protect your sleep. When we are tired, we tend to reach for unhealthy snacks or beverages like energy drinks or sugary foods. This causes disturbed sleep cycles, which can wreak havoc on our appetite hormones, mental performance and immune response. Poor sleep can also drive insulin resistance, which is one of the strongest risk factors for weight gain and obesity. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night to give your body the rest it needs.

Practice self-care. Physical fitness is always important, but we also need to take care of our mind, body and spirit so we can be healthy. Self-care looks different for everyone, but some examples include journaling, breathing exercises, brisk walks outside, dancing, riding a bike or enjoying a bubble bath with a bath bomb! No one can maintain a healthy, active lifestyle without a little “me” time.

Eat well. To really give your heart some love, eat these three foods:
- Low-carb Vegetables. Examples: green beans, broccoli, spinach, kale, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, Brussels sprouts. These veggies are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber and are low-calorie in comparison to other food groups.
- Walnuts. Walnuts are primarily a healthy fat source with some carbohydrate and a little bit of protein. They are high in vitamin B6, folate, thiamin – playing a role in cellular energy and a healthy nervous system.
- Salmon/Tuna. Salmon and tuna are both fatty fish and are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, a polyunsaturated fat. The American Heart Association considers 3.5 ounces of cooked fish or ¾ cup to be a single serving. For adults, two servings per week are recommended to help lower risk for heart disease.
This recipe brings all three of these foods into a simple, one-pan meal. It’s a warm salad with heart-healthy ingredients that’s perfect for any February night.
Shannon Latham

February 16, 2024

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

Soup-erb News!

We have a winner of our grand prize drawing in celebration of #NationalSoupMonth!

A big ladle-ful of thanks to everyone who blew our taste buds away with their family favorite soup recipes. We hope you all enjoy your free Latham ladle as a gift for sharing with us. May it serve up plenty more bowls of souper memories.

We’re happy to announce the winner of our grand prize drawing is Emily Stoesz of Minnesota! Emily wins a new Ninja Foodi Cooker — the perfect kitchen upgrade for soup-erior soups and much, much more.

Check out Emily’s recipe for Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup and thanks for having fun with us! Enjoy the Super Bowl with your family and friends!

Webspec Admin

February 9, 2024

General, Recipes, Soups
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

The Big Game is almost here!

Make it souper with this recipe from our friend Ben Gausmann, who says it’s the perfect game-day warmup on a chilly winter day. #SouperBowlCountdown

Webspec Admin

February 8, 2024

General, Recipes, Soups
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Are you getting Big Game ready? We are!

When it’s cold outside, this recipe is the next best thing to outdoor grilling. Thanks to Traci Sturgeon for sharing a souper family favorite with us! We hope you enjoy your Latham ladle — and good luck in our grand prize drawing for a new Ninja Foodi Cooker. #NationalSoupMonth #SouperBowlCountdown

Webspec Admin

February 6, 2024

General, Recipes, Soups
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Boldness and Humility: A True Leadership Trait

They met in 1989 at the Best Western hotel in Moline, Illinois to talk about the challenges facing seed companies at the time. Among those present was Bill Latham, who wanted to work alongside like-minded advocates of independent seed businesses.

The group’s main concern? How to keep from being shut out of the best genetics and early traits in soybeans (and later corn) as those traits came into the marketplace.

Chris Latham, who was 16 years old, remembers lots of “kitchen table talk” at his home in Alexander, Iowa, where Bill and others actively brainstormed ways to move forward.

“It was frankly a scary time,” Chris says. “The future was very uncertain as large companies could have easily shut out independents.”

As a result of those early discussions, however, the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) was born. Fast forward 35 years later: Bill Latham’s sons, Chris and John, are still carrying on their father’s example as stewards in the industry.

“IPSA has always had great innovators, my father included,” says Chris, who just concluded a one-year term as president of the organization. He previously served as president of the Iowa Seed Association, and older brother John continues to serve on the board of the American Seed Trade Association.

Chris Latham, CFO for Latham Seeds

“Independent companies provide a critical pathway for new products and ideas — outside what global seed companies can offer,” Chris says. “The inherent nature of independent companies is to find innovative ways to create value for farmers outside of the traditional trait and genetic pathways.”

Chris says his goal as IPSA president was to tell its members’ stories through bold and humble leadership. He also aimed to help the industry push forward, despite many mergers and consolidations among the global companies. Often, he says, Wall Street undervalues the benefits that independent companies bring to agriculture — a lesson he learned not only from his father but as CFO of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

“I always admired Dad’s desire to learn about things and to apply it to whatever he did,” says Chris, who recalls summer vacations spent road-tripping across the United States, taking in the sights on their way to the latest seed industry convention. “I literally grew up in the seed business.”

After graduating from CAL High School in Latimer, Iowa, Chris majored in Finance at Drake University. He graduated in May 1995 and worked full-time in the banking industry. On Saturdays, he attended classes at Iowa State University in Ames to earn a Master of Business Administration.

Chris, his brother John and sister-in-law Shannon Latham purchased the family’s flagship soybean seed company in 2009 as the third-generation owners.

“While my background was not in agronomy, I felt I was in the right place and time to help grow the business,” Chris says. “John and Shannon have backgrounds in sales and marketing respectively. We each have unique roles, so we can contribute in our own way.”

Chris’s wife, Ann, is a family and child psychologist. She specializes in helping kids with learning challenges. They live in Urbandale, Iowa, and have three children: Will, Courtney and Morgan.

He shares his favorite recipe Turkey Tetrazzini below.

Shannon Latham

February 1, 2024

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Campaigning for a Cure
For more than 75 years, Latham® Hi‑Tech Seeds has served farmers with the latest seed genetics, highest-quality products and unparalleled hometown service. But Bill Latham’s cancer diagnosis spurred a new way to serve: funding the treatment and research of cancer.

One in three people are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and the disease affects millions of others. That’s why — for more than a decade — Latham Seeds has been a proud supporter of the American Cancer Society (ACS), beginning with its involvement in Coaches vs. Cancer. As die-hard Iowa State fans and basketball enthusiasts, we began sponsoring the Cyclones Charity Stripe event for Coaches vs. Cancer in 2013. Eventually, we expanded our support to the Hawkeyes’ program. Each season, our family-owned company donates money to the ACS for every free throw made by a Cyclone and Hawkeye player.

Through our sponsorship of the Charity Stripe Promotion, Latham Seeds has given more than $65,000 to the ACS. Each year representatives from Latham Seeds are honors at half court of a college basketball game to present a check to the ACS.

January 20, 2024 Hawkeye Basketball Game

“Our family’s experience gave us a new appreciation for all the lifesaving research, treatment and support provided by the American Cancer Society,” John Latham says. “After my dad’s stem cell transplant, he and my mom stayed in the Gift of Life Transplant House. They truly felt surrounded by caring people, which meant the world to them and our entire family.”

Latham Seeds’ partnership with the ACS was further deepened in 2022 when the company launched a campaign called “Sowing Seeds of Hope” in celebration of its 75th Anniversary. The goal is to raise $75,000 for the American Cancer Society within three years.

Help Us Sow More Seeds of Hope

Thanks to Latham® Dealers, customers and employees, the company met its goal of raising $25,000 in the first year of the campaign. We need your help to stay on track to meet our goal for Year Two of this campaign.

Below are three quick and easy ways you can help during the 2023-2024 sales year:
1. Share our social posts. Latham Seeds will be recognized for its contribution to American Cancer Society at half court during the Cyclones men’s basketball games in Ames on Feb. 25. Feel free to “like” and “share” our related social media posts on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.
2. Promote designated hybrids. For every unit sold of LH 3937 VT2 PRO, LH 5377 VT2 PRO and LH 6477 VT2 PRO, Latham Seeds will give $1 to the American Cancer Society.
3. Donate. If you feel so inclined you can make an online donation. You can also write a check payable to the American Cancer Society and mail it to Latham Seeds, 131 180^th, Alexander, IA 50420. We also appreciate the dealers who let us know they’re providing an additional $1 donation on each of the designated “HOPE” hybrids.
Thank you for joining our mission to fight cancer, one unit at a time! Learn more about this amazing opportunity.
Shannon Latham

January 26, 2024

General, Seeds of Hope
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Forging Family, Friends and Farming is Their Favorite Pastime

Diana Madsen grew up in a Minneapolis suburb, but the transition to small-town living was much easier than expected when she married Mike and moved into the farmhouse where his mother was raised.

Mike and Diana Madsen

Mike and Diana’s moms were childhood friends. Their parents even double dated while they were in high school.

When Diana’s family visited Heron Lake in the summers, it was common for the two families to gather. Their families stayed in touch throughout the years, but Mike and Diana didn’t start dating until they had graduated from college.

“I’ve always enjoyed farming and that’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do,” says Mike, who started farming in 1991 with his father. “I didn’t play football because I didn’t want to miss out on harvest.”

While rural living is different from Diana’s suburban childhood, she feels blessed to raise her family on the Stenzel Century Farm.

“The thing I love most is that your neighbors are your friends here,” she says. “Your neighbors and others in the community are always offering support in times of need. The other piece is that people are always looking out for your kids, too.”

Mike and Diana appreciate having flexible work schedules that allow them to maximize their family time. Diana worked for years as the Associate Director of Active Aging Programs at Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota. In addition to farming, Mike operates a Latham® dealership.

“What I enjoy most about selling seed is interacting with other farmers,” he says. “I decided to take on a Latham® dealership because Latham Seeds is a family-owned company that offers all the seed technology options available on the market.”

Mike and Diana are the proud parents of three grown children: Sarah, Andrew and Matt.

Because it’s National Soup Month, the Madsens are sharing one of their favorite recipes for a snowy January day.

Shannon Latham

January 19, 2024

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

Look back to see what’s new:

As we put 2023 on the shelf, there are several things we can reflect on to make 2024 more profitable. Two key factors helped shaped surprisingly good yields across Latham Country in 2023. First, nights were cooler than the year before, and the corn plant had a reprieve from the intense heat and drought. Second, genetics and plant characteristics have “migrated” north as the growing season has changed year over year.

Let’s take a closer look at how genetics and plant characteristics have changed and what Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is doing to address these changes. Southern genetics have always been able to tolerate drought and heat better than their counterparts in the north. As the growing season extends throughout the years, southern genetics are being bred into northern germplasm which results in “tougher” products being brought north. Latham’s Research and Development program tests products south and north of their area of adaptation to fully vet these new genetics. The added spend is well worth the investment for Latham customers as we gain first-hand experience with these products across multiple environments.

Along with the shift in genetics and maturities, Latham is seeing a shift in technologies. We are seeing a shift in corn rootworm technology with the launch of VT4PRO^™ with RNAi Technology. This technology brings three above-ground modes of action and two below-ground modes of action, including RNAi Technology. RNAi technology offers a specific mode of action which attacks the gut of the rootworm differently than all other modes of action. This technology is also featured in SmartStax^® PRO with RNAi Technology. If rootworm protection is not in your plans, Latham hybrids featuring PowerCore^® Enlist^® are taking the market by storm. The Enlist^® corn trait allows for the ultimate weed management flexibility with tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D choline, and FOP herbicides in corn. Enlist® herbicides stay on target and have lower volatility than both dicamba and traditional 2,4-D formulations. Use Enlist herbicides to control late season emerged broadleaf weeds such as waterhemp and Palmer amaranth. PowerCore® trait technology brings long-lasting insect control against key above-ground susceptible insects.

Latham Seeds offers a full portfolio of the latest traits and technologies, but we know it all comes down to yield. Here is a small sample of what you can expect from Latham’s corn portfolio.

LH 3775 VT2 PRO RIB, 87 RM:

+ 4 bu over DKC41-55 across 18 locations

+9.3 bu over P9193AM across 13 locations

LH 4438 SS PRO RIB, 94 RM:

+ 1.5 bu over DKC45-65 across 12 locations

LH 4866 TREC RIB, 98 RM:

+17.9 bu over DKC47-85RIB across 10 locations

+17.9 bu over P9624AM across 23 locations

LH 5336 PCE RIB, 103 RM:

+11.2 bu over P0421AM across 26 locations

+5.9 bu over DKC55-54 DG VT2P across 26 locations

LH 5815 VT2 PRO RIB, 108 RM:

+10.8 bu over P0622Q across 10 locations

LH 6306 PCE RIB, 113 RM:

+1.1 bu over DKC64-34 across 8 locations

+9.9 bu over P1197AM across 15 locations

LH 6445 VT2 PRO RIB, 114 RM:

+6.9 bu over DKC64-34 across 7 locations

+13 bu over P1197AM across 7 locations

Contact your local Latham representative to find out more information about these and other top-performing Latham corn hybrids or call 1.877.GO.LATHAM.

Team Latham

January 11, 2024

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

Celebrate January as “Souper” Bowl Month

It’s hard to think of something more comforting than a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day. We all have our favorite soup recipes, and I’m pretty sure each bowl has a favorite memory behind it.

My favorite soup growing up was – and still is – my mom’s beef vegetable soup with homemade dumplings. I also enjoy my mom’s hamburger soup. Mom is a great from-scratch cook who doesn’t measure, so I’m thankful for The Pioneer Woman’s recipe for Hamburger Soup. I’ve added more favorite soup recipes over the years while interviewing Latham® Dealers for my blog. I made sure many of these got included in the Latham Seeds commemorative cookbook.

If you haven’t seen the soup recipes for cheeseburger, wild rice or sausage & squash . . . well, grab a copy of the cookbook and see for yourself why these are new must-haves in your menu plan. A few copies of the cookbook remain, so order now if you still need one. Email jennym@lathamseeds.com for ordering details.

Because there’s always room for soup, we want more recipes! Help us celebrate National Soup Month by sending us your favorite soup recipes.

Complete this online form and you’ll automatically receive a soup ladle from Latham Seeds! Better yet, you’ll be entered to win a fabulous Ninja Foodi Cooker, which has EIGHT cooking functions for soup (and many other things).

Send us just one recipe and you will feel like a souper star! We can’t wait to see your family favorites.

Submit Recipes Here.

Shannon Latham

January 5, 2024

Food & Family, General, Recipes, Soups, Winter
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

This Family Still Makes Christmas

Being resourceful was something Mandy (Maurer) Danner learned at an early age while growing up on her family’s farm in Royal, Iowa. Her parents, Lori and Jeff Maurer, enjoyed repurposing old farm equipment and household items to preserve memories and “decorate on a dime.” Family photos adorn the kitchen walls, framed in windows salvaged from an old hog barn. A bowl her great grandma used to make homemade bread hangs nearby. An old wooden ladder was turned into a unique, decorative shelf.

During the holiday season, finding new uses for old items was something the whole family took part in by literally “making Christmas.” Mandy, who is one of three Maurer kids, recalls everyone drawing names and then personally making a gift for that person. It became a special tradition that her dad and grandpa continue today, whether it be fireplace mantles or hand-crafted coffee tables for Mandy and her brothers, Kevin and Mitch. Their 82-year-old grandpa also makes each great grandchild a barn.

One of Mandy’s most cherished “make it Christmas” gifts is a beautiful kitchen table, made from wood her parents saved from felled trees on one of the first farms they ever bought. That table reminds Mandy of the love and care her family always showed – and passed along – through meaningful gifts that will last a lifetime.

A table full of memories.

Mandy’s grandpa created this gates for our operation.

“Together my dad and grandpa have made many things, but my favorite and most treasured is the kitchen table,” says Mandy, who has two children with her husband, Cole Danner who is the regional sales manager for all C&B Operations’ Iowa stores.

The Danners also raise purebred Red Angus cattle. A love for showing cattle brought Cole and Mandy together when they were students at Iowa State University and members of the Block & Bridle Club. Their son will show his first heifer in 2024, and they couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming show season.

Now that she and her siblings have children, Mandy says it’s a bit harder to do the “make it” each year. She’s grateful that her dad and grandpa are continuing the tradition.

When they gather together, the Maurer and Danner families enjoy easy-but-hearty meals like their beef stew that are perfect on cold, winter’s nights.

Shannon Latham

December 22, 2023

Beef, Food & Family, General, Soups