Season | | Latham Hi-Tech Seeds

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Attention Turns to Harvest

Latham® dealer Kyle Geske starting harvest on Latham L00938RR soybeans

Our season of extremes continue. This past week we experienced extreme temperature differences, as temperatures at one point as low as 33 degrees but daytime highs reached 90 degrees in Northwest Iowa. This past weekend also brought another rain event – or two – to the area. Top soil moisture is 80% adequate, and subsoil moisture is 79% adequate.

Although last week’s early frost nipped immature crops, 76% of Iowa’s corn and 74% of our state’s soybean crop are in good to excellent condition. Click here to see how crops are faring by region across Latham’s six-state marketing footprint.

Team Latham

September 24, 2014

Fall, General, Season
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Light Frost Nips Immature Crops

After getting a later start at planting in many areas, followed by even later replants in many areas, farmers across Latham Country were hoping for a late frost. An early frost affected many regions across the Midwest, which might have an impact on some corn and soybean yields. The minimum temperature of the freeze and the growth stage of the corn influence the potential yield loss.

To see how crops are faring across our six-state marketing footprint, click here.

Team Latham

September 17, 2014

Fall, Frost, General, Season, Weather
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Wet Weather Continues

Above-average temperatures and frequent rains continued this week. At Latham headquarters in North Central Iowa, about 7 inches of rain has fallen during the past 9 days. Some parts of the state could use a break from the wet weather, however, the crop remains in very good condition. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, today on KILJ Radio, reports that 76% of corn and 73% of the state’s soybeans crop is in good to excellent condition.

Diseases like Sudden Death Syndrome continue to surface. Keep a watch on stalk rots, which can help prioritize fields for the upcoming harvest. Scouting reports will also be helpful as you select seed now for next year’s crop. Click here for regional crop updates in the territories we cover.

Team Latham

September 3, 2014

Fall, General, Season
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Rain at Last!

It’s been a dry summer across Latham Country. After weeks of reporting “cool, dry conditions persist,” it’s good to hear that many areas received heat units and rainfall during the past 7 days. Above-normal temperatures during the week aided crop development.

Eighty-eight percent of Iowa’s corn crop is in the dough stage or beyond, which is 17 days ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the five-year average. Three-quarters of the corn is rated in good to excellent condition. Ninety-four percent of the soybean crop is setting pods or beyond, which is 13 percentage points above last year and 1 point above average. Nearly ¾ of the soybean acreage is in good to excellent condition.

The week ending Aug. 25 was Iowa’s wettest in seven weeks. Topsoil moisture levels improved. Subsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Click here for regional updates in the territories we cover.

Team Latham

August 27, 2014

General, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Wishing for Rainfall

The weather continues to be very good for crop development across Iowa with 77 percent of corn and 74 percent of soybeans in good to excellent condition. “Much of the state could use a shower,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, “especially to help the soybeans as they set and fill pods during August.” Several areas throughout Latham Country, especially in the north, report crops are showing signs of moisture stress.

July makes corn and August makes soybeans, as the saying goes, blogs Mark Licht with ISU Extension and Outreach. Regional and state yield estimates will soon be released based of ground surveys. Click on this link for soybean yield and corn yield estimation considerations.

To see how crops are faring in a particular region across Latham’s six-state marketing area, check out TheFieldPosition.com where you’ll find regional “From the Field” reports: http://bit.ly/1mXS9RY

Team Latham

August 6, 2014

General, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Seasonal Extremes Continue

Photo Credit to Darcy Maulsby

The season of extremes continues. About 7 to 10 days ago, we experienced temperatures about 20° cooler than the normal as a Polar Vortex that moved into the Midwest. Earlier this week we experienced heat indices of more than 100 degrees. While corn can handle high daytime temperatures quite well, as long as moisture is adequate, high nighttime temps can have adverse effects. About six consecutive nights with temperatures in the 70s and 80s can lead to dark respiration, lower dry matter and result in lower yields.

Thankfully, the 5-day forecast for North Central Iowa calls for daytime highs near 85° and nighttime lows around 58° to 60°. That’s perfect crop growing weather! There’s even a chance of rain on Friday, which would be welcome since we haven’t received significant rainfall in about 10 days. To see how crops are faring across our six-state marketing territory, visit “From the Field” on TheFieldPosition.com and click on the drop-down menu.

Team Latham

July 23, 2014

Agronomics, General, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Potential Impact of Saturated Soils on #Crop14
Heavy rain has caused localized ponding and flooding across much of Latham Country. Now farmers are wondering how long corn will survive in saturated soils, what impact of prolonged flooding or ponding will have, and what options they have if crops drowned out.

Injury level is determined by several factors including: (1) plant stage of development, (2) duration of ponding and (3) air/soil temperatures. Prior to the 6-leaf collar stage or when the growing point is at or below the soil surface, corn can usually survive only 2 to 4 days of flooded conditions. Soybeans can generally handle flooded conditions for 6 to 8 days, research shows.

Temperatures greater than 77° lessen the amount of time that plants can survive ponds and floods as oxygen levels are depleted more quickly. When oxygen is depleted, roots stop growing and plants stop taking up water.

To predict a plant’s ability to survive, check the color of the growing point. The growing point should be white to cream colored; a darkening and/or softening of the growing point usually precedes plant death. Also check the plants about 3 to 5 days after the water drains for new leaf growth.

When ponding or flooding happens early in the growing season – say before June 10 – farmers have the option of replanting corn. Later in the season, farmers still have the option of replanting soybeans. Key soybean replanting dates are:

Southern Iowa July 10-12

Central Iowa July 8-10

Northern Iowa July 6-8

Southern MN July 3-4

After the first part of July, options are pretty much limited to planting cover crops. Cover crops help prevent essential nutrients like water and nitrogen from running off into rivers and lakes. Cover crops also help control weeds and overcome erosion, which can result when fields are left fallow. Click here for tips on how to determine whether cover crops are right for our situation.

RELATED POSTS:
Webspec Admin

July 3, 2014

General, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Wicked Winds and Rain Wreak Havoc

Once again, this week we were reminded just how cruel Mother Nature can be! Crazy late-spring thunderstorms and tornados swept across Latham Country from eastern Nebraska through eastern Iowa on Monday evening. Heavy rains fell early this week across the Dakotas and into Minnesota and Wisconsin, too.

More than six inches of rain fell on Monday night in some areas of Franklin County, Iowa, with an additional 1.5 to 2 inches falling last night. Winds gusting at 70 miles per hour flattened crops, power lines and grain bins alike. The loss of property is disheartening, and our hearts go out to those who are trying to clean up and put the pieces together again. (Click here for tips on talking with consumers about storm damage.)

“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer,” said Will Rogers, the cowboy entertainer who was known for his wit and wisdom. So today, we’re going to talk about the silver lining. Our crops needed moisture. Although they got more than they needed this week, the tile lines are running again. Moisture is building in the soil profile. With first crop hay baled, this rain will get the second cutting of alfalfa off to a good start. The warm temperatures and high humidity we’re experiencing will cause crops to grow like weeds!

Speaking of weeds, let’s hope the top soil dries enough soon for the corn and soybeans to get sprayed before they get too tall. Volunteer corn is prevalent in some areas this year, and volunteer corn must be treated as a weed. It not only competes with plants for moisture and nutrients, but volunteer corn is a food source for rootworm larvae. Volunteer corn that is not controlled by tasseling attracts corn rootworm beetles for egg laying.

It’s imperative that farmers continue scouting fields at least weekly to stay ahead of weed, insect and disease pressure. For an update on what Latham’s Regional Sales Managers are seeing in their territories, click on “From the Field” and choose a region from the drop-down box on the right-hand side.

Team Latham

June 18, 2014

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Growth Stages, Rain, Season, Summer, Weather
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Rotary Hoe Can Help Seedlings Emerge

To rotary hoe or not to rotary hoe? That is a question worth asking.

Sunshine and warm temperatures like we’ve experienced for the past week are definitely needed to push along emergence of recently planted seed. However, we’re starting to see some instances where seedlings are struggling to break through the crusted soil surface as a result of either conditions at planting time or heavy rainfalls afterwards.

Wet planting conditions, fine soil textures, intensive tillage, or heavy rains after planting can result in delayed or uniform emergence. Some seedlings may not even emerge at all, which lowers stand counts and may reduce overall yield. Another problem that can result from crusted soils is rootless corn. Roots will take the path of least resistance, which means they might grow out the bottom of the seed furrow.

To help break up the crust and improve seedling emergence, consider using a rotary hoe.Get off the tractor and check for stand loss when starting a field. If loss seems greater than 3 to 5 percent, you may want to slow your travel speed to be less aggressive with the tool. Take care so soybean cotyledons aren’t broken off by the hoe. Expect a minor stand loss from hoeing, but this should be insignificant if your crop is truly having difficulty breaking through a crust.

Be sure to wait until soils have dried before using a hoe, so you don’t exacerbate the situation with soil compaction. Use a quick field test to check soil moisture. Simply mold a length of soil between your index finger and thumb, or roll it into a ball in your hand. Observe whether the soil breaks apart as you work it. If you toss the ball of soil into the air and it shatters or cracks upon falling to the ground, then conditions are likely suitable for tillage.

Webspec Admin

May 29, 2014

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

Post-planting is Ideal for Early Crop Scouting
It’s a good idea to start walking fields within 3 to 5 days of planting to see how well the crop is emerging at this point. Weather at the time of and shortly after planting really plays a role in the germination and emergence of corn. This spring we’re hearing from a few farmers who planted extremely early and made it work, while others are recovering from frost injury.

During germination, corn is particularly sensitive to low-temperature stress during germination, emergence, and seedling stages. A variety of soybean pathogens, like Pythium, are more prevalent in cool, wet soils. Cold soil temperatures can affect uniform emergence, consistent plant population and ultimately yield. We suggest taking field notes of the following:
1. Make a list of the planting date for each field.
2. Determine what hybrids or were planted where. Note the differences in “stress emergence” scores for the hybrids you planted.
3. Also note where each soybean brand was planted. If soybeans are damping off, perhaps next season you should opt for seed-applied fungicides.
Seed selection is one of the most important decisions affecting yield. Latham has a team of Product Specialists who can help you simplify the decision-making process. Talk to your local Latham® representative for more information or contact us at 1.877.GO.LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).
Webspec Admin

May 22, 2014

General, Season, Spring