Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

Almost every farm I drive has equipment parked. Farmers are itching to get going. Over the weekend, rain and snow fell across the region. The moisture was appreciated but came with cold temperatures. Mid-April temps in the 70s and 80s were quite the teasers! Soil temps are below 40 degrees again and below-normal highs are in the forecast. Periodic rains are also in the forecast, so hopefully that changes for the better. We have been moving seed in preparation of these weather possibilities, so please call your Latham® dealer.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

Cool, wet soils are creating challenges for farmers to get in the fields, but this weather isn’t preventing early season broadleaves and grasses from emerging on lighter soils. If you use a conventional tillage system, the field cultivator does a pretty good job of removing these weeds before planting. However, if you use minimum till or no till, you must use a burndown herbicide or a combination of burndown and pre-emergence application to prevent early competition or worse weeds that become too big for herbicides to work properly.

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Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

Sunshine and dry weather last week got farmers itching to get in the field. I saw some tillage equipment in fields last Thursday and Friday. A few fields of small grain got planted, however, the rain that fell over the weekend and during the first part of this week has slowed progress once again. Hopefully, drier weather is on it way so we can all go farming soon.

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Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

Field work is very slow in my region because of cool, wet soil conditions. Most farmers have everything in place, so they’re ready to roll when Mother Nature cooperates. I stopped to see Todd Toppen and found his dog, Patton who was named after the general, guarding the seed.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

With the snow and rain that fell across many parts of southern Minnesota last weekend, planting is still at a halt. We hope and pray warmer and drier days.

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Northern Wisconsin 

Joe Salter

Field work is finally under way in Northern Wisconsin. Fertilizer was spread recently in a field where a Latham® SuperStrip plot will be planted. Several corn plots will be planted during the next few weeks, so be sure to check out some local plots this year!

Alfalfa has been hit hard with winter kill as is evident in this field along Hwy 29 in Clark County.  Many producers will need to adjust their crop plans for these damaged fields.  For more information on alfalfa and winter kill, check out this link: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/577684892726656?sfns=mo

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

Conditions were nearly perfect for planting in southern Wisconsin last week. Then rain and snow moved in Saturday. Seven to eight inches of snow fell in some areas, but it didn’t stick around long.

Wet conditions are giving farmers extra time to check their planters. One farmer was checking and adjusting the seed depth on his machine on Monday when I stopped by his shop. Everyone wants to make sure the machinery and equipment is in working condition we finally get back into the fields.

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North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

Fields are too wet for field work in North Iowa, but you can see interesting things – like a rogue pig in the middle of a field – while driving down country roads on a rainy spring day.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

This field in Mitchell County, Iowa, is ready for planting once the weather cooperates. A few fields got planted last weekend before rain and then snow moved in Saturday. More rain is in the forecast, so all we can do is be patient and be ready to roll once the conditions are fit. It’s May 1, so there’s still time to make a great crop.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

I really enjoy helping customers make sure their planters are field ready by running health checks and making sure that seeding prescriptions are successfully loaded through our cloud-based system. This is all part of our advisory service offered by Latham Hi‑Tech Seed’s Data Forward^TM precision ag services.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Planting corn by Center Point last Thursday.

The 3.9 inches of rain that from Saturday through Tuesday brought field work to a standstill.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

Latham 455TQ alfalfa is growing strong. It already measures 9 inches. I can’t wait for first cutting smell!

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

Sunrise with fog on Tuesday morning near the river in Fort Dodge, Iowa, made a beautiful picture.

 

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

The end of planting corn is in sight. Several Central Iowa farmers finished corn last Thursday and Friday. A few farmers went straight from planting corn to soybeans, but the majority switched the planter over but are waiting for the cool rain to pass. Temperatures dropped Saturday as rain moved into the area. Some areas had received 1.25 inches as of Monday. Wet soils will keep farmers out of the field most of this week. Stay safe on the county roads because they’re a mess!

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Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

Planting conditions are very favorable, especially in the north and in the west. Even where it has been very wet this spring, tillage is underway. Farmers and those working in agribusiness are extremely busy. Lots of equipment is moving, so it’s imperative that we all stay aware and vigilant during these next few weeks. Let’s all have a wonderful, safe spring!

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

Some areas are still too wet to get in the field, but a few planters are rolling. Soil conditions will remain colder than normal for sometime yet, so planting depth is critical for even emergence. Seed treatments, which protect seeds during germination and through their early growth stages, are even more important on years like this.

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Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

This past week the sun came out, temperatures rose, and the snow melted. All that good news means more flooded rivers. Pictured here is the James River near Huron, South Dakota. You can see this river is flowing outside its banks and into a field of corn stalks. Fortunately, the forecast calls for sun and wind with a few slight chances of rain. We’re hopeful fields will begin to dry out, so machines can start moving.

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Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

The picture was taken Monday near Appleton, Minnesota, which is about 150 miles south of Fargo, North Dakota. This is very typical site on farms throughout my region. We’re eagerly waiting for the snow to disappear from the tree claims, rivers to recede, and soils to dry, so planting may begin.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

More than an inch of rain fell the past week in many parts of southern Minnesota, so field work is still at a standstill. Also during the past week, soil temps have gradually increased University of Research station in Lamberton. Depending whether we receive the precipitation that’s in this weekend’s forecast, we may see some activity in fields early next week.

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Northern Wisconsin 

Joe Salter

The past few weeks have been interesting in Northern Wisconsin from blowing and drifting snow to flash flood warnings followed by more rain and more flash flooding. Last week we finally caught a break in the weather with sunshine and temps in the 60s. Although we are not planting yet, we are moving in the right direction.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

Planters started rolling last weekend in Southern Wisconsin.  While the soil temps are still below where we would like to see them, it is getting warmer by the day. The soil worked up nicely and is creating a nice seed bed for the corn that’s going in the ground.  With this nice weather we’re experiencing, farmers are running and gunning. Remember to take time to check planted spacing and depth, especially when switching fields. We want that corn seed 2” in the ground for adequate moisture and plant health.

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North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

Ground temperature at the 4-inch level at 7:00 am on April 23 was 43° F. To increase your chances for even emergence, wait to plant until the soil temperature is 50. Also delay tilling and planting until the soil is dry to minimize compaction.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

Anhydrous was applied over the weekend to this customer’s field in Mitchell County (Iowa). Quite a few fields got worked before the rain came on Monday. Soil temps in Northern Iowa yesterday were 50 degrees at 5 inches deep, but soils are still a little mucky to be planting. We could see planters rolling later in this week. It pays to have patience. Set up your crop to reach its full potential by waiting for soils to dry.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

Seed is going out the door in Northwest Iowa! We’re hoping to miss some rain, so we can plant.

Lots of fertilizer is being applied this spring due since wet fall weather prohibited much fertilizer from getting spread. While we wait for this to get done now, it gives us time to focus on getting the planter field-ready. The planter pass is where it all begins. If we don’t get it right at the planter, the rest of the things we do throughout the growing season won’t be as effective.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Rain in the north slowed down field work and planting. Customers south of interstate are planting full speed ahead.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

Planting is in full swing near Emerson, Nebraska, where this field is being planted to LH 6285 VT2 PRO RIB. Corn planting is about 25% done; and soybean planting also is underway.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

This warehouse in Goldfield, Iowa, is fully stocked with Latham® soybeans that will soon be planted.

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Eastern North Dakota

Brain McNamee

Seed is packaged and prepped for delivery. No year is truly the same in this business, but I can honestly say that 2019 has been the most uncertain. I still cannot believe the amount of acres across this region that still are in flux.

It looks like it will be one of those oddball years when the northern zone goes to the field weeks before the south. The hardcore no-till farmers in the western part of the state are rolling on peas and small grains. Rain in the short-term forecast will mellow everything and should make ideal planting conditions.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

While the calendar wants us to plant, Mother Nature is asking us to be patient. Use this time to ensure all equipment is ready. Make a plan, so you can be as efficient as possible when the soil conditions are fit for us to get into the field. Everyone will be busy, but safety should come first.

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Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

The start of a new crop year has not yet brought us spring weather! Many areas in Northeast South Dakota (NESD) received two feet of snow during the past week; Wallace, SD received 30 inches. Snowfall totals this year reached over 80 inches, which is prolonging planting. There’s no need to rush to earlier maturities as there is still plenty of time to plant your full maturities. The weather pattern looks to be drier and warmer, so get those planters ready to go!

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

This photo was taken April 11 in Carthage, SD.

The calendar says it’s spring, but Mother Nature reminded us who’s running the show. Last week much of South Dakota was blanketed by snow, ice, and rain. Some areas received as much as 24 inches of snow while others dealt with ice and strong winds that knocked out power for days. With warmer temps and rain forecast for this week, hopefully much of the snow will melt by Monday. Unfortunately, that means there will be flood waters. Many areas were flooded before the storm, so people there will continue to deal with more water as the snow melt flows south. However, 50-degree temps have planters pulled up to shops and getting serviced. We will be ready when the time comes!

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Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

This picture was taken at Riverton Seed near Glyndon, Minnesota, where the Johnsons are busy moving and calibrating their seed treatment equipment. Cool, wet soil conditions at planting time increase the likelihood of seedling diseases. When seed lies in these soils for longer periods of time, there’s more time for the pathogens to attack the plant. Growers should consider starting with a solid seed treatment to help seedlings emerge as quickly as possible.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

Soil temps are hanging around that 40-degree mark after 8 to 10 inches of snow fell five days ago in Redwood and Renville Counties. Planters remain in the shed, waiting for fit conditions to plant Latham® seed.

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Northern Wisconsin 

Joe Salter

It could be a few weeks before planters roll as Northern Wisconsin is still blanketed with snow. Last week we received more than one foot of snow. With that snow storm, we set a new snow total record of 98.9 inches.  I was hoping for another inch and half to break the 100″ mark!

These photos give you an idea of the challenges we faced cleaning up from last week’s storm. Drifts were as high as 7 feet. The first picture is my driveway; look closely and you’ll see a plow truck about half way up the lane. The second photo is what’s left of a machine shed after the roof caved. Several hundred farmers in this area experienced the loss of a shed, machine shop or barn.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

Depending on what Wednesday’s forecast brings, we might be able to turn planters loose on Monday in southern Wisconsin.  As the weather turns for the better, Latham® dealers are busy getting seed delivered and doing their final planter inspections before they hit the fields. This John Deere 1750 planter is in the shop, getting upgraded to a Precision SeedSense 20/20 monitor and Climate Fieldview.

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North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

Cover crops are starting to grow now that we’ve experienced some warmer temps in North Central Iowa.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

This farmer in Black Hawk County applied anhydrous this week. The soil temp is around 45 degrees in Black Hawk and surrounding counties, but soil temperatures aren’t that warm yet in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. With rain in the forecast this week, it should get the rest of the frost out of the ground. I expect to see tillage underway and anhydrous going on next week in the more northern part of my territory.

Northwest Iowa

Darin Chapman

With plenty of moisture and a few days of sunshine, this field of Latham® cereal rye and Daikon Radish is coming along nicely. This grower has been using a cover crop program for six years credits this practice for his increasing soybean yields.

 

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Field work is underway in Eastern Iowa. Anhydrous is being applied, and Latham® seed is being delivered.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

These photos help show why Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for 21 counties in response to flooding and severe weather that began March 13 and continues. Here you can see some of the residue left in the fields after flood waters receded.

It’s common to see roads closed after flood waters wreaked havoc in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska.

Controlled burns were used to remove corn stalks and soybean after the flood waters receded. These photos show corn stalks and soybean stubble burning.

Grain bins collapsed when grain swelled during the flood.

Now that cleanup is done, field work has begun! We’re grateful for sunshine and warm temperatures.

 

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

Latham Dealer Jenna Ricklefs and her husband, Jon, on April 16 started planting corn north of Rolfe in West Central Iowa. The first number that went in the ground was Latham’s LH 6175 VT2 PRO.

Central Iowa

Bryan Rohe

Temperatures have been in the high 60s and low 70s across Central Iowa, so farmers have been busy. This week they have put on anhydrous, done some tillage and a little spraying. Planting even got underway, although it may come to a halt soon as rain is in the forecast for the rest of this week.

 

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