Latham® Seed Dealership Complements Beef and Crop Operation

Latham brand soybeans were top performers year after year for Albertsen Farms. When their local retail supplier went out of business in the 1990s, however, they switched to another brand. Then last winter Mike was researching LibertyLink® soybeans and came across Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

Selling seed is a good complement to farming, says Mike. It allows him to earn additional income to complete projects like adding on to the shop or buying more cattle.

The Albertsens raise registered Hereford and Black Angus, which they also cross to produce black and white commercial club calves. They have 60 cow-calf pairs but would like to double that because both of their girls are interested in 4-H Beef Projects. Mike and his wife, Krystal, are the proud parents of two daughters. Gracye is 14 and Sienna is 10.

“Our girls have learned so much about feeding the calves, and they both enjoy showing cattle at the fair” says Krystal. “Sienna got to show one of our calves that lost its mother as a bottle bucket calf (shown in picture) last year at the fair. This year she will get to show it as a Market Steer. It’s been a neat learning experience for her to be involved with the whole process of seeing this calf born, raising it on a bottle and now feeding it out.”

In addition to 4-H, the girls are extremely active. Gracye is involved in volleyball, basketball, track, softball, golf, band and church youth group. Sienna is involved with softball, basketball and church kids’ choir.

During the spring planting season and softball season, the Albertsens don’t have much time to spend cooking. That’s why Krystal appreciates quick and easy recipes that taste good, too. She says one of family’s favorites is the homemade Pizza Ring, which Krystal adapted from the blog Kiss My Apron.