For soybean growers across Latham Country, 2024 looks promising. Not only is Latham offering the strongest portfolio in history, but soybean acres are also projected to increase. This offers growers the opportunity to plant high-quality Latham soybeans on more acres than in previous years. In early November of 2023, the USDA projected growers would plant 87 million acres to soybeans in 2024, up 3.4 million acres from 2023. Corn plantings would fall to 91 million acres, down 3.9 million acres, according to the USDA. This is in part due to better-than-expected corn yields in 2023 and an increase in soy demand fueled by the Renewable Fuels Act.
One way Latham Seeds is helping growers maximize production is through the release of high performing Peking source soybean varieties. Soybean Cyst Nematodes (SCN) damage often goes undetected or misdiagnosed. Stunted plants and uneven canopies are often obvious symptoms of SCN feeding. Chlorotic-looking plants is another common symptom of SCN damage and is often misdiagnosed with Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC). Yield reductions of up to 40% on susceptible varieties are not uncommon without any above-ground visible symptoms of nematode damage. Fall is the best time to sample for SCN numbers, but sampling can be done anytime the ground is not frozen. More than 95% of SCN populations have elevated reproduction on PI 88788. Planting Peking source SCN varieties is more important than ever with these types of numbers.
Another way Latham Seeds is helping growers maximize yields is through seed treatments. SoyShield Plus with Saltro provides industry-leading protection against SCN and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). SoyShield Plus with Saltro is also highly effective against Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium. Getting your soybeans off to a good start is key to maximizing soybean yields — and seed treatments are the best insurance for making this happen. The combination of Latham Peking source SCN varieties and SoyShield Plus with Saltro will give 2024 a strong start and help the season end with a bang.
Latham is expanding our list of Peking varieties for 2024 planting by adding three new varieties to the list. Peking varieties are offered from an early group 1 to mid-group 3. These varieties compliment an already strong portfolio of PI88788 source varieties to offer one of the most diverse portfolios in the industry. Here is a small sample of what you can expect from the Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds soybean lineup:
L 0254 XF (0.2 RM) – 103% of trial mean
L 1121 E3 (Peking SCN, 1.1 RM) – #1 in the late group 0, early group 1 trial at a whopping 108% of trial mean
L 1881 E3 (Peking SCN, 1.8 RM) – 1 bu > P18A73E in Showcase data
L 2551 E3 (Peking SCN, 2.5 RM) –
Showcase Data
3.5 bu > AG24XF3
5.5 bu > P23A40E
3.1 bu > P25A16E
L 3123 E3 (3.1 RM) –
Showcase Data
Equal to AG30XF4
5.5 bu > P28A65
L 3384 XF (3.3 RM) – #1 in the full season trial at 106% of trial mean
Contact your local Latham representative to find out more information about these and other top-performing Latham products or call 1.877.GO.LATHAM.