By Amber Hammes, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Intern
You could say Megan Lien, summer intern for the Iowa Food and Family Project, grew up around three things the IFFP holds most dear: Farming, Family and Food. (more…)
By Amber Hammes, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Intern
You could say Megan Lien, summer intern for the Iowa Food and Family Project, grew up around three things the IFFP holds most dear: Farming, Family and Food. (more…)
Thanks for tuning into Week Seven of our “Ask the Agronomist” Audiocasts. To listen to Mark’s response to questions about Latham’s Seed-2-Soil program, play the audio file below.
Q: What are we seeing out in the fields this week, especially with the wet conditions we’ve had this season?
A: We’re starting to see a lot of yellow corn show up and most corn is at the point where it’s starting the rapid growth phase where deficiencies are beginning to appear in the plants. Soils remained wet for an extended period of time and corn that’s yellow is stunted. It’s hard to tell what the cause is of some issues that are appearing. These issues could be caused by water stress or roots not being able to reach the Nitrogen. I believe a lot of it is due to the excess water and compaction issues, but some could be from lack of Nitrogen supply.
Q: Is there anything we can do to remedy the situation?
A: Light cultivation can help aerate the root zones that are having compacted soil problems from the rain. Side dressing with Nitrogen can help as well. With most corn entering into the rapid growth phase, now is the time to get the plant growing. Controlled release Nitrogen applications and in-season fungicide applications can be combined to create an overall fertility plan. We’re not suggesting that this is a good substitute for a soil-applied fertility program, but if you’re facing a Nitrogen-deficiency situation and you’re applying a fungicide it makes sense to combine them both. This is where the Latham Seed-2-Soil° program comes into play.
Q: What is the Latham Seed-2-Soil° program?
A: Seed-2-Soil is Latham’s trademark system of agronomic tools designed to help simplify crop planning and seed selection. Growers choose their desired level of involvement, and we help them maximize a particular field’s yield potential by helping them focus on four key areas offered through Seed-2-Soil:
Best of all, farmers own all data that is generated by the Seed-2-Soil program. Anything that’s given to them is theirs and theirs alone.
Q: Can you break down those four components, one-by-one?
A: Crop Planning. There is more to picking out seed than maturity and trait packages. This is why Latham works with farmers to understand each individual’s management style, equipment capability and practices. We pair that information with our genetic and yield research for each product that we have. The result is a tailored crop plan with accurate product placement to decrease risk, increase profits and save time.
Q: How do you provide farmers with that agronomic information through the Seed-2-Soil program?
A: The best way is The Field Position blog that is updated every week day. Each Wednesday it is updated with region-specific crop reports from across our six-state territory. Thursday’s we provide agronomic tips and information like how to take stand-counts or scout for pests. On our website farmers can find companion product recommendations, yield data and technology updates for every product in the Latham Line-Up.
Q: Seed treatment is another component, and in recent years it’s become a hot topic in the industry. Why is that?
A: Some farmers have been hesitant about spending extra money on seed treatments, especially this spring when we were expecting a dry spring. When it turned out to be wet and cool, the farmers who did invest in seed treatments were very glad their crops had extra protection. Research shows that seed treatment is the best defense against disease. Choose a treatment like Latham’s SoyShield fungicide or SoyShield Plus that is a fungicide-insecticide combination to help protect early-planted seed against the unexpected.
Q: Nutrient Management is another topic in the Seed-2-Soil program. Can you discuss that with us?
A: Nutrient Management has been getting a lot of attention lately, and with good reason. Research shows that fertility programs influence plant performance and yield by as much as 60%. Most farmers are already on a good pathway to production, but with a little fine-tuning we can help them continue to refine the process. Think of nutrient management as a car tire. A car can run on a low tire, but it doesn’t run as efficiently as it could.
If you have a question about what you’re seeing in the fields, feel free to ask! Send your questions via Twitter to @LathamSeeds, in a private message on Facebook or call our office at 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).
Also be sure to check out TheFieldPosition.com for timely agronomic information. New articles are posted each week day on our blog. You can even search for “topics” by simply typing key words into the search bar on the upper right-hand corner.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Ask the Agronomist. We’ll be back again next week to field all of your questions during the 2016 growing season.
Recently, I’ve been addressing common questions people have about Prestage Farms and the new packing plant this company is considering to build in North Iowa. I believe Prestage is a great fit in my home county of Franklin! Last week I wrote about family farms versus “factory farms.” Two weeks ago I covered pig poop and why it’s a valuable resource.
This week I’d like to talk about “animal welfare.” There is a distinct difference between treating animals humanely and humanly. In the past, I’ve described how modern pig farms are not Old McDonald’s Farm. Many positive changes have occurred since the 1950’s and 60’s, yet many Americans have almost a romantic notion about “the good ol’ days.”
Those of us who “live farming” can see how technology has led to improved production systems that are better for the environment and for the animals. Those who grew up on a farm but moved away years ago – or those who are three generations removed from the farm – may need a comparison. Here’s an analogy that may help…
Imagine you’re enjoying a beautiful spring day with blue skies, bright sunshine, gentle breezes and a high between 72 and 75 degrees. (We’ve experienced this recently, so it’s not too hard to image, right?) Now think of a day when you can’t buy a breeze, and the sun is so scorching hot it feels as though you could fry an egg on the sidewalk! Contrast this to the discomfort you feel when the north wind is gusting at 30 miles an hour, the mercury is dipping below zero and your eyelashes freeze in the few minutes it takes you to walk across a parking lot.
Iowa weather can be extreme. Our summers can get miserably hot, and the winters can be bitterly cold. When we raised pigs on pasture, they were miserable and so was I! Some people think it’s better for pigs to remain outside than it is to stay cool inside a climate-controlled pig barn.
There’s no way I’d trade a modern barn for pig huts on pasture. I’m often reminded of how much better today’s production methods are. For example, last week I was called to adjust some air ventilators inside a gestation barn. It was 95 degrees outside, but inside this stall gestation barn it was 79 degrees! I couldn’t help but notice the contented sows. Many were sleeping comfortably, and a few woke up and curiously checked me out as I worked to adjust new ceiling vents.
These vents prevent warm air from coming inside. When it’s warm outside, fresh air is pulled through “cool cells” to keep the inside temperatures consistent. One end of the building is lined with specially treated corrugated cardboard that has water continuously soaking it. The fresh air comes in through the corrugations, which cools the air down about 20 degrees!
Modern pig barns are a good place for people to work and a good place for pigs to live. Farmers make their animals as comfortable as possible. They provide their livestock with fresh food, fresh air, and fresh water. Livestock should be treated with respect and receive the best care a farmer can give them. After all, it’s the right thing to do!
We must also keep in mind that the animals we raise are livestock. Since the beginning of time, people have had dominion over animals. This means humans have the reasoning power to make life and death decisions for our livestock. We give our livestock the best quality of life that we can, and then we respect them in death because their purpose is to feed our growing population. I have blogged in the past about how developing nations increase their meat consumption as their economy improves. When an emerging economy wants to improve its diet, the country’s ruler doesn’t say “let’s eat vegan!” The people in these countries want the best protein they can afford, and that protein is meat.
Meat production facilities and a new processing plant can help grow our locally economy, as well as the Iowa economy. This is Iowa, folks, and we grow pigs here! We have great resources that makes agriculture – and pork production – a great fit here.
Farming has been a great means of growing the economy since the beginning of time! Our towns, our schools, our Main Street businesses need a growing economy. Let’s welcome new industry! Sure, there are always growing pains but we can overcome any challenges… together!
Latham’s Freedom of Independence Ride to Benefit Retrieving Freedom Inc.
The excitement of adventure and the freedom of the open road has prompted hundreds of Midwest farmers to join the Latham Freedom Ride in the past. This year we’re hoping to spark even more interest among motorcycle enthusiasts as we ride throughout eastern Iowa, raising awareness of Retrieving Freedom (RFI) and funds for its service dog training program.
One hundred percent of a rider’s $25 registration fees for the 2016 Latham Freedom of Independence Ride will benefit RFI. The $25 per rider registration fee includes two meals plus a commemorative t-shirt and a do-rag. The event will conclude that evening with a performance by Nashville recording artist Neil Hewitt.
Staging for the 2016 Latham Freedom of Independence Ride will be at Scott County Park near Davenport, Iowa. Lunch will be served followed by a series of fun stops as we learn about the latest in seed industry technologies and tour local attractions. Riders can look forward to stops at Antique Archaeology, home base for Mike Wolfe of American Pickers reality television series, and a guest appearance by Retrieving Freedom dogs in training.
Retrieving Freedom Inc. of Waverly, Iowa, trains service dogs for placement with disabled veterans and children with autism. The organization receives 4 requests for every dog that has been trained through its program, so more money is needed to train more dogs, says Scott Dewey, RFI co-founder and co-president.
Retrieving Freedom spends two years training specific dogs to place with disabled veterans and individuals with autism. As a 501c (3) non-profit organization, Dewey says RFI strives to maximize the value of each donation by incorporating experienced volunteers, in-kind donations, and a limited staff.
“Trained service dogs allow veterans and children to regain their independence from simply sustaining in life to thriving,” says Dewey. “This is why we hope many farmers, who enjoy riding motorcycles, will join Latham Seeds on R.E.D. Shirt Friday to become part of this amazing journey.”
Help us “Remember Everyone Deployed” and show support for those who have proudly served our country, defending our freedoms. Register today for the 2016 Latham Freedom of Independence Ride.
To get a feel for the Latham Freedom Ride, check out the following coverage of our past rides:
by Amber Hammes, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Intern
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, women make up approximately 30% of all farmers in the United States. However, #FarmHers are sometimes an overlooked demographic. Kellie Gregorich, an eastern Iowa cattle producer, is doing everything she can to ensure that doesn’t continue. (more…)
Soybean Product Manager, Mark Grundmeier, responds to frequently asked questions about post-emergence herbicide application and weed management.
Q: What tips do you have for farmers who are applying post-emerge herbicides?
A: Early season weed control is very important so that the crop can become well-established, but remember that haste makes waste! Double-check what type of seed you planted. Farmers today have a lot of options for seed products, from products that are resistant to either Roundup or Liberty to those that are resistant to both. It’s not uncommon to receive a call from someone who sprayed either Roundup on Liberty soybeans or Liberty herbicide on Roundup corn. No one likes to be out time or money, so just take an extra minute or two to double-check which traited products you have planted in each field before herbicide is applied.
Q: What weeds are you seeing in the fields right now?
A: We’re seeing a lot of water hemp, pigweed, as well as some winter annuals like marestail. In no-till fields we’re seeing a lot dandelions. Of course there’s always going to be the grasses like foxtail and large broad-leaf weeds showing up. It’s that time of year to get out in your fields and take a look for weeds!
Q: It seems like each year it gets harder and harder to control weeds; are there any steps farmers can take that will help?
A: There are 5 small steps farmers can take that will provide giant relief for weed control:
Q: How are farmers preventing herbicide resistance?
A: Rotating between herbicide traits is very important when fighting weed resistance. Especially with the newer traits becoming commercially available, especially in soybeans, we as a farming community need to be good stewards when handling this new technology.
Q: Is rotating crops a need or a benefit?
A: It’s best to be proactive in managing herbicide resistance before it becomes a problem. Rotating crops is a huge part of that, so is rotating the traits we’re using. We need to know what herbicides we’re using for what they do and don’t control, and what restrictions exist. Also be aware of the potential for crop injury. We have to get weeds out of fields before they get too large.
Q: How often do we need to be scouting?
A: Scouting should start right after emergence. Now is a great time to start monitoring fields weekly throughout the growing season for the most effective weed management practices. Be sure to take notes of what weeds are prevalent and where so that more informed decisions can be made for the 2017 growing season. Taking notes is critical.
If you have a question about what you’re seeing in the fields, feel free to ask! Send your questions via Twitter to @LathamSeeds, in a private message on Facebook or call our office at 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).
Writer’s block has never been one of my problems! There are so many things I want to write about that my mind is having a hard time focusing on just one issue. Here’s why…
Today in Iowa is an Election Day. Get to the polls and vote! In our county, we have a primary for board of supervisors. Members of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors plan, finance and deliver services related to public safety, public health, human services, drainage, secondary roads, conservation, economic development and administration. Many of these services affect farmers, so you can be sure I’m interested in the outcome of this race!
Also this week in Des Moines is World Pork Expo! Each year 20,000 pork producers and professionals attend this event on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, so it’s no wonder this event is attended by U.S. secretaries of agriculture, governors, presidential candidates, United States Department of Agriculture officials, trade ambassadors, as well as government dignitaries from the U.S. and other countries. There are many educational presentations and new product demonstrations throughout the 3-day event. In addition to visiting with producers, one highlight for me is the The Big Grill. Can you believe more than 10,000 pork sandwiches are served here during this annual event?
Yesterday I was in Greater Des Moines as Cristen Clark and I were again invited to share our stories with the newest Pork Institute Class at the National Pork Board offices. One of the topics that came up during our training session was the debate about building a pork processing facility in North Iowa. It seems many folks in North Iowa are like the friends of the Little Red Hen. Remember that classic children’s story about the Little Hen who needs help planting wheat, tending to the crop, harvesting it and then baking bread? No one wanted to do the work but everyone wanted to enjoy the delicious loaf of bread.
Bacon Mania has stuck America, but very few folks are willing to allow pork production in their backyard! Although Prestage Farms was considering Mason City as the location of a new processing facility, some Clear Lake residents joined the protest against it. “Say ‘No’ to Factory Farms” and “Preserve Water Quality,” were common messages by the opposition. The term “factory farm” was coined to discredit modern farming, and I have yet to have anyone give me a good definition for it.
How one defines “factory farming” or “modern farming” seems to be similar to the term “sustainable” in that it’s meaning depends on who’s using it and what their special interests are. The definition changes based on a person’s experience and/or perceptions about farming.
Let me share what my perception of family and farming are. Although everyone has a family, we know that not all families are the same. Some farm families have a hard time differentiating “family” from “farming” because their farming operation is a family-run business. It’s so much of who they are and what they do that the two are intertwined, but let’s separate the two for now.
All businesses, big and small, are run by people with families. I’m working with a pig producing family that started on a “family farm” in Minnesota. This farm has been successful enough to grow, so it now involves many families, including mine. Does this make my employer a factory farm? No! I have been very impressed with how this farm family cares about all aspects of their farming operation, including the families who make a living by working on this farm. We want all to have a sense of family, raising pigs in the best most modern way possible!
More than 90 percent of U.S. farms are family farms. I see farms every day. I live right in the middle of great farm country. We have been blessed with abundant natural resources to grow crops and livestock in a very “sustainable” way.
That’s why I’m involved with helping Prestage Farms find the ideal place to locate its plant. I believe welcoming new ideas will help North Iowa prosper. Last week I blogged about how I believe a Prestage facility can breathe new life into rural communities. In particular, locating in Franklin County would be a win-win for the company and for my home county! The economic potential is vast. The benefit to our local schools and down town businesses – which are run by “families” – is vast.
Let’s grasp opportunities and stop outside agitators from spreading fear in our communities. Take the time to understand the benefits of modern farming including benefits to our families, the environment, and yes, even our livestock. If you have questions, or doubts, see for yourself!
Talk to a farmer. See firsthand how farming is being done. And remember to vote!
Three Iowa State University (ISU) students have joined Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds as interns for sales and marketing. Their first day on the job was May 10, and it’s been all hands on deck ever since! Our two summer sales interns have been busy assisting with planting research and show plots in Alexander. Meanwhile, our marketing intern has been conducting interviews and writing blogs. (more…)
Thanks for tuning into Week Five of our “Ask the Agronomist” Audiocasts. To listen to Mark’s response to this week’s question about replanting corn, play the audio file below.
Q: How late can I replant when I’m replanting my corn?
A: Deciding whether or not to replant is never an easy decision. The cost of replanting is often the deciding factor. Many seed companies, like Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, have shorter maturity hybrids available.
There are several key factors that can determine a field’s overall yield potential. Iowa State University Extension has a publication called the Replant Checklist that will help you estimate the surviving plant stands, as well as estimate the yield based on planting dates and expected yield you could get.
Estimating Yield Potential for a Replant
If you have corn planted between May 25 and June 5, you can expect 65 to 70% of overall yield potential for that field. However, if the corn was planted more towards the middle of June, overall yield expectations go down to about 50% of normal yield.
If a farmer decides to replant, make sure the fields are dry enough. There are still advantages to planting corn in the middle of June in certain areas, but each individual will have to define his/her own yield expectations. If corn is planted at the end of May, yield can be up to 65 to 70% of normal yield. If your field average is around 200 bushels per acre, you can expect to get 130 to 140 bushels per acre.
Replanting Corn or Switching to Soybeans
There are definitely situations where replanting is a no-brainer, such as small areas of a field that were drowned out or damaged by insects. When an entire field of corn is lost, it might be best in this stage of the planting season to replace the corn with soybeans. However, take into consideration what herbicides have been applied to the field so that your soybeans don’t die.
There is certainly still time to receive good yields with soybeans. Most of the time in late May, we can achieve soybean yields of 85 to 90% of typical yields. June 20 to 25 is a target date for switching soybean maturities, depending on location. Soybeans can be planted into the beginning of July and still achieve decent yields.
If you have a question about what you’re seeing in the fields, feel free to ask! Send your questions via Twitter to @LathamSeeds, in a private message on Facebook or call our office at 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).
As always, you can access timely agronomic tips and information for your geographic location on TheFieldPosition.com. New articles are posted each week day on our blog. You can even search for “topics” by simply typing key words into the search bar on the upper right-hand corner.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Ask the Agronomist. We’ll be back again next week to field all of your questions during the 2016 growing season.
The month of May is like a set of bookends about Prestage Farms making a bid to build a pork processing facility in North Iowa. In my first blog of the month, I talked about how new businesses could make North Iowa prosper. Protesters, however, swayed the city council’s vote in Mason City and Prestage Farms was sent packing. In a turn of events, now my home county is reaching out to Prestage Farms. That’s why my last blog of this month will give reasons why I believe building a new pork processing facility in Franklin County is a win-win situation.
Here are a few of the reasons why Franklin County is a good fit for Prestage Farms:
Those who opposed Prestage Farms building in Mason City raised concerns about air quality and water supply. Today I plan to provide “the other side of the story” as it relates to each of these topics. I also want to reiterate the positive impact Prestage Farms could have on economic development.
Air Quality
This plant will be more advanced than any in the world. New technologies will negate odors from the livestock barn and rendering facilities. Vegetative buffers will further reduce potential concerns. The holding pond for wastewater treatment will be covered, and the methane captured will be utilized as an energy source. Wastewater treatment and rendering will use the latest technology available for further remediation and conditioning prior to emission.
Water Supply
The County will work closely with the Iowa DNR (Department of Natural Resources) and company engineers to determine waste flows from the plant. The company will pre-treat all water leaving the facility, so nothing harmful will be released into the area watershed. It’s my understanding that testing is required daily to meet local and state regulations.
Economic Development
It was estimated that the Prestage pork project would have an economic impact of $750 million on the region through population growth and spending at local businesses. During the Mason City hearings, it was reported that Prestage would create 922 full-time jobs averaging $15.70/hour plus overtime and full benefits. The lowest paid Prestage employees are expected to make $39,208 annually plus benefits estimated at $12,236,722:
Stop the Spread of Fear
“It’s becoming mainstream in our culture to petition against something we don’t understand. People have preconceived notions – most of which aren’t even true – and that propagates fear. Fear kills job,” said Reg Morton of Mort’s L.L.C. “For those who operate on fear, I have explained the two options: (1) Fill your towns with people who are working and bringing income into the community; or (2) Let the houses stand empty until someone unemployed and on entitlements moves in.”
“Prestage Farms is an opportunity… we really need to take a strong look at this,” encourages Reg. “There will be positives and negatives that must be considered, but one thing is for sure, our communities need people with jobs in order to remain healthy and vibrant.”
Anti-farm groups had everyone in North Iowa worked in to a tizzy. Myths have half-truths spread faster than wildfire, so in last week’s blog I addressed one of their concerns about nutrient waste management. Not only can pig poop be managed, it can fuel our economy here.
“Agriculture is what fuels us,” said Mason City Mayor Eric Bookmeyer. It fascinates me that we’re willing to stick our nose up… I wonder where we’re at that we are considering not participating in the largest industry in Iowa.” (Click here to watch the rest of his emotional testimony.)
Franklin County has an opportunity to not only participate – but to embrace – agriculture as economic development. We have room for Prestage Farms, and Prestage Farm can help bring new life (literally) to our local communities. Win-win.