Labor Day is an annual celebration of American laborers – the people who truly keep our country moving. At Latham Seeds, we know farmers are the stewards of agriculture. Yes, they help feed the world. But they also help clothe us. They strengthen our global economy. They partner with Mother Nature in a way that’s not for the faint of heart.
We understand the work that goes in to everything they do. Every. Single. Day.
Saluting farmers is something family-owned Latham Seeds has done ever since Willard Latham started the company back in 1947. And as we celebrate our 75th anniversary this year, we’re especially proud to tip our hat to the laborers of agriculture. The stewards of our world.
Harvest Corn Silage at Optimal Milkline to Add to Your Bottom Line
Corn silage season is approaching quickly, so it’s a good time to review basics like how to determine when to harvest.
As the kernel matures from the dented cap, the milkline moves toward the kernel tip where it attaches to the cob. Harvesting at 50% milkline generally achieves approximately 65% whole-plant moisture. Optimal harvest for bunks/bags is 65 to 70% whole-plant moisture, or one-half to one-fourth milkline. Optimal harvest for stave upright silos is 63 to 65% whole-plant moisture, or three-fourths to one-half milkline.
Think of the kernel as a sponge. As the milkline develops, the kernel absorbs more moisture from the chopped residue. If you harvest silage corn that is too wet, juicing can occur. Inadequate fermentation and mold development also may result. It is advantageous to do a formal moisture check using a koster crop tester, for example.
One of the biggest drivers for milkline development is weather. Moisture, fertility, heat and plant health are four big drivers affecting milk line movement. When the plant is at full photosynthetic capacity, the corn silage whole-plant moisture can decline daily from 0.5 to one percent. Photosynthetic activity slows when the weather is cold, wet or cloudy, causing the corn plant to mature slower. Look at the forecast as harvest approaches because many changes can occur in five days.
Another way to improve the quality of corn silage is by raising the chopping height as most lignin accumulates in the lower portion of the stalk. Lignin is the structural component that helps plants stand. It’s a tradeoff to find the correct cutting height to maximize forage quality and to capture the most tonnage.
Some forage producers increase cutting height to help reduce moisture, so they can get started earlier. Raising the chop height 12 inches in a Penn State study left about 0.6 ton in the field but forage quality improved. Improved quality produces more milk for dairy farmers!
Changes to Soybean Research Program a Resounding Success!
Latham Soybean Research Plot
I’m pleased to inform you that the changes we made to our soybean research program were a resounding success! The decision to hire other companies to plant and harvest our Latham Elite trials allowed our Product Team members to observe and take notes at a greater number of locations and across a wider geographic area. In previous years, our own crew could only plant and harvest 11 or 12 locations in Iowa and southern Minnesota. We would then hire another company to do the same at about five or six locations in northern Minnesota and North Dakota. This year we were able to plant and harvest 33 locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota!
Latham Seeds’ Product Team will evaluate the yield data and correlate notes taken to see which products are a good fit for Latham Country. During that same time, Latham’s Regional Sales Managers (RSMs) and Dealers will be surveyed to determine what products are needed based on input they receive from our customers. Then, and only then, will new products be added to our 2023 lineup.
Once we identify products from the Elite Trials that meet Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ standards and fulfill our customers’ needs, we release them for sale. We also place these new products in our Latham Showcase plots, as well as in the independent F.I.R.S.T. Trials program, to again showcase the performance of these new products and to provide opportunities for our customers to gain confidence in their performance.
Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager
It has been my great honor and pleasure working for the Latham family for more than 25 years – first, as an agronomist, then as Soybean Product Manager and, for a dozen or so years as overall Product Manager. When Bill and Don Latham hired me in 1996, I had high hopes this would eventually lead to this being my dream job. I was looking for an opportunity to work in Research and Product Development. It certainly was everything I had hoped it would be. I can honestly say that I’ve never regretted the decision – not even once!
Along the way, I’ve met farmers, dealers, sales personnel, fellow employees and colleagues from numerous areas. I am proud to call many of you my friends. I’d like to thank the Latham family for placing their trust in me. I especially want to thank John, Shannon and Chris for allowing me to “spread my wings,” so I could be more involved in all of the products we handle. As for the future, I know that I’m leaving the company in the best of hands.
This is the final article I will write for TECHtalk as I am retiring at the end of 2021. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family, traveling and pursuing some hobbies that I’ve put on hold for a few years. I wish you all the best as you continue to work in this great business of agriculture. May God richly bless you always!
As we were conducting our pre-harvest field inspections, many production growers said they’d be happy with 40-bushel yields due to the early cold spell followed by drought. I’m happy to report that most of our growers’ yields were in the mid-50s to the mid-60s, and some even saw yields of 70 bushels per acre (bu/A) or more!
It seems that a few timely rains in August made the difference between having a decent crop and having a poor one. Below are raw yield results from some soybean Latham® Showcase plots and Latham Elite trials harvested this fall:
Near Chatfield, Minn., Latham® L 2193 E3 yielded an outstanding 107.8 bu/A, and L 2049 E3 was right there with 95.7 bu/A!
Near Sac City, Iowa, L 2283 XF brought in 84.39 bu/A and L 2184 R2X was a close second with 82.87 bu/A.
Near Oskaloosa, Iowa, L 3448 R2X produced 83.52 bu/A, barely nudging out L 3479 E3 at 83.26 bu/A.
Near Lu Verne, IA, L 2049 E3 topped a plot with 81.89 bu/A and L 2379 E3 came in at 79.79 bu/A.
Near Albert City, Iowa, L 2458 E3 yielded 91.94 bu/A and L 1648 LLGT27 came in at 81.49 bu/A.
Near Vernon Center, Minn., L 1758 E3 scored 75.15 bu/A and L 1769 R2X came in at 73.21 bu/A.
Near Renville, Minn., L 1758 E3 scored 75.06 bu/A while L 2049 E3 was very close with 73.11 bu/A.
Near Clarence, Iowa, L 3192 E3 produced 120.12 bu/A and L 2894 E3 yielded 110.85!
Mantador, ND, caught some much-needed rain late in the season. At that location, L 1094 E3 produced 79.19 bu/A and L 0739 R2X yielded 65.19 bu/A.
Keep checking lathamseeds.com for updated yield results from plots around Latham Country.
#AskTheAgronomist: Fertility and pH Management in Reduced-Till Scenarios
In this week’s Ask the Agronomist, Precision Agronomy Advisor Phil Long discusses fertility and pH management challenges that can present in continuous reduced-till scenarios. He also offers some tips on how to get a more accurate read from your soil sample and improve fertility decision-making for your fields.
As harvest comes to a close, the next item on many farmers’ minds is fertilizer. With prices nearly double previous levels, it’s important to get the timing – and the form – right for your fields, management styles and spring crop plans. Precision Agronomy Advisor Phil Long reviews the nitrogen cycle, product options and ways to make sure the fertilizer you apply now is ready for your crop in the spring.
Pumpkin Fundraiser Plants a Seed for Ronald McDonald Donation
As a young boy growing up on 4-C-Sons Dairy near Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Forage Products Manager Corey Catt developed an interest in how nutrition affected the animals in his care. He also was committed to making a difference in his community and the world around him.
“My parents were always visiting family and friends in the nursing homes, as well as those who lost spouses or going through a tough patch in life,” says Corey. “My favorite grandmother, who had been very active, was in a bad car accident that left her in a wheelchair. This gave me and my brothers perspective to the challenges people face.”
Corey’s mom was a nurse and an emergency medical technician (EMT), and he attended classes with her when he was young. He also was in an accident when he was a kid. “I will never forget those who helped me from the EMT’s to a wonderful community that supported our family and farm operations during that time. All this support and kindness from others added some depth and desire to want to help others in some way.”
His life experience also explains Corey’s diverse interests and multi-faceted career. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Agronomy, Nutrition and Economics. He took EMT training at night after attending college classes during his first fall in college. He later advanced training to become a Nationally Registered Paramedic.
“One of my paramedic colleagues from the ambulance service was telling me about a fundraiser his dad did. Every spring he would start seeds for giant pumpkins. Then he would sell the seedlings to people in the community to raise money for a community fundraiser, and in the fall, they had a big pumpkin weigh-off party. It was similar to a 50-50 raffle where half the money was reserved for the winner with the biggest pumpkin, and the other half was donated to kids with disabilities,” said Corey.
Corey’s friend needed a place to grow his giant pumpkin for the fundraiser and asked if he could plant it at 4-C-Sons Dairy. Their first attempt yielded them about a 200-pound pumpkin, so they accepted a challenge to grow a bigger pumpkin the following year. Some people claim there are lots of secrets to growing a giant pumpkin, but Corey says it’s a lot is like farming because we need Mother Nature to cooperate.
“That fundraiser planted a seed in the back of my mind,” said Corey. “It got me thinking about ways I could help others.”
Corey Catt delivers pumpkins to Ronald McDonald House Charities with his two goddaughters.
Fast forward a few years and an opportunity presented itself. Corey was asked to be a godfather for two of his friends’ daughters. When the girls grew older, Corey wanted to do an activity with his goddaughters that would allow them to experience the feeling of giving back by helping others. Corey planted his first pumpkin patch about 20 years ago, and then he reached out to the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis to see if he and his goddaughters could donate pumpkins there. In subsequent years, he contacted Ronald McDonald Houses in Milwaukee because they were closer to where his other goddaughters lived. He also has donated to Rochester.
“Delivering pumpkins to Ronald McDonald Houses led to meaningful conversations with my goddaughters, House managers, and the families that stay there,” said Corey. “We were given tours of the houses, so my goddaughters learned about kids their ages who were battling pediatric cancer. A house manager at the Ronald House in Milwaukee explained how decorating pumpkins brings some normalcy to a chaotic life. It’s a source of comfort to these families, even if it’s just for a moment in time.”
“The love is palpable inside the Ronald McDonald House,” adds Corey. “Everyone there is so kind. There are volunteers who are gardening, preparing meals and leading crafts. My role isn’t large, but it’s a way to support these families. This year we delivered pumpkins in time for a large move-in event at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis. Our pumpkins, straw bales and corn shocks helped welcome these families to their home away from home.”
The Pumpkins Must Get Delivered
Just as rain and snow couldn’t keep the Pony Express from delivering, Corey doesn’t allow the weather to prevent him from delivering pumpkins.
“I’ve been extremely blessed to have a good friend who graciously grows a big pumpkin patch every year, so I have a backup supply,” says Corey. “When I’ve had production issues due to hail or drought, he has come through. This year he grew the most beautiful weed free patch that I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s nice to have friends who contribute, too.”
Raising pumpkins on a large scale takes time and effort. Corey says he’s in a constant battle with weeds and insects when he’s not working with dairy and beef producers through his job with Latham Seeds or working as a paramedic at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
“Some days you wonder if it’s really worth it, and then you’re reminded why you’re doing this,” says Corey. “One day I was delivering pumpkins to a Ronald McDonald House when I saw a little girl with tubes hanging everywhere. I could just feel the heaviness of this mom. It honestly made my heart ache as I imagined all her concerns: hospital bills, insurance, missed work, other kids at home.
This little girl walked by one a warty pumpkin and said, ‘Look, Mommy. This one has bumps.’ She smiled the biggest smile. That little, warty pumpkin brought her so much joy. I could see the mom find a fragment of joy in that moment, and that one moment made a summer’s worth of work all worth it.”
Corey adds, “Everyone has pieces of their heart they want to give, but not everyone knows how to share it. It took a lot of phone calls for me to figure out how to give back to Ronald McDonald Houses, but it has been so rewarding. I believe each one of us can find a way to make a difference. That’s one thing I appreciate about Latham Seeds. This family-owned company is about more than business… It’s about making a difference.”
In honor of October as both Pork and Pumpkin Month, today we’re sharing a recipe for Pork & Pumpkin Chili. Plus, pumpkin has many health benefits! Pumpkin is highly nutritious. It’s high in beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. Studies show that vitamin A can strengthen your immune system and help fight infections.
In honor of October as both Pork and Pumpkin Month, today we’re sharing a recipe for Pork & Pumpkin Chili. Plus, pumpkin has many health benefits! Pumpkin is highly nutritious. It’s high in beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. and is particularly rich in Vitamin A. Studies show that vitamin A can strengthen your immune system and help fight infections.
#AskTheAgronomist: Evaluating Fall Fertilizer Decisions
When faced with high fertilizer prices, what considerations should factor into next season’s investment? Precision Agronomy Advisor Phil Long addresses each macronutrient’s effect on yield and performance plus the pros and cons of investing versus scaling back for next season.
By robbing farmers of more than 100 million bushels annually, Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) is estimated to be the #1 yield-robbing soybean pest or disease in the United States. Farmers may scream over lost yield this fall, but SCN is considered a “silent yield robber” due to a lack of above-ground symptoms in most fields.
Immediately after harvest is the best time to take soil samples for SCN. Several universities have programs that offer free soil samples to evaluate SCN, so check with your local Extension office to see if you qualify.
Think SCN isn’t a problem in your fields? Think again! Dry soil conditions, especially early in the growing season, can greatly increase the effects of SCN infestations. I received numerous calls in June and July about yellow, stunted soybeans. Most farmers suspected Iron Deficiency Chlorosis. Upon further inspection, SCN was almost always present and in larger numbers than previously observed. When I asked whether these farmers had taken a recent soil sample for SCN, most had not. They admit to mostly relying on SCN-resistant varieties to control or minimize the losses from this pest.
We have known for years that PI 88788 is gradually losing its efficacy against the pest, and more than 95% of SCN-resistant soybeans in America have PI 88788 as the source of gene resistance. Since 1997, a team of researchers at Iowa State University led by Dr. Greg Tylka has conducted annual in-field trials with hundreds of SCN-resistant varieties. They measure agronomic performance and SCN population densities from planting until after harvest.
Scientists have determined that to be effective, SCN-resistant varieties must maintain less than a 10% reproduction rate of SCN during the growing season. Since 2004, Dr. Tylka and his team have noticed that the average of all PI 88788 varieties in their trials have gradually exceeded that threshold. They have also noted that the average yield of those varieties has decreased as the SCN reproduction has increased. For more information on these studies, visit www.isuscntrials.info. Other land-grant university researchers have reported similar findings.
To effectively manage SCN in the future, soybean breeders are focusing on other sources of gene resistance. Your Latham Soybean Product Team is continually evaluating and searching for opportunities to bring new, better resistant varieties to our lineup. We also are evaluating several seed treatments for battling this pest. Saltro®, our seed treatment product for SDS protection, is also noted to have activity against SCN. More information from our Latham Elite trials will be available post-harvest.
“TAKE THE TEST. BEAT THE PEST.” is a slogan/campaign by The SCN Coalition™ and funded by the Soybean Checkoff and is designed specifically to promote awareness of SCN. These microscopic roundworms, which infect the roots of soybeans and other plants, can be present in a field for years before above-ground symptoms are visible. We encourage you to take the test this season, so you can plan accordingly for the future.
Precision Agronomy Advisor Phil Long addresses an interesting question surfacing this fall, “Why does my combine seem like it’s covered in soot?” Tune in to uncover what’s happening in the field as we harvest, plus some cautionary tips for livestock farmers if you are feeding cornstalks this season.
By robbing farmers of more than 100 million bushels annually, Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) is estimated to be the #1 yield-robbing soybean pest or disease in the United States. Farmers may scream over lost yield this fall, but SCN is considered a “silent yield robber” due to a lack of above-ground symptoms in most fields.