Season | | Latham Hi-Tech Seeds

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Our “Secret Sauce” is Saltro® Fungicide

One of the reasons we use Saltro is because it protects early-season plant health, plus protects plants against Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). Soybeans treated with Saltro have strong emergence, better stands, healthier leaves and develop more robust early-season root mass. As a result, soybean plants treated with Saltro can reach their full genetic and yield potential.

Saltro also doesn’t cause additional plant stress, like the halo effect we’ve seen with older chemistries. Soybeans can outgrow the side effects from early-season, above-ground stress, but they may not fully recover from the lower yield potential caused by below-ground stress.

While touring the Syngenta Seedcare Institute in Minnesota, a group of Latham representatives were told Saltro is safer and more effective than the current standard seed treatment. More than three years of research shows that soybeans treated with Saltro have a 3-bushel per acre yield advantage over the leading SDS competitor in heavy SDS pressure and a 1.8-bushel yield improvement under low SDS pressure.

Another advantage we saw first-hand on our tour is that Saltro has 22% better wet seed flow than its leading competitor. Saltro has a much lower use rate. In addition, the leading competitor creates 63% more buildup and 100% more dust than Saltro.

Improved handling and treatment efficiency, higher yields, no plant stress, as well as superior SDS and SCN protection are the reasons why Latham Seeds is making our unique Saltro blend available for the products we’re selling for next planting season. Ask your Latham® representative for more information!

Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager

September 17, 2019

Agronomics, Cover Crops, Crop, Season, Seed Treatment, Spring, Tech Tuesday, Winter
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

September 11, 2019 Crop Reports

Northwest North Dakota

Brian McNamee

Join us at the Big Iron Farm show in West Fargo. Yesterday was the first day of the 2019 show, and there was a great turnout! It’s the best first day I can remember we’ve had in the past eight years.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

Experimental silage specific hybrids are really stretching out at Latham’s northern research plot west of Grand Forks, ND. Latham regional sales manager Ken Highness is holding two of our new hybrids, and one has 15 leaves above the ear. Look for more info coming soon about our post-harvest meetings!

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

As daylight shortens and temperatures begin to cool off, we know summer is ending. Corn is still two to four weeks behind, and soybeans are beginning to turn. Southeast South Dakota (SESD) continues to get measurable rains week after week, leaving field conditions wet and sticky. Growers are doing some forward planning on how to get their crops out of the field as our area is getting between 1 and 6 inches of rain this week alone.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

More rain fell this week in Northeast South Dakota (NESD). Two to four inches was very common throughout the region with additional heavy rain in the forecast. White mold and other soybean diseases are becoming more prevalent. Early soybeans are starting turn yellow as soybean harvest is only a few weeks away.

Corn is still slow to progress as temperatures aren’t pushing milk lines very fast. There is a lot of corn that has not dented. Standability will most likely be of concern this harvest as most corn is firing and taking nutrients from within the plant to pack starch into the kernels.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

At this time of year, Latham® dealers get together at Latham SuperStrip plots to gain agronomic and product knowledge. Dealers from the south and central parts of my region got together in Horace, ND. Dealers from Northern ND and Northern MN got together in Emerado, ND.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

Latham’s LH 5245 VT2 PRO continues to shine in this field south of Redwood Falls, MN. Some ears are nearly 75% dented, while some are only 25% dented.

This picture shows what a late-season fungicide applied at tassel can do for plant health. This satellite imagine shown as an NDVI provided by Climate FieldView shows a definite line as to where the fungicide was applied.

Northern Wisconsin

Joe Salter

Some early maturity soybeans are starting to turn. White Mold and SDS are showing up across the region. Take note of these areas and remember to plant a Latham® IRONCLAD™ product the next time this field is planted to soybeans. Corn is still very wet, so very few harvesters have started rolling yet. Last week brought some great field opportunities for Latham dealers and customers. Pictured here is LH 3695 VT2 PRO which looks very good just north of Highway 29 East. For more information about all the options Latham has for your area, check out our products/hybrids on our website. You’re also welcome to call 877-GO-LATHAM and we’ll be glad to meet with you.

North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

I saw a lot of corn aphids while scouting fields yesterday around Estherville, IA. Here’s a resource from Iowa State University on corn aphids: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2016/08/managing-aphids-corn

Northwest Iowa

Jeremy Joynt

Variability will continue to be a part of everyone’s conversation now and throughout harvest. Last spring we saw variable soil conditions and planting dates, resulting in an array of different stages of plant growth. It is yet to be determined how the harvestability will be affected, but the yield of each hybrid is expected to be variable. As we get closer to harvest, keep plant health and stalk quality in mind to decide where to start combining.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

Lots of soybean fields look like this, and a small portion are starting to turn. A few corn fields are getting closer to harvest. Now is a good time to meet with your Latham® Dealer to place early orders before harvest starts. Take advantage of early season orders and the best product availability!

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Early planted soybeans are starting to turn in Southeast Iowa.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

Despite a growing season of challenges beginning with spring flooding, Latham’s 6317 VT2 PRO DG RIB is putting on big ears in western Iowa. This ear is 18 kernels around by 40 long.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

Latham’s LH 5199 SS LFY is an awesome silage corn. I counted 16 to 18 kernels around and 36 to 40 long. The tonnage was very good. This dealer filled his bunker and had to find another spot to put the extra!

Central Iowa

Aaron Steenhoek

Chopping season has come and gone throughout most of southern Iowa. Most of the corn that was planted in April and May has black layered and will now begin the dry-down process. Pictured here is Latham 6477 VT2 PRO RIB, doing what it does best. This variety is putting on more yield and tonnage than the competitor in this side-by-side comparison. When you look across this field, you can see that 6477 is a visually larger and healthier plant. Contact your local Latham® representative today to see how we can help you take care of your cow nutrition/feed stuffs and row crop needs!

Laura Cunningham

September 11, 2019

#FromTheField Crop Reports, Fall, Season
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

September 4, 2019 Crop Reports

Northwest North Dakota

Brian McNamee

What a fantastic Latham® product training week I attended last Thursday in southern Minnesota! We have Latham plots planted across the territory, so contact your local dealer if you’re interested in a first-hand look.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

After hearing reports of leaf-feeding on soybean fields in the area, I inspected several fields. Every field I walked had leaf feeding, and I found many Green Cloverworms on the ground. Green Cloverworms are one of many soybean defoliators in the Midwest. Using a sweep net method of sampling in an affected area is the best way of checking quantity and life stage of these insects. Many university information reports are available online, but it looks like 20 to 40 percent leaf loss is recommended before insecticide is applied. Check fields soon and spray if needed to maximize yields.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

The impressive ear pictured here is Latham® 4657 VT2 PRO RIB. It felt like it weighed more than 1 pound!

You can get better yield estimates now by pulling back husks and counting kernels, using the formula (length x rows)/90 = bushel per acre. The rows and kernels are not consistent on the top and bottom of the ear, so start a few kernels up from the bottom and stop a few kernels from the top. Keep in mind that moisture and test weight are not figured into this formula.

Take notes on each product, the environment and the conditions it faced this year. Also keep in mind your original goal for that hybrid back you ordered it a year ago. Then talk with your Latham dealer or regional sales manager about what you’re seeing. Even better, invite him or her to walk a field with you. Field notes can be helpful when selecting products for 2020.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Northeast South Dakota finally made it a week without much rain. Some corn is denting, which puts moisture levels around 60 percent. Corn needs, on average, another 30 days to reach black layer. Unfortunately, cooler-than-normal weather is expected again this weekend. Rootworm beetles have been present late this summer, so trait selection will be important next year.

Soybeans are finally filling pods, and some early varieties are starting to turn yellow. There were some fields that were sprayed for bean leaf beetles and clover-worms as defoliation was ever present this year.

Minor defoliation shown above on the new E3 Enlist soybeans.

Pictured below is LH 3937 VT2 PRO is standing out and will be drier than fuller season hybrids this year!

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

It’s hard to believe that September is here! Soybeans have great potential in my region as the August rains were beneficial. We’ll see if the pod counts add up at harvest. Pictured is a field of LLGT27 that has the appearance of hail damage. This field actually was damaged by Green Cloverworms, one of many soybean defoliators found in the Upper Midwest. There larvae maybe found in fields from late June through September.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

Latham’s new 100-day LH 5077 VT2 PRO looks stout in the plots this year. We just need an ample amount of heat to finish off this year on a good note. This Latham® plot near Echo, MN looks awesome!

Northern Wisconsin

Joe Salter

Two things that never get old, fresh cut hay and these views as Spaeth Farms takes hay off a couple of fields. Last week also brought us some much needed time looking at Latham® product in the field. I really enjoy Latham field training as there’s never a dull moment when our regional sales managers get together.

North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

This Latham® Soybean SuperStrip plot was planted May 5 near Garner, Iowa. This plot features E3, LLGT27, and LL technologies. Plot seed was treated with SoyShield^TMand ILeVo® and we’re not seeing any signs of SDS or white mold.

Northwest Iowa

Jeremy Joynt

The Clay County Fair in Spencer starts Saturday, Sept. 7. Be sure to stop by and see our Latham® Dealers at booth number 6! The start of the Clay County Fair also means it’s time to check out your combine because harvest will soon be here. It’s important to track which fields need to be harvested first.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

Pictured here is a nice looking field in Bremer County Iowa of LH 5245 VT2 PRO RIB. After yet another week of very little rainfall, some fields are starting to look stressed. Soybeans have a ways to go yet, so we really could use timely rains and a late frost.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

“Choice” is a cornerstone of Latham Hi Tech Seeds. No matter what challenges you may have in your soybean fields, we have the soybean for you! We will help you select seed, Field-x-Field® to find the right seed.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

Farmers in western Iowa are getting 24 to 26 tons per acre of silage, which is a bit less than in years without so much rain. Pictured here is a field of Latham’s 5495 3122 EZR.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

I stopped by to see our Latham® Dealer just south of Badger, Iowa, and got in on the tail-end as he and his son were baling hay pasture. That reminded me that Latham Seeds has trucked several bags of alfalfa in recent weeks for fall seeding. Be sure to check Latham’s full lineup of alfalfa, as well as our corn, soybeans and cover crops. The best price, as well as the best availability, is now!

Central Iowa

Aaron Steenhoek

Pre-harvest plot tours are starting across the territory, and we’re seeing the signs of fall. Corn is shrinking in places and beginning to die unnaturally. Soybean diseases like white mold, SDS, and brown stem rot (BSR) are showing up as soybeans mature. Late-season scouting leads to better seed decisions in the future plus it will help you prioritize fields for harvest. Pictured here is LH 6224, which is showing well in southern Iowa.

Laura Cunningham

September 4, 2019

#FromTheField Crop Reports, Fall, Season
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Reducing Harvest Loss Begins at the Header
Half of corn harvest loss and a whopping 80% of soybean harvest loss can occur at the header. It’s easy to overlook adjustments to the header because there aren’t any sensors to tell us what’s wrong. That’s why a relatively quick inspection is well worth your time.

A combine performs five key operations during harvest: cuts the crop; threshes the crop (first part of the rotor); separates the grain from the chaff (back part of the rotor); cleans the grain with fans and the cleaning shoe; and handles the crop to move it through the combine and into the grain cart or wagon. We all do our best to adjust our combines for each of these five areas.

Harvest loss can add up in a hurry as 1 bushel/acre of harvest loss is only 2 kernels of corn or just 4 soybeans per square foot.

Be sure to check the following two areas, which are often overlooked when making adjustments at harvest time:
- Reel speed is typically set automatically based on tire speed in modern combines. However, you can adjust reel speed on-the-go and stop loss due to changing field conditions. The reel should be hitting soybeans about one-half to 3/4 of the way up the plant and at a speed that lays them back onto the platform. If your reel speed is too fast, it will cause premature shatter losses.
- Corn harvest loss typically comes from whole ear loss or “butt-shelling” at the deck plates. Whole ear loss can be minimized by installing different things like ear savers for over the throat and at the front of the gathering chains. Upgrades that extend the height of each end of the header help when corn is down. “Butt-shelling” should be adjusted for by adjusting deck plates to stalk size and by making sure there is not extra wear where the ears continually snap.
Adjusting monitors in your combine cab is another area that can have a significant impact on your data collection. Following are a few noteworthy areas for your consideration:
- Don’t lag behind. Inaccurate Flow Delay is the most common issue with yield mapping. Are you noticing red streaks or a gap at the beginning and ending of each pass? This means the flow delay is not set appropriately. The delay is typically between 10 and 20 seconds. If you see lots of red as you start a pass, increase that time. If you see a gap of data points between the end of a pass and the headlands, you need to decrease the delay.
- Calibrate. Yield monitors can be off as much as 100%. Even if you diligently calibrated your monitor in corn last year, you must calibrate it again this year in corn. Make sure the moisture sensor is accurate because that calibration also impacts yield calibration. Electronic sensors are especially prone to needing adjustments.
- Do you run Auto Steer? If you don’t run auto-steer on your combine, you’ll need to adjust the swath width for soybeans if you’re running at an angle or harvesting drilled beans. For example, if you’re leaving about a two-foot gap on a 35-foot header, your swath width should be changed to 33 feet.
Focus on making the adjustments that can have a significant impact on the quality of your data, but don’t sweat the small stuff. For example, if you must stop on a dime for a tile blowout that would swallow your combine or if you skirt around a waterway, that data can be cleaned up later. Feel free to call me if you have any questions or need assistance.
Phil Long

September 3, 2019

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Fall, Precision Ag, Season, Soybeans, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

August 28, 2019 Crop Reports

Northwest North Dakota

Brian McNamee

Another jungle of LH 5062 GT/LFY. This field is irrigated and highly populated for this number. Ear development is coming along nicely. Silage chopping is just right around the corner, and I can’t wait. It’s going to be one heck of a year.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

Checking on a field of LH 3397 VT2 PRO RIB with my little crop scout Carson. Even with the cool and late spring, the early vigor of this hybrid is helping this field reach maturity.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

As we near the end of August, growing degree units (GDUs) and the first frost are on many of our minds. Spring and summer came a bit late this year. We are very much in need of fall and winter coming late, as well. Corn silage is still 3 to 4 weeks out, and soybean pod fill is about the same. Warmer temperatures is needed to finish out our crops. While the current forecast is cooling off a bit, the extended forecast calls for temps in the upper 70s. The great news is state climatologists are not expecting an early frost!

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

It’s hard to believe that summer is winding down, and kids are heading back into the classroom. Harvest is underway in my region, so farmers should look at prioritizing fields for harvest. There are a few steps farmers can take now to help the ease the pressure of harvest season. Walk your fields to note maturity and potential problem areas like stalk rot or lodging. Fields under stress from either too much water this spring or lack of rain will likely warrant special harvest. Roots can be more of an issue than stalks in a wet spring like most of us experienced this year. Saturated soils limit growth of the root hairs and brace roots, making the total mass much smaller. This can put a lot of stress on the plant later in harvest time. The plant may not have the ability to take up enough nutrients, or plants may lodge if there is a late-season wind or rain event. Taking field notes now will help you prioritize field for harvest!

Pictured is Gary Geske, Latham’s Northern Product Specialist, and Latham® Dealer Craig Nice standing by a field of LH 3117 VT2 PRO RIB near Ardock, ND.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

As the old saying goes, August makes the soybean crop. I found multiple 4-bean pods in our new L 1595 E3. Now we just need some heat to fill out these beans in the pod.

Northern Wisconsin

Joe Salter

Corn silage will be coming off the fields real soon. The next week or two should put the corn crop in optimal condition for silage harvest. Soybeans are in the pod-filling stage between R5 and R6. As pictured here, several pods were showing 4 seeds per pod from a new Latham® brand L 1793 LLGT27. This IRONCLAD product has an excellent emergence score, and this year’s crop has proven that! To learn more about our new products, join us Sept. 6 for our annual field day at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

Latham’s LH 4517 planted May 12 near Northwood, Iowa, is looking good.

Northwest Iowa

Jeremy Joynt

Recent cooler conditions have slowed crop development in Nothwest Iowa. A little over 50% of the areas are showing corn reaching the dough stage. As you’re checking the stage of your corn, watch for pests that can still be detrimental to the development of your crop.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

Here’s a new LH 5077 VT2 PRO hybrid in a corn plot in Bremer County, Iowa. This new hybrid is something you will want to add to your portfolio when placing an order. Spraying is finally complete. Moisture is needed in a lot of areas to finish these crop. Soybean fields are short overall. Timely rains will help finish the top of the plant to get better yields.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Plot nights have begun in Eastern Iowa. Great crowd and super customers! Don’t miss our annual Alexander Field day on September 6. See all the new products and choices for trait that fits YOUR fields.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

Prevent plant acres on this farm near Naper, Nebraska, are looking great! One bag of Latham’s alfalfa by 1 bag of oats per acres is making awesome hay.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

Four Liberty soybean products stood out in Latham® SuperStrip Plot near Steamboat Rock, Iowa. We showed these at a plot night last Monday.

Central Iowa

Aaron Steenhoek

Crop progress is coming along nicely with the rains that fell throughout the territory. Pockets of SDS are beginning to show up, so keep an eye on fields. Remember to check ratings when making next year’s picks! Only Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds offers IRONCLAD soybeans.

Laura Cunningham

August 28, 2019

#FromTheField Crop Reports, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

#AskTheAgronomist: Corn Pollination

Tune in as Phil Long discusses the current state of pollination in the field.

00:20 – Topic Introduction: Pollination Failure
1:02 – How much yield is left on the table?
2:47 – Percent of yield left in the field in correlation to the stage of the corn plant
6:32 – How to protect the final 40% of yield in the field
8:07 – Prioritize fields for harvest
9:27 – Remember to plan for 2020!
10:46 – Identifying 3 types of pollination failures

Laura Cunningham

August 22, 2019

#AskTheAgronomist, Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Growth Stages, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

August 21, 2019 Crop Reports

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

This good looking field of Latham L 0645 LL soybeans is just east of Enderlin, ND. Crops continue to push toward maturity. So far, I have not noticed aphid pressure that’s high enough to warrant an insecticide application .

Northwest North Dakota

Brian McNamee

You know the silage is going to be good when the Sudangrass looks like this! Pictured here is Elizabeth Rebonitsch, whose posing for a picture while helping her dad open the fields.

Anticipation is growing with Latham customers as we’re predicting record tonnage per acre in Southwest North Dakota. This photo shows another farmer who’s happy with his Latham® LH 5062 GT/LFY silage hybrid. I cannot wait to do in-field testing!

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Despite the challenging spring planting conditions and summer weather, some crops are developing nicely here in Northeast South Dakota. We’re only seeing low numbers of pests in corn and soybeans, but it’s unfortunate that more wet, cool weather is in the forecast. Growing Degree Units (GDUs) are needed to get corn to black layer. Corn needs roughly 54 days from brown silk to black layer. Some corn is still in the blister stage, putting us 45 days out with average temperatures. Soybeans continue to add pods except in wetter areas of the field where excess moisture has stunted growth.

Latham’s LH 3937 VT2 PRO RIB, on the left, is 20 kernels around by 32 kernels long. LH 4937 VT2 PRO RIB, on the right, is 16×36.

LH 4240 CNV at Ipswich is healthy and packing on yield!

L 1482 R2X near Ipswich is fully canopied.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

This week Southeast South Dakota is hosting its largest summer farm show, Dakota Fest. Latham Product Managers and Regional Sales Managers are busy talking with farmers about the challenges this year has brought and solutions to overcome them all. We are also discussing the latest and greatest products within Latham country. Many of our conversations have been about Enlist soybeans, silage corn and cover crops.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

With the harvest of sugar beets and spring wheat underway, there’s a lot of activity throughout the Red River Valley. The American Crystal Sugar Company starting pre-pile harvest. Pictured here is Latham® Dealer Todd Toppen, who is signing his plot for upcoming field days.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

We’ve been busy, walking plots and evaluating products throughout southern Minnesota.

Northern Wisconsin

Joe Salter

Weather has been really good across the region, so we’re hoping it stays warm for a few more weeks. Soybeans have made great strides recently. Silage corn is getting close, so we soon will see fields getting chopped.

As you can see, LH 4937 VT2 PRO RIB looks great in several plots and locations across this territory. Corn is growing tall in this early maturity Latham® plot that is located in the heart of northern Wisconsin.

Northwest Iowa

Jeremy Joynt

Much of Northwest Iowa received a welcomed rain this week. As you’re walking through your 2019 crop and deciding what to plant for 2020, note how your crop is handling stress. Are you seeing your soybeans with signs of SDS or IDC? If so, Latham® IRONCLAD products would be a great fit in fields.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

Here is our popular LH 5245 VT2 PRO corn hybrid in Fayette County. Crops are looking pretty good in Northeast Iowa. Soybeans are filled out at the top of the plant, so we just need a few more timely rains to finish out these crops. Fungicide spraying is coming to an end, and farmers are hoping for a late frost.

Central Iowa

Aaron Steenhoek

Corn pollinated well, but yields will be variable this year compared to the consistency we have experienced the last couple years. Ear size and stand counts are all over the board both in length and girth. The late-planted corn pictured here is denting.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

LH 6187 VT2 PRO is standing tall and looking great by Aurora, Iowa.

LH 5725 VT2 PRO is a key product for rotational acres for 2020!
Consider both products for your 2020 crop plan.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

Latham’s 5742 RR in Madison, Nebraska, is 18 kernel around and 40 kernels long. Harvest population is 27,250 ears per acre on dryland.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

This unusual trio has open range on this farmstead in Pocahontas County, Iowa. They do not wander off as Mama (hen) takes care of Porkchop, the piglet, like he’s one of her own. The calf is named Porterhouse, and they’re really quite entertaining to watch.

North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

We’re seeing a lot of Northern Corn Rootworm beetles in fields where last year’s crop was soybeans, as well as in soybean fields that weren’t sprayed for aphids. Most farmers who sprayed a fungicide this season added in an insecticide, so they’re not experiencing heavy infestations now.

Laura Cunningham

August 21, 2019

#FromTheField Crop Reports, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

August 14, 2019 Crop Reports

Northeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

For the third consecutive year, this Latham® dealer is using our conventional/leafy corn hybrids for silage. Latham’s silage mainstay LH 5062 GT/LFY continues to be a rock star in this area. If you have the ability to grow conventional corn on your farm, take a look at our portfolio of products.

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

Although this field of Latham® LH 4940 CNV/LFY was planted late due to a wet spring, it’s still doing what it does best. Plants are already 10 to 11 feet tall with 10+ leaves above the ear. This conventional silage hybrid, with its big dark green sunsoaker leaves, will produce tons of high quality silage this fall.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Last week a damaging storm moved through central South Dakota causing massive destruction to crops and buildings. The damage started near Gettysburg and made its way down to Burke. This week a storm moved through eastern South Dakota, dumping up to 4.5 inches on already saturated ground. Rootworm beetles have a heavy presence in corn fields this year. We’re seeing a lot of bean leaf beetles, as well as green clover worms and thistle caterpillars in soybeans. Early planted corn is now in the milk stage and soybeans have flat pods with many still flowering and adding smaller pods.

LH 4657 VT2 PRO near Groton, SD

EX 4325 VT2 PRO

Some corn fields recently were 100% wiped out by hail.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

Another 1 to 3 inches of rain fell across South Dakota on Friday, so wheat harvest is slow going. This week I’m sharing one of South Dakota’s prettiest crops. Did you know South Dakota ranks #1 in sunflower production? As you drive west through Southeast South Dakota, you can see miles of the yellow flowers. They are often used as a rotational crop for corn in western SD where moisture can be in short supply and soybeans don’t typically perform well. However, with crop innovation we are seeing more soybeans planted further and further west.

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

Crops in my region continue to move quickly toward maturity and harvest will soon be in full swing. Fields were stressed this season with too much moisture, so roots will be more of an issue than stalks this season. Saturated soils limit the growth of root hair and brace roots making the total mass much smaller. This will put stress on the plant later in the year. Corn plants may not have the ability to take up enough nutrients, or they may lodge if there is a late-season wind or rain event. Farmers should note these fields and prioritize them for harvest. These little farmers spent the afternoon scouting fields with their grandfather. They’re pictured in a nice looking field of Latham’s LH 4242 VT2 PRO near Barnesville, MN.

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

The effects of our wet spring are still evident in some areas of Southern Minnesota.

This soybean field in Renville County looks nice. Fungicides have been applied on numerous fields throughout this area.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

As long as the field was fit to plant corn in southern Wisconsin, the crop looks great! This field of LH 5245 VT2 PRO in Cambridge was planted on May 16 and is coming along nicely. We will need an excellent September to finish off this crop, but things are looking positive in the countryside today.

Northern Wisconsin

Joe Salter

Areas in Northern Wisconsin have received 3+ inches of rain during the past week. We’re hoping some long, warm days are ahead to finish out the month of August. Soybean varieties L 1748 R2, L 1769 R2X and L 1793 LLGT27 are looking very strong in this Latham SuperStrip plot.

Northwest Iowa

Jeremy Joynt

Crops continue to be in various stages of development, but we’re seeing some corn move into dough stage. Most fields are keeping clean of disease, but we are seeing some scattered grey leaf spot and rust. August makes soybeans! With daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s, heavy dew and moisture on the leaves, keep watching for aphids. The threshold is 250 per plant, but do not wait that long as aphid populations can explode rapidly.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

This field of our L 2249 Liberty soybeans in Howard County Iowa is waist high. If we receive some timely August rains, we could have a good crop. Soybeans are short throughout my territory, but short beans can yield well.

This field of Latham LH 4937 VT2 in Howard County is coming along pretty good. Farmers are finishing up spraying everything, so hopefully we can finish this crop year on a high note.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

With 16-kernels around and 42 kernels long, Latham’s LH 6317 VT2 PRO DG RIB is kicking it! A few kernels have begun to dent.

This beautiful field of Latham Liberty Link soybeans (L 3187 L) shows weed control. I’m looking forward to harvest!

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

What a good looking clean field of L 2193 E3!

Laura Cunningham

August 14, 2019

#FromTheField Crop Reports, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Scout for Soybean Gall Midge

Gall midge larvae and damage under the soybean stem epidermis. Photo by Dr. Bruce Potter, University of Minnesota

Soybean Gall Midge (SGM) caused extensive damage in 2018. It already has been reported in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota this season.

Scout around the edges of your soybean fields, especially those areas that are closest to fields where SGM was spotted last year. The adult stage of this pest is a fly from the genus Resseliella. The adult insects are so small that they go unnoticed in everyday scouting activities. Other midge flies are the Hessian Fly and the Wheat Blossom Midge.

The SGM may be spotted in the larval stages as they feed on a variety of items like decaying organic matter, fungi and, of course, galls on the stems of plants. Affected plants will appear wilted and eventually die.

Wilting also is symptom of Phytophthora Root Rot and Fusarium Wilt, so you’ll need to split the base of the soybean stem to know if the problem is an insect or disease. Once you split the stem, look for orange or white larvae.

You can see in this photo by Dr. Bruce Potter from the University of Minnesota that the larvae look like maggots. If find larvae, contact your local Extension Service immediately! While SGM larvae are almost impossible to control once they have colonized plants, Extension personnel want to learn more about this pest’s lifecycle. Any information you can give on how your field may have been infested will help all of us combat this pest in future years.

Because so many soybeans across Latham Country were planted later this spring than in 2018, the concern is SGM might be even more problematic this year. Last fall SGM was recorded in 69 counties of Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.

Very little is known about the biology of the Soybean Gall Midge and even less is known about methods to control it. With your help, we can begin to know and understand more about this potential threat to soybean production.

Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager

August 13, 2019

Agronomics, Crop, Insects, Season, Soybeans, Summer, Tech Tuesday
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

August 5, 2019 Crop Reports

Northwest North Dakota

Brian McNamee

Much needed rain fell across Western and North Central North Dakota last weekend, bringing a halt to harvest. Farmers are taking out crops wheat, barley, oats, peas and rye. Reports are mixed. Peas are having a good year. It looks like the later planted spring wheat, pictured here, will be superb.

After a day or two of rest, farmers will regroup. The timing of this rain is perfect to help fill soybean pods and to provide corn under pollination some relief. Looking forward to watching our Latham Hi‑Tech Corn and Soybean varieties continue to develop!

Southeast North Dakota

Gary Geske

Pollinator habitat, like this long grass prairie along my driveway, is important. Seed harvested from this weed-free plot is used to expand acres planted across the tri-state area. Producers, who value the importance of helping honey bee colonies plant pollinator habitat on their more marginal crop land or an odd-shaped field.

Northeast South Dakota

James Keltgen

Latham’s 5062 Leafy has 10 leaves above the ear even with the early cold growing season!

Wet is still the theme for 2019. Another round of heavy rains, ranging from 1 to 7 inches, hit this past week. Many farmers have been unable to spray crops in a timely manner, so crop dusters have been busier than usual. The early corn is has pollinated and some later planted corn has yet to pollinate.

Soybeans are shorter than normal this year and are slow to canopy due to saturated soils. One customer had to spray for green clover worms. Liberty and the new E3 Enlist soybeans are proving to be a great option for weed control.

Southeast South Dakota

Ramie Coughlin

Corn is coming right along in South Dakota. Most fields are pollinating now and temperatures couldn’t be more perfect. The hot temps in July earned us some much needed Growing Degrees, and so far August is providing us with great flowering weather. Soybeans are also enjoying mild temps while setting pods. Many soybean fields are at the R3, or beginning pod, stage. Many fields in Southeast South Dakota are still drying after anywhere from 0.2 to 6 inches fell here last week. Yep, I said 6 inches!

Northern Minnesota

Ken Highness

This field of LH 3695 VT2 PRO looks great on the farm of Kerri and Mathew Mattson. Their daughter, Taylor, posed for me with her Champion Dairy Steer at the Pope County open show. This dynamic duo will show at the Minnesota State Fair, August 22 through September 2. Good Luck, Taylor!

101 Animals on the Auction Block

Southern Minnesota

Justin Prokosch

This E3 plot near Butterfield, Minnesota continues to shine. Many farmers are applying fungicide on their corn and are just starting to apply fungicide on their soybeans. Not many aphids have been spotted yet in the area. Come to Farmfest in Redwood Co. Minnesota this week and stop by the Latham booth for some goodies!

Northern Wisconsin

Joe Salter

Crops as a whole look good in my territory. Unfortunately, storms in the north caused several barns and grain bins to go down. These photos show my Latham soybean plot and my boys are doing some farm work with their grandpa.

Southern Wisconsin

Greg Mair

The corn crop is moving along quickly in southern Wisconsin. This field of LH 5635 VT2 PRO, which was planted June 1 in Cuba City, was full shed on August 5. Corn that was planted late into appropriate field conditions appears to have the potential to be a very good crop.

Northwest Iowa

Jeremy Joynt

While signing fields and scouting for late-season pests and diseases, continue to scout for Japanese Beetles, grasshoppers, and aphids. It only takes 20% defoliation to meet the economic-threshold for loss when soybeans are in the reproductive stages. You might add pesticide to the tank mix if you are putting on fungicide.

North Central Iowa

Cory Greiman

Farmers in North Central Iowa are protecting yield with fungicide and insecticide applications this week.

Northeast Iowa

Craig Haaland

Both this field of L 2228 R2 and this field of our popular LH 5245 VT2 PRO RIB are progressing nicely in Chickasaw County, crops across northern Iowa could use a shot of rain. Keep a close watch for Japanese Beetles. We’re seeing some common rust in corn fields, as well as root worms and some blight. Aerial applicators have been pretty busy.

Eastern Iowa

Jerry Broders

While scouting corn and soybeans this past week, I’ve seen Gray Leaf Spot and a little eyespot. I haven’t seen any disease in the soybeans. Our biggest concern right now is moisture. Timely August rains are needed. Moisture can be found, but it is 18 to 20 inches from the surface.

Western Iowa

Larry Krapfl

Soybeans and oats were planted six days ago on this farm that was put into preventative planting.

West North Central Iowa

Bart Peterson

I scouted this field of Latham Hi‑Tech Hybrids near Humboldt, IA this week. The shorter-stature corn is LH 4249 SS. Towering 2 foot taller alongside it is LH 5199 SS/LFY. This taller variety is intended for silage and we’re already seeing the impressive height and wide leaves of the leafy trait come through. Looking forward to the tonnage results at silage harvest.

Central Iowa

Aaron Steenhoek

Corn planted during the last half May and the first part of June is reaching tassel. Bugs are extremely prevalent as is disease! If timing is right, applying fungicide and insecticide may be very worthwhile on these fields. Not only could an application help this year, but it could make a difference in rootworm beetle populations next year if you’re planning to plant corn-on-corn.

Laura Cunningham

August 7, 2019

#FromTheField Crop Reports, Season, Summer