Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is cooperating with News Radio 1040 WHO’s “Watch it Grow” 2011 Crop Tour. At the beginning of each month, we provide an update from each of the four field tour stops. Below is a summary of how the crop at each stop has progressed over the past 30 days.
Scott Jencks’ field near Hawkeye, Iowa
Today’s update on the Jencks’ field is brought to us by Corn Product Specialist Nick Benson. He reports that the field of LH 5877 VT3Pro and LH 6058 VT3Pro has officially hit milk stage. Pollination and grain fill went well with the exception of some missed pollination and/or aborted kernels, however, this should only affect yield by 1 to 5 bushels per acre. A week and a half ago, Northeast Iowa received a nice, two-inch, soaking rain that brought rainfall totals to 2.72 inches for the month of July.
The Jencks’ field was treated with 100 units of urea at chest height and was also recently treated with fungicide. The corn seems to be responding very well to both applications. Overall, the field of corn has seen little stress. We’re very excited to see the results at full maturity!
Scott Mandernach’s field near Odebolt, Iowa
Scott Mandernach’s field of Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids LH 6167 VT3 Pro is at the milk stage. Leaf diseases are minimal, and no insect pressure is evident. The ears are quite large, so the yield potential is good. The field received 2.93 inches of rain this month,
and it’s up to Mother Nature to determine this year’s final yield.
Rain is needed here. The extremely hot, humid weather over the past two weeks is beginning to take its toll on crops in West Central Iowa. Heat stress is causing some tip back with fewer kernels per ear.
Johnny Wilson’s field near Laurel, Iowa
The overall condition of Johnny Wilson’s field of Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids LH 5877 VT3PRO is good, especially given the straight-line winds that hit this area on July 15. This corn is in the late milk to early dough stages. The ears are almost filled to the tip, which signifies that seed was planted at the right population.
As Latham Product Manager Mark Grundmeier scouted fields in the area on Wednesday, August 3, he saw Eye Spot, Grey Leaf Spot and Northern Stem Blight. This field in particular is showing a little stem blight. Overall in July the field received 3.32 inches of rain.
Mike Aldinger’s soybean field near Iowa Falls, Iowa
Latham’s Product Manager Mark Grundmeier could describe Mike Aldinger’s field of L2084R2 in just one word: beautiful. This field of soybeans is just beginning pod stage with some plants still flowering. 
Grundmeier, who visited this crop tour stop on August 3, says it’s virtually weed free and timely July rainfalls totalling 2.12 inches are helping crops in this area fare better against the heat. There are aphids present, so Grundmeier advises they be watched to help protect yield.
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