Tag Archives: Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids

Industry NewsGoal: To Consistently Raise 300-Bushel Corn

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Peter Bixel

Farmers throughout history have raised corn yielding 300 bushels per acre (bu/A). In 1985, Illinois farmer Herman Warsaw produced corn yields of 370 bu/A. Warsaw spent years working toward his goal. He patiently built up soil nutrition and tilth for better plant health.

So what do we need to do to raise 300-bushel corn? Like Warsaw, we must commit to plan. Our plan must involve soil fertility, which takes into account nitrogen and micronutrients. Weather dictates when nitrogen (N) can be applied, its availability to the plant and its usability by the crop.

Nitrogen loss can occur immediately after application, and leaching can occur after N has been incorporated into the soil. That’s why renowned corn yield researcher Dr. Fred Below uses a stabilizer when applying his nitrogen. His fertility program also includes aggressive rates of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) to push for higher yields. Potassium is very important but is often lacking, especially in a drought year like 2012.

“As growers, we need to look at agronomy first. It’s important to build a good database for each field, understand interactions of nutrients and use the tools to apply the agronomy,” said Ron Olson, who was one of the first consultants nationwide to use GPS/GIS tools to assist farmers in managing Precision Ag databases. From 1974 to 1996, Ron owned an independent agronomic consulting company based in Illinois.

Today Ron serves as Research and Development Manager – New Products for the Mosaic Company. During a recent presentation in Des Moines to Seed-2-Soil and SciMax client, Ron admitted that a lot of work must be done to consistently achieve 300-bushel corn yields. However, he says taking incremental steps will lead to higher yields overall.

Nutrient management is key to increasing yield, according to research done in cooperation with Dr. Below and the University of Illinois. This research uses “omission plots” that compare corn both with and without fertilizer, fungicide, insecticide and seed treatments. While yields increase with each of these additions, fertility has the most impact.

In addition nutrient management, other factors influence yield. Click here to see Dr. Below’s 7 Wonders of the Corn World, which are the seven factors that have the most influence on yield.

Industry NewsSeed Selection is Even More Critical in Dry Years

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by John Latham

The Iowa Legislature convened last week, and along with that, came talk that Iowa’s drought law may get a closer look this year. “Water restrictions” isn’t a typical topic of conversation in the north, but it looks as though it might become commonplace across the Upper Midwest in 2013 if weather patterns don’t change.

It’s safe to say we’ll be planting the 2013 crop in dry soils. The 2012 drought caused most soils here to be depleted of moisture in the upper 7 to 8 feet, so it will take at least two growing seasons to recharge those soils.

Seed selection will certainly be critical for 2013 due to the extremely dry conditions. That’s why we’re recommending that most of our corn customers plant hybrids at least double- or triple-stack hybrids this spring.

A hybrid’s genetics will be the biggest factor in whether a hybrid can handle drought. Plot data shows that multiple-trait stacks, like Latham® hybrids with the Genuity® SmartStax® technology, can really help protect yield. REMEMBER: Traits protect yield. Genetics make yield. Seed products carrying the Latham brand name combine the industry’s best genetics with the latest traits and technologies.

While corn genetics have come a long ways over the past decade and are much better at handling drought stress than ever, soybeans historically perform even better in dry weather. Farmers will need to consider whether they can manage corn-on-corn in another extremely dry year or whether the economics favor soybeans. Other factors to consider when finalizing your 2013 crop plans are outlined in this recent article posted on agriculture.com: Six Take-Home Lessons from the 2012 Drought.

Regardless of whether you choose to plant corn, soybeans or alfalfa, Latham has the products you need! Our seed portfolio contains products that were bred specifically to thrive in specific areas of the Upper Midwest. Call your local Latham rep to learn more about the products best suited for your growing conditions, or feel free to call our office directly at 1.877.GO.LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).

Industry NewsStatus of 2013 Seed Supply

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An early fall harvest means many farmers have finished (or are nearly finished) with fall tillage and ready to confirm their 2013 seed selections. That’s why I’d like to take this opportunity to assure you that Latham Hi-Tech Seeds has adequate supplies to meet your needs for 2013.

As an independent seed company, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is able to source genetics and traits form multiple providers. We were fortunate to have corn production acres in eight states, which allowed us to spread the risk of crop failure in one particular region. Most of the soils in these production areas are heavy, and the lighter soils were irrigated. We further mitigated our risk by crop planning for three times more than our estimated sales.

Latham is more than able to meet demand for Hi-Tech Hybrids even though 2012 yields overall were lower than we had originally estimated. While a few hybrids are still in short supply, we’re planning to produce additional quantities of these hybrids in South American this winter.

We’re also pleased to share with you that soybean harvest went better than we had expected, given the extremely hot and dry conditions we faced in North Central Iowa this past growing season. Supplies will be tight on certain brands, but overall, our production growers harvested more bushels than we had expected. Dry years often result in small seed size and lower germinations from cracked seed coats. While it’s too early to tell about seed quality for 2013 planting, we take great pride in our hands-on soybean production strategy.

Latham’s production process has allowed us to produce the highest quality soybean seed over the past couple of years. Our plant is built to be as gentle as possible on the soybeans, so we are hoping this can help overcome the dry conditions. (Some of our handling equipment is the same as that used by a maker of corn flakes. You know it’s gentle if it keeps a corn flake intact!)

Last season farmers who planted Latham® Hi-Tech Soybeans noticed a drastic difference when our soybeans had 10% higher germination than our competitors. We heard more than one customer tell us he was surprised when the actual germination was higher than the number we had placed on the tag. The reverse situation occurred on the competitor’s soybeans, and the tag on the bag actually showed the germination to be 4% better than the true germ.

Every bag of Latham® soybeans is stamped with the word “quality.” It’s a word by which we measure our work – from product selection to service. Dedication to quality is at our foundation. And after 65 years of service, it’ become our mantra. Thank you for partnering with Latham. Here’s to 2013!