Dispelling Myths about Seed Treatments

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

by John Toft, CCA in Nebraska and Iowa
Latham’s Regional Sales Manager in Nebraska

There is a common belief that seed treatments only pay when we experience colder, damper conditions at planting time. This past winter was mild with relatively little spring snowmelt. We also experienced unseasonably warm temperatures in March and April, which contributed to warmer, dryer conditions at planting time. As a result of weather and soil conditions at planting , many farmers opted not to treat their soybeans last spring.

Today I’d like to encourage you to view seed treatments differently. Instead of viewing seed treatment as an input cost, consider seed treatment as an insurance policy.

Why wouldn’t you want to protect a crop that’s worth more than $17 per bushel?

Insect pressure across the nation is at an all-time high, and if we can prevent that early plant feeding, we can add multiple bushels. By design, seed treatments protect the seedling plants until they have a fairly well-established root system. Almost all seed treatment insecticides belong to the neo-nicotinoid family of products. They do a great job of controlling insects while the plant is in the seedling stage, the effect soybean treatments have on soybean aphids longer lasting. Aphids are such fragile insects that it doesn’t take much of the chemical to kill them, so we see aphid control last from 40 to 50 days after planting.

Fungi are another factor hindering bean yields. Because producers are planting earlier each year, seed treatment provides added protection. Seed treatments also help protect against nematodes, which are becoming more prevalent. Many fully-loaded treatments may have innoculants, micronutrients or plant food.

There are many new technologies that chemical companies are bringing forward. This offers the producer better controls, and more importantly more freedom within their operations.

Latham Hi-Tech Seeds has treatment packages that offer a broad spectrum of control. SoyShield is Latham’s fungicide-only package, and SoyShield Plus contains fungicide and insecticide. The best part is, it takes less than a bushel of soybeans to pay for the cost of treatment!

Latham’s Early Order program makes seed treatment an even better value. Contact your local Latham® representative or contact the company directly at 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).

Central & Eastern Iowa Crop Report: August 29, 2012

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

Harvest is approaching quickly with producer’s making last-minute adjustment s to equipment and storage facilities. Seed corn harvest is in full swing this week in my area. Early indications are that yields are all over the board, depending on hybrid and the amount of heat stress at pollination. This will probably hold true as we move into harvest mode after Labor Day. I encourage everyone to take some time to evaluate each hybrid on a field-by-field basis. Keep really good notes this fall, which will help you crop plan for next year.

The condition of soybeans has improved in recent week, and the soybean crop is moving quickly to maturity. As we crop plan for 2013, take a good look at Latham’s seed treatment products. Both SoyShield and SoyShield Plus show huge advantages this season and should be considered for next year.

Crop Report 7/6/11: Corn Nears Tasseling

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Laura Cunningham, Marketing Coordinator

Northeast Iowa
Crops are progressing very well in Northeast Iowa. Click the video below for details.

For daily crop report commentary, follow me on Twitter @lathamcornguy.

Back to map

Northwest Iowa
The crop looks great! Most of the corn in northwest Iowa is into 11 to 12-leaf stage; we’re seeing some tasseling in the 15 to 16-leaf stage. Fortunately, we’re not seeing any disease pressure. Soybeans are starting to bloom. Second crop alfalfa is also blooming, so cutting will begin soon. We received a 1/2-inch of rain Tuesday morning with more to come.
Back to map

Central and Eastern Iowa
Corn throughout the area certainly made “Knee High by the Fourth.” The corn crop is in V9-V10 range and looks good in most areas. I had an opportunity to travel most of eastern Iowa last week and was very impressed with the corn crop between Highway 18 in the north to Highway 30 in the south. Producers are beginning to make plans for upcoming fungicide applications on this year’s crops. Crop rotations, hybrid/variety selection and past history should all be considered as we choose fields for applications. A little time working with your seed supplier and field agronomist can go a long way as we protect the yield on this year’s corn and soybean crop.

As for soybeans, this year’s crop continues to look good with excellent stands in most areas. Soybeans treated with SoyShield and SoyShield Plus have again shown an advantage in fields in the area. A scouting report along the Iowa River last week found aphids in very small populations. Everyone needs to keep an eye on insects and disease pressure in the weeks ahead.
Back to map

Eastern Nebraska

Tasseling corn in Southeastern Nebraska

It was hot and sticky most of the week. We experienced light rain and fortunately no severe weather. We’re right at our historic average on heat units through the last week in June based on 30 years of compiled data.I did manage to find some tasseling corn in South Central Nebraska. With the tasseling, comes a number of diseases and fungi to look for when scouting: Gray Leaf Spot, Eyespot, Goss’ Wilt and Rust. Also make sure the corn plant is at brown silk and through pollination before application of fungicides. Many high concentrate crop oils and triazole chemistries can damage silks and pollen glumes.
Back to map

North Central Iowa
Northern Iowa had another very good week for crop growth. Weather was warm and sunny with plenty of heat units to keep crops growing. Since the area received 1 to 2 inches of rain in the past week, soil moisture is in good shape despite the high heat.
Corn made huge gains this week is ranging from V7- to V10- stages. Latham® Hi-Tech Hybrids LH 5268 3000GT had a solid week again, even in corn-on-corn. This week I talked to several corn-on-corn growers and was reminded how important hybrid selection and management is for those acres. Having a strong agronomic hybrid like LH5268 is critical to preserving corn-on-corn yields. With fast emergence a strong defensive package, LH5268 looks exceptional this year, even in tough acres.
Soybeans are in the late stages of V to the R1 across the area. Soybeans have looked exceptional all year and this week continued that trend. With plenty of moisture and warmer temperatures, we’re seeing nice gains in soybean crops.
This week we’re expecting some showers with temps back in the 80s, so it should be another solid week.
Back to map

Southeast North Dakota
Overall crop conditions are good. Corn and soybeans have been responding very well to the sunshine and warmer weather that we’ve received lately. Some of the more advanced corn is in the V8 stage. North Dakota Agriculture Weather Network (NDAWN) readings at Lisbon, ND have the GDD units for corn at 805, which is only 44 units behind normal. Considering how wet and cold the planting season began, things are going pretty good. Reports show about 6.5 million acres – or about 28% of the cropland acres – were not planted this year in North Dakota. Northwest ND was the hardest hit region with up to 80% not planted in some counties.
Back to map

Southwest Iowa
Unfortunately, crops in the area were beat up last week from high winds. Soybeans are into early r1 stage. The corn has rebounded and is now at V7, V8 stages. Latham® Hi-Tech Hybrids LH 6396 3111 is looking great, and it handled high winds of 70 to 80 MPH. Latham® Hi-Tech Forage LH 9000, which was seeded this spring, produced 3.5 half bales an acre.
Back to map