Latham Hi-Tech Seeds

Latham Hi-Tech Seeds provides farmers with high-quality seeds sold through a farmer-dealer network across the Upper Midwest. This family-owned seed company, headquartered on an Iowa Century Farm, sells seed corn and corn silage hybrids, as well as soybeans and alfalfa. It has gained a reputation as a reliable source for farmers who need quality seeds.

Celebrating its rich legacy, Latham Seeds has been serving farmers in Iowa and surrounding states for more than 75 years. Its third-generation owners truly understand the operations and challenges of farmers and align their research and products with their needs.

John Latham, president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, says, “As a family-owned business, we understand farmers – especially multi-generational family farmers – and help them address specific challenges like disease, weeds, or other pests.”

Latham Seeds has a robust research program for developing products tailored to the areas they serve. It finds the best solutions to specific problems, such as providing seeds resistant to diseases, including seeds that are resistant to diseases – whether it’s iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) in Southwest Minnesota or tar spot in Eastern Iowa and Wisconsin.

In one instance, a customer was losing yield due to tar spot. Research performed by Latham’s Product Team resulted in new product offerings, which were evaluated throughout the year. The team also provided agronomy services to manage the issue. The customer was excited about Latham Seeds’ innovative genetics, which increased his profits. Latham's personalized approach to problem-solving was critical in this case, as it found a solution that worked specifically for that customer's farm.

Latham Seeds CFO Chris Latham says: “We are not beholden to a specific product. We look at what's best from an innovation perspective and deliver value for our dealers and customers.”

Latham Seeds provides peace of mind to farmers by working with farmer-dealers, who test the company’s products on their farms. This, along with Latham’s practice of maintaining transparency, gives farmers confidence in its products. Its strong partnerships with its dealers and customers sets Latham Seeds apart from the competition.

“Teamwork, integrity, and community support are three of our company’s core values,” says Shannon Latham, vice president and marketing team lead for Latham Seeds. “Many transactions today are impersonal, but we know trust and reliability are key to operating a successful seed business. This is key to our company’s culture of going above and beyond for our customers.”

A family-owned business, Latham Seeds is nimble enough to deliver a high-touch service, which is difficult to find in larger organizations. As the seed industry evolves with new technologies and trade perspectives, the company aims to grow its business by expanding its farmer-dealer network and continuing to provide exceptional products and services. Latham Seeds is committed to helping farmers grow their legacies while keeping rural communities strong.