Seed Today - Q2 2008 - (Page 29)

Seedsman Profile Bill Latham President Latham Seed Company • Alexander, IA • 800-798-3258 Hometown: Hampton, IA. Family: Linda, wife and partner of 40 years; sons Christopher and John, who is our Director of Marketing; three grandchildren with another on the way. Years in the seed industry: All my life—I grew up with it. Years with Latham Seed Co.: 41. Education: B.S., Agronomy, Iowa State University (ISU). Career summary: Three years with Monsanto in ag marketing, six years with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve overlapping joining the family seed business. Latham Seeds’ best new product/service: The move to selling seed by seed count instead of weight. In going to seed count, the choice was fifty-pound bags with varying seed count verses varying the bag size to maintain a uniform seed count. We chose uniform seed count due to customer convenience, even though it presented production challenges. The best move recently is a marketing collaboration with Latham Hybrids, a seed corn company owned by the next generation, namely our son John and his wife Shannon. In the immediate future, we have an exciting new array of traits to adopt and market, in addition to advanced genetics. The key to Latham Seeds’ success: Follow the golden rule. “People buy from people”—we strive to be the kind of people customers desire for a supplier. Our intent is to be flexible and responsive, offer good choices and great service to customers, and have the owners available to the customers. We also believe there are advantages to being independent. Your management style: When major decisions are imminent, I like to meet with affected managers, gather opinions, make decisions in line with the consensus whenever possible, and then get out of the way as they carry out the policy. This encourages ownership in the decision. In a rural community such as ours, employees are also friends and neighbors, so we have a close relationship. Meaningful hobbies: Aside from family and ISU sports, a very average game of golf. Professional awards and honors: President, Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA); Past President, American Seed Trade Association (ASTA); Past Regional V.P., ASTA; Past President Iowa Seed Association; Past V.P. ISU Committee for Agricultural Development; Iowa Seed Association Honorary Member; and Iowa State University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award. Response No. 291 Response No. 292 Second Quarter 2008 29 http://www.ilcrop.com http://www.spirittransportation.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Seed Today - Q2 2008

Seed Today - Q2 2008 Contents Editor’s Notes Cover Feature IKR BÁBOLNAMAG AOSA/SCST Gary Biel Bill Latham According to ASTA AOSCA Origin AgriTech Ltd. Pipeline Auditec Power Seeds, Inc RSI Systems LLC Mill & Elevator Supply Co. Agronomix Software, Inc Green Age® Products and Services USDA Crop Projections Buyers’ Guide Ad Index

Seed Today - Q2 2008

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