Dark Tobacco Update Andy Bailey Univ. of KY / Univ. of TN Univ. of KY Research & Education Center, Princeton, KY U.S. Tobacco Forum, July 16-18, 2009, Myrtle Beach, SC
Dec 16, 2015
Dark Tobacco Update
Andy BaileyUniv. of KY / Univ. of TN
Univ. of KY Research & Education Center, Princeton, KY
U.S. Tobacco Forum, July 16-18, 2009, Myrtle Beach, SC
Dark Tobacco in Kentucky and Tennessee• 30 counties: 20 KY, 10 TN• Approx. 21,000 acres (down 25% from 2008)• Kentucky: 9300 acres dark fired, 5000 dark air cured• Tennessee: 6500 acres dark fired, 1100 dark air cured• Limited expansion of semi-fired and air-cured in North Carolina
VA
NC
2009 Dark Crop2009 Dark Crop
• Extremely wet spring, 12-14” rain in May-June• Very shallow root system
– Heat stress and temporary nutrient deficiencies– Shallow rooted crop will require more rainfall later
• Uneven, becoming more uniform in past 2 wks
2009 Dark Crop2009 Dark Crop
• Major buyers reduced 2009 contracted poundsMajor buyers reduced 2009 contracted pounds
• Heavy inventories and company mergersHeavy inventories and company mergers
• 2009 will be back to an “average” volume year2009 will be back to an “average” volume year
– Approx. 45 million lbs dark-firedApprox. 45 million lbs dark-fired
– Approx. 15 million lbs dark air-curedApprox. 15 million lbs dark air-cured
• Less double-crop curing required in 2009Less double-crop curing required in 2009
– Many crops set in narrow time window anywayMany crops set in narrow time window anyway
Dark Tobacco Research Programs• Variety development
– Better black shank resistance, yield potential, quality
• Pest control and pesticide screening– Potential new pesticide registrations
• TSNA reduction– Field practices, barn monitoring, curing practices
• Reduction of production costs
– Strip-tillage
– Promotion of IPM
– Fire-curing cost reduction:• $400/A+ curing costs and sawdust shortages
• Indirect firing techniques and alternative wood sources
Extension Programs
• Tobacco Education
– Innovative Tobacco Grower Program
• Extensive tobacco production short course
– Burley and Dark Tobacco Production Manual
– Trainings for county agents and company
representatives
Kentucky Tobacco Team
• Bob Pearce, UK Burley Specialist• Paul Denton, UT/UK Burley Specialist• Andy Bailey, UK/UT Dark Specialist• Bob Miller, UK/UT Burley/Dark Breeding• Kenny Seebold, UK Pathologist• Lee Townsend, UK Entomologist• John Wilhoit, UK Ag Engineering• Will Snell, UK Ag Economics