Tobacco planting nearly done in Georgia-Florida, just starting in Kentucky

The “horses are at the gate” for Kentucky burley, but the “race” is going to be delayed at least a little while longer, says Bob Pearce, Kentucky Extension tobacco specialist. “We have plants ready for setting, but we have had an incredible amount of rain,” he says. “Our soils are very wet, and our fields aren’t ready yet.” He estimated that transplanting will not get going in earnest until the second week of May, about a week behind schedule. But transplanting in Georgia and Florida will be complete by early next week, says J. Michael Moore, Georgia Tobacco Extension tobacco specialist. Some tobacco in Florida is close to layby already. In both states, the schedule is close to normal. Watch for more details in the May issue of Tobacco Farmer Newsletter. Not receiving it by email? Email chrisbickers@gmail.com and say "Subscribe". Include your state and tobacco affiliation.

Comments on the Planting Intentions Report

Several readers have commented that the USDA’s relatively low planting estimates don’t seem improbable to them. One NC farmer wrote, “The prices of other crops have most growers on the conservative side with tobacco since the companies do not seem to want to be competitive in price with the other crops.” But one flue-cured grower who took up burley after the buyout wrote, “Talking to company people, it’s a little surprising that the burley acres are down.