Planting nears end in Kentucky

Warm and dry weather conditions spurred on the setting of tobacco in Kentucky, says the crop reporting service. Through June 4, burley was 73 percent set, well ahead of the 49 percent set at that point last season. Dark setting was 66 percent complete, compared to 59 percent in 2011. By June 8, grower Roger Quarles of Georgetown, Ky., said burley plantings might be pushing 85 percent. "The crop got off to a good start, but we could use some rain, especially in western Kentucky," he says.