WHY WILDCAT TOBACCO WON'T PAY

Plants on the way to the field on a flue-cured farm near Nashville, N.C., in May 2014. This is no year to grow tobacco without a contract, says Steve Pratt, general manager of the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association (BTGCA) in Lexington, Ky. "That would be like betting your money on the horses instead of on your growing ability, and it will not be wise to take a chance like that in a market like this. I absolutely do not recommend it." Closed by the cold: BTGCA closed its receiving station last week because of the weather. "We hope to reopen this week," Pratt says. "We were planning on having February 26 as our last delivery date." But the auctions will probably remain open in Kentucky as long as they have buyers and as long as the leaf keeps coming in, Pratt thinks. "The price will be below contract levels, but some farmers will be anxious to sell it at some price if they can." But he is not sure all of it will. "I just don't know if all the tobacco is going to get sold. The reality is we had a big crop with a high yield. Now quite a bit is still out there. But we have a world oversupply." Most dealers have tobacco 'on the shelf' and it is not moving very well, he says. It is a very slow market right now. "I don't think many companies-including us-are buying pounds beyond contract," he says. "If they are, it would be most likely be at a second tier of pricing." His assessment: Burley contractings for some companies could conceivably be down as much as 50 percent from last year. Stripping in Kentucky came to a near halt last week by snow and intense cold. "We got 10 inches of snow at the beginning of this week, and we've had three more since then," says Pratt. "It is very cold. At my house it was eight below zero Wednesday night. Not a lot of stripping is possible in such cold." A new sucker control product: Plucker-Plus from Drexel contains Sucker-Plucker and Drexalin Plus at a four to one ratio, providing both the contact activity of fatty alcohols and the local systemic activity of flumetralin. Labeled for all types of tobacco, it is available in 2.5 gallon jugs or 265-gallon totes. A jug provides the right rate for one acre of tobacco. Plucker-Plus is MH free and compatible with current spray schedules.     N.C. Extension specialist appointed: Matthew Vann will begin serving as Extension tobacco crop science specialist for North Carolina as of March 1, pending completion of his degree requirements. During his studies, Vann has served as an Extension associate with the N.C. State University crop science department. A native of Florida, Vann will be stationed in Raleigh. A variety that holds: Marcus Lee of Johnston County, N.C., said at the Southern Farm Show that the relatively new flue-cured variety from Cross Creek Seeds, CC 143, holds extremely well in the field. "It is compares to K 326  in holdability," he said. "It will hold longer than most varieties. That gives you longer to harvest your crop." It also grows fast and cures well. A burley auction in Asheville: For one of the few times in recent memory, western North Carolina had a burley auction this past marketing season. It was held in downtown Asheville in the Planters Tobacco Warehouse. Owner Billy Anders held four sales days, and about a half million pounds were sold. The best crops brought about $1.46 a pound, while lower quality sold for $1 a pound, he says. Every lot attracted a bid, and all bids were accepted. "We had two or three buyers at every sale," Anders says. Anders ended his sales in early February. Some of the leaf sold in Asheville was produced in excess of a contract, while some was produced without a contract, says Anders. He says he may conduct an auction for the 2015 crop but thinks getting a company buying station would be a better strategy. One dealer is considering locating a station there. There are now no burley receiving stations in western N.C. The Burley Stabilization Corporation facility in Greeneville, Tn., and the R.J. Reynolds station in Rogersville Tn., are the nearest stations. The burley crop in western N.C. was unexpectedly good considering the weather problems. This region suffered from the same frosts and-or freezes that afflicted many other tobacco areas the weekend of November 1, says Extension Burley Tobacco coordinator Stanley Holloway. But as far as Holloway knows, no tobacco remained in any mountain fields by that time. There may have been damage to leaf that was already in the barn, but it was not significant, he says. An oversupply of sweet potatoes? Sweet potatoes held a lot of appeal for N.C. tobacco growers a year ago when a record 72,000 acres were planted in the state. More will likely be planted this year, but Sue Johnson-Langdon, executive director of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, says, "We just hope growers don't over calculate the numbers it will take to meet the demand. It would be easy for our growers to plant too many acres." Best-ever black shank resistance: A new fire-cured variety could help growers in Kentucky and Tennessee deal with black shank. "KTD14LC may be a good choice for hotter black shank fields," says Kentucky-Tennessee Extension tobacco specialist Andy Bailey. "It has the best black shank resistance we have ever had in a dark variety." Rickards Seeds says KTD14LC's resistance level to Race 0 black shank is 10 and to Race 1 is 5. The variety was developed as part of the Kentucky-Tennessee cooperative breeding program. Could humic acid help? The humic acid product Actosol improves the soil and makes nutrients more available, says its manufacturer ARCTECH.  "You can foliar spray it or apply it through drip irrigation," says Dennis Bickel, ARCTECH sales manager. "It can lower your dependence on other fertilizers." All fields will benefit, he says. "But your lowest performing fields will see the biggest impact. We guarantee that your production will increase if you use it, so  you can't lose." Involvement in the industry: Zack Morris of Colerain, N.C., completed the 2015 NC State Tobacco Short Course earlier this month. "It was a good experience," he says. "I met a number of farmers and also individuals in the tobacco industry. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to be involved in tobacco activities." Like most Morris and his father Jim are growing less tobacco this year. But the flue-cured growers consider themselves fortunate because the reduction isn't too big. Morris and the other Short Course participants were recognized at the Tobacco Growers Association of N.C. annual meeting at the Southern Farm Show. (For a full listing, see TFN February II.) Also at the annual meeting, the Tobacco Growers Association of N.C. announced its award winners for 2015: Distinguished Service--Lobbyist Patrick Ballantine of Wilmington, N.C.; Extension Service Award--Tyler Whaley of Wayne County, N.C.; Outstanding Director--Brent Adcock of Person County, N.C. Farm Family of the Year--The Whitaker Farms of Randolph Co.: Richard and Faylene Whitaker and sons Shane and Travis. The Tobacco Farm Life Museum of Kenly, N.C., also presented awards at the Southern Farm Show: Innovative Young Farmer of the Year Award--Peyton McDaniel, Billy McDaniel and Phillip Watson of Hickory Meadows Organics, Whitakers, N.C. Excellence in Agriculture Award--Joseph Priest, agriculture research specialist, N.C. State Crop Science Department.. And Governor Pat McCrory presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to long-time tobacco specialist W.K. "Bill" Collins. The order is conferred by the governor on outstanding North Carolinians who have a proven record of service to the state. Welcome to the February III issue of Tobacco Farmer Newsletter. For more information, you can call me at 919-789-4631 or email me at chrisbickers@gmail.com. Thanks--Chris Bickers

HOW BIG WILL THE 2015 CROP REALLY BE?

These greenhouses in east Tennessee will be seeded soon.  But how many more will be needed? The U.S. flue-cured crop in 2014 was in excess of 500 million pounds, said Tim Yarbrough, president of the Tobacco Growers Association of  N.C., at the association's annual meeting on February 6. How much in  excess? Yarbrough calculated that if, as has been reported, North Carolina marketed 440 million pounds in 2014, then beltwide production would have  been 515 to 520 million pounds. That definitely exceeded demand. "It  is estimated that the amount of contract issued last year was in the range  of 460 to 480 million pounds," he said. "Obviously, we over-produced, by  perhaps as much as 13+ percent." To make the situation even worse, "A mega volume of inventory  from China has [apparently] been offered to the global marketplace  at a super-discounted price," said Yarbrough. It is in all likelihood  filler style leaf that does not normally compete head to head with anything  produced in America. "But at a bargain price, it most certainly can be  described as 'usable' and therefore likely having influence on our current set of circumstances," he said. Bad news from South of the Border: Brazil overproduced in 2014 and  has an accumulated inventory of more than 300 million pounds. "That [inventory] is...work[ing] its way into the global marketplace," said  Yarbrough. "We also hear that the current crop [2015] in South America  [including Brazil] is too large, which further contributes to the  oversupply situation." The predicament for American burley: Tobacco companies only  need around 170 to 180 million pounds of burley leaf from this past  season, but growers produced around 200 million pounds or higher. Will Snell, Kentucky Extension economist, said last week that production  will still likely be greater than anticipated use, explaining the lower prices.  In 2015, excess world burley supplies and slumping demand will likely  induce tobacco companies to reduce contract volumes in the U.S. and  South America in 2015, Snell said. Cheaper international leaf, combined with an appreciating U.S. dollar, may reduce the competitiveness of U.S.  burley in international markets and overall export volume may decline.  There has been a lot of volatility in prices this last growing season, Snell  said, as the market has gone from "somewhat of a seller's market" to  "more of a buyer's market." Dark outlook a little brighter: The 2014 U.S. dark fire-cured crop is  expected to total around 50 million pounds, with the 2014 U.S. dark air- cured crop totaling around 15 million pounds (just slightly above last  year's levels), said Snell. Expansion in smokeless tobacco consumption  appeared to slow in 2014, but the current supply/demand balance for dark  tobaccos indicates relatively strong leaf prices for the current crop--$2.65  to $2.70 per pound for top quality dark-fire and $2.35 to $2.40 per pound  for dark-air. There are some other demand factors that could still favorably affect  2015 production of flue-cured and burley. Regular sources tell me China  apparently intends to buy a little more U.S. flue-cured this season.  As reported in the last issue, there is apparently a little more demand for  U.S. organic tobacco, partly from the traditional buyer, Santa Fe  Natural Tobacco, and partly from a new company, Swiss Organic  Tobacco Co., which has reportedly bought U.S. flue-cured and burley  leaf to make an organic cigarette for sale in the European market. Weather could affect our competition: In Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi  have clearly suffered losses as a result of intense rains, which may improve our competitive position. But there is still much confusion as to how much.  One flue-cured grower--Portia Gurira of Beatrice, Zimbabwe--told  the Zimbabwe Herald that she planted her crop late due to the late rains.  "We planted late and a mid-season dry spell affected the crop, and  this reduced yields significantly. [Now] we have a late crop. We started  reaping yesterday [February 11]. Last year, during the same period, we  were already curing."  Malawi's yield will be less than half of last year's, according to Afriem,  an online website specializing in news on Malawi. "Erratic winds and  cyclones destroyed many of the fields of this country," Afriem reported.  "Additionally, poor distribution of subsidized fertilizer also resulted in stunted  growth of tobacco in some of the country's districts." Malawi's production is  primarily burley." In Zambia, which neighbors both Zimbabwe and Malawi, the experience  for the coming crop has run parallel to what American farmers are facing.  Albert van Wyk, general manager of the Tobacco Association of Zambia,  told Tobacco Farmer Newsletter on February 11, "Merchants have given very  strong indications here that only contracted tobaccos will be bought," said  Van Wyk. "Lower plant positions are unwanted." The rains that have  so damaged the Malawi and Zimbabwe crop have not affected Zambian  tobacco, Van Wyk says. "We haven't had any floods! We had a very dry  start to the season, but in the last five weeks rain has not been in short  supply." Zambia produces burley, flue-cured and fire-cured. So how much will Americans produce? On February 2, just before the  annual meeting, Universal Leaf issued its final estimate for 2014 and its  initial projection for 2015. For flue-cured, it estimated that 525 million  pounds were produced last year and 485 million pounds would be  produced in 2015. That would be a decrease of only eight percent,  low compared to almost all other projections. It estimates 2014  American burley production at just under 200 million pounds and  projects 2015 production at 176 million pounds, an 11 percent  decrease, which again is a more optimistic figure than has been  going around. In other news from the TGANC Annual Meeting: A group of 38 young tobacco growers and agriculture professionals  participated in the 2015 N.C. State Tobacco Short Course, which  concluded at the TGANC meeting. "Since the tobacco industry faces  continuous change, we need to make sure our younger farmers, their  advisors and other allied industry representatives are able to focus on how  to attain efficient quality tobacco production," says W.K. "Bill" Collins, the retired director of N.C. State Tobacco Extension program. Co-directing  the program with Collins was Loren Fisher. The Short Course was conducted  by the N.C. Tobacco Foundation in partnership with the College of Agriculture  and Life Sciences at N.C. State University. It was funded with a grant by the  N.C. Tobacco Research Commission from the 10-cent per hundred pounds  of tobacco sold via a self-assessment paid at the point-of-sale. Out-of- state participants pay their own expenses. This year's group was the most  diverse yet, including participants from Louisiana, South  Carolina and China, though the majority were North Carolinians.  Following are the participants: --FARMERS: N.C.--Zach Morris of Bertie Co.; Hunter Walters of Bladen Co.;  Channing and Grayson Foley, of Columbus Co.; Will Brinkley of  Davidson Co.; Taylor Fitzpatrick and Taylor Ray of Franklin Co.; Daniel  Watkins of Harnett Co.; Jason Barbour, Blake Thomas, and Chance Thornton  of Johnston Co.; Bryan Salmons of Nash Co.; David Thomas of Person Co.;  Kevin Dixon and Derick Lasley of Rockingham Co.; Zack Boles of Stokes  Co.; and Rob Fulghum, Patrick Owens and Thomas Webb of Wilson Co. Out- of-state tobacco farmers: Brothers Alan Gravois, Jr., and Brandon  Gravois, both of St. James Parish, Louisiana; Tim Griggs of Hartsville,  S.C., and Ben Teal of Patrick, S.C. --GOVERNMENT: N.C. Department of Agriculture--Mike Wilder,  regional agronomist; Jonathan Barbour, field crop supervisor of the  Central Crops Research Station at Clayton; and Tobacco Technicians  R.T. Elliott, Robert Overton and John Shotwell, all of the Oxford  Tobacco Research Station at Oxford. Cooperative Extension  Service--Jarrett Hurry of Bertie Co.; Gary Cross of Granville Co.; and  John Ivey of Guilford Co. --INDUSTRY: Crop Consultants--Carson Barnhill and John Hoffner of  Carolina Precision Consulting of Wake Co; Scott Uzzell of Fowler Crop  Consulting, Inc. of Halifax Co; and Sarah Arthur of Jones Co. Tobacco  Services--Cory Wade of Coastal AgroBusiness of Greenville. N.C. State  University Student: Hailey Askew of Nash Co. Note: Zanhoug Gan of  China Tobacco International, Raleigh, N.C., also participated in  the event.

THE CHALLENGE OF CONTRACTING IN 2015

Inventories growing--A worker loads boxes of burley leaf at a warehouse of the Burley Stabilization Corporation in Springfield, Tn.

This crop seems to just keep getting smaller. I have no solid numbers, but my sources tell me that a reduction of 25 percent in pounds from 2014 could well be in the offing for flue-cured, at least among those companies who contracted last year. Burley contracting, which is not as far along, is said to be a little stronger, but a big cut may be on the way there as well.

The main reason for this lack of company interest in the 2015 is the unexpectedly high production in 2014, especially for flue-cured. In January, USDA raised its already high total volume estimate for the 2014 flue-cured crop, pegging it at 573 million pounds, up seven percent from its previous forecast and 26 percent higher than last year. Harvested flue-cured acres totaled 245,300 acres in 2014, said USDA, up six percent from the previous forecast and seven percent above a year ago. Yields averaged 2,335 pounds per acre, 17 pounds above the last forecast and 349 pounds more than in 2013.

Burley production totaled 213 million pounds, according to USDA. That was one percent more than the forecast and 11 percent above last year. Growers were believed to have harvested 101,500 acres, up three percent from the previous forecast and three percent above 2013. Yields averaged 2,100 pounds per acre, 52 pounds below the previous forecast but 156 pounds above a year ago. Note: There is considerable disagreement with the production estimate for this type, with credible suggestions made that around 200 million pounds would be closer to the mark.

Among our competitors, meanwhile, the outlook is mixed. Brazil has a big crop too, and it is being marketed now. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has what was expected to be a slightly bigger crop than in 2014 (which itself had been much bigger than the crop in 2013). But heavy rains have so reduced the production potential that the 485 million pound target may not be achieved. Marketing in Zimbabwe will begin soon. Production loss from the weather there could still conceivably affect our contracts.

The rain in Malawi has been even heavier. Some plantings have been washed away entirely, and the rest are showing the effects of too much precipitation. "Leaching of nitrogenous fertilizer is an issue, and curing the leaf in this weather is problematic," said the Malawi Tobacco Commission. Most of Malawi's tobacco is burley, and it produces flavor leaf. So a major shortfall there could improve the market for American burley.

Reports from the fields: Greenhouse seeding is virtually complete in Florida and Georgia, and some plants are up and growing, says J. Michael Moore, Georgia Extension tobacco specialist...There have been very few reports of greenhouse seeding in North Carolina, says Loren Fisher, N.C. Extension tobacco specialist. He expects seeding to get going in about 10 days...Seeding of dark tobacco greenhouses in Kentucky and Tennessee might begin in late February, but the bulk will take place from March 15, says Andy Bailey, dark tobacco specialist. He thinks plantings for 2015 could be down, but only by a few percentage points. The market appears relatively stable.

Organic to the rescue? There is a little good news from the organic tobacco front. Farmers have told me that Santa Fe has increased its contract volumes, although I haven't confirmed that yet. Also, a new company based in Switzerland has reportedly contracted for a substantial amount of organic American flue-cured and burley for 2015, which would be good news indeed. However, I can't tell you much else now--it has been very difficult to get information from this company. Hopefully, I can provide more details in future issues.
 

Presidio now labeled. Valent has obtained a tobacco label for Presidio for control of black shank, and you can use it this season. Extension specialists strongly recommend that it be used in rotation or combination with an alternate chemical, like Ridomil Gold or Ultra Flourish. Presidio can also be used to control blue mold.

An Expo in Tennessee: The Tennessee-Kentucky Tobacco Expo will be held on Tuesday, February 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Robertson County Fairgrounds, 4635 Highway 41 North, Springfield, Tn. There will be a trade show and GAP recertification at 8 a.m. and 1:30 (and additional sessions may be held as needed). Also, Andy Bailey, K-T Extension tobacco specialist, will speak on dark and burley varieties and Eric Walker, K-T Extension tobacco specialist, will speak on managing tobacco diseases.

Welcome to the February I issue of Tobacco Farmer Newsletter. If you haven't signed on to receive it regularly or need to change an address, you can call me at 919-789-4631 or email me at chrisbickers@gmail.com. Thanks--Chris Bickers

A really big show in North Carolina: The Southern Farm Show will take place beginning 8 a.m., February 4, at the N.C. State Fair Grounds in Raleigh and end February 6 with the annual meeting of the N.C. Tobacco Growers Assn. A list of exhibits of special interest to tobacco farmers follows.  

 Jim Graham Bldg.  

• 221 (also 8204) Taylor Mfg. Curing barns and wood furnaces.
• 222 Evans Mactavish Agricraft and World Tobacco. Bulk fertilizer handling equipment. Curing barns. 
• 227 Kelley Mfg. Co. Agricultural equipment.
• 704 (also 8131) Agri Supply. Agricultural materials.
• 807 Mechanical Transplanter Co. Transplanters, seeding equipment.
• 808-9 BulkTobac (Gas Fired Products). Curing equipment and controls, poultry brooders, pig heating, space heaters.

Kerr Scott Bldg. 

• 1002 TriEst Ag Group (Formerly Hendrix and Dail). Fumigation supplies.
• 1005 Flue Cured Tobacco Services. Curing controls.
• 1015 Yara North America. Fertility products.
• 1104 GoldLeaf Seed Co. Tobacco seed.
• 1114 Transplant Systems. Greenhouse systems.  
• 1116 Cross Creek Seed. Tobacco seed.
• 1121 AAA Scale Co.
• 1201 Carolina Greenhouse & Soil Company.
• 1202 Reddick Equipment Company Inc.
• 1302 Mid-Atlantic Irrigation.

Exposition Bldg.

• 3127 (also 8611) Benchmark Buildings & Irrigation Inc. Pre-fabricated metal buildings, transplanters and irrigation equipment.
• 3135 Southern Container Corporation of Wilson. Bale sheets and packaging.  
• 3522 First Products Inc. Fertilizer boxes for cultivators and tool bars.
• 3605 MarCo Mfg. Tobacco machinery.
• 3714 Cureco, Inc. Curing controls.

Tent 1

• 5007 ABI Irrigation. Irrigation equipment.
• 5023 Walters Air Assist Plant Release System. Plant release system.
• 5110 Britt Technical Services, Inc. Rotem Curing Controls.

Scott Tent

• 7025 Drexel Chemical Company. Sucker control chemicals.
• 7323 Berger. Plant growing mixtures.
• 7327 Teeterville Garage & Weighing Systems. Moisture controllers for tobacco barns and weighing scales.

Outdoors  

• 8003 Equipmax. Tobacco spray equipment.
• 8122 Carolina Tobacco Services. Curing barns, mechanical harvesters, heat exchangers.  
• 8204 Wilson Manufacturing. Farm trailers. Also in the exhibit will be a Taylor Tobacco Barn.
• 8217 Granville Equipment. Tobacco machinery.
• 8301 World Tobacco. Tobacco machinery.
• 8313 De Cloet SRL. Tobacco machinery. 
• 8701 Tytun Ltd. Bulk flue-curing barns.
• 8712 Long Tobacco Barn Co. Bulk tobacco curing barns. 
• 8715 Evencure Systems. Curing controls.

Visit us at the Southern Farm Show, Exhibit # 808-809 Graham Bldg.

Visit our booth at the Southern Farm Show Exhibit # 1104.

Visit us at the Southern Farm Show Exhibit # 3714.

See our products at the Benchmark outdoor booth at the Southern Farm Show, Exhibit 3127.

Visit our booth at the Southern Farm Show, Exhibit # 8204.

FARMERS TOBACCO WAREHOUSE  209 Harding St., Danville, Ky. PH: 859-236-4932 Full-service burley warehouse Jerry Rankin, Owner  Opening Tuesday, November 25 at 9:30 a.m. Call for information.

Visit our booth at the Southern Farm Show, Exhibit # 8301.

Visit our booth at the Southern Farm Show, Exhibit # 8701.

UPCOMING GAP RECERTIFICATION MEETINGS KENTUCKY (Burley) February 3, 6 p.m. Lincoln County Extension Office, 104 Metker Trail, Stanford, Ky. Lincoln County. Contact (606) 365-2459 or dgrigson@uky.edu.  February 5, 9:30 a.m. Graves County Extension Office, 251 Housman St., Mayfield, Ky. Graves County. Contact trent.murdock@uky.edu or 270-753-1452. February 12, 6 p.m. Montgomery County Extension Office, 106 East Locust St., Mt Sterling, Ky. Montgomery County. Contact (859)-498-8741 or rcatchen@uky.edu. February 19, 12 p.m. Green County Extension Office, 298 Happyville Rd., Greensburg, Ky. Green County. Contact (270)-932-5311 or ricky.arnett@uky.edu. February 19, 5 p.m. RECC Building, 2405 North Main St., Jamestown, Ky. Russell County. Contact or chelsey.pickens@ uky.edu. February 23, 4:30 p.m. Muhlenberg County  Extension Office, 3690 State Route 1380, Central City, Ky. Muhlenberg County. Contact 270-338-3124 or drsimpso@uky.edu. February 24, 6 p.m. Trigg County Recreation Complex, 303 Complex Rd., Cadiz, Ky. Trigg County. Contact 270-365-2787 or smbogl2@ uky.edu.  February 24, 6 p.m. Maysville Community College, 1755 U.S. 68, Maysville, Ky. Maysville County. Contact (606) 564-6808 or mcampbel@uky.edu. February 25, 10 a.m. Breckinridge County Extension Office, 1377 Hwy 261 So., Hardinsburg, Ky. Breckinridge County. Contact (270) 756-2182 or cmhinton@uky.edu. February 25, 1 p.m. Daviess County Extension Office, 4800A New Hartford Rd., Owensboro, Ky. Daviess County. Contact 270-685-8480 or chardy@uky.edu. February 26, 6:30 p.m. Pendleton County Extension Office, 45 David Pribble Dr., Falmouth, Ky. Pendleton County. Contact (859) 654-3395 or lindie.huffman@uky.edu. March 10, 6 p.m. Allen County Extension Office, 200 East Main St., Scottsville, Ky. Allen County. Contact (270) 237-3146 or sosborne@uky.edu. March 10, 6 p.m. Warren County Extension Office, 3132 Nashville Rd., Bowling Green, Ky. Warren County. Contact (270) 842-1681 or jcoles@uky.edu. March 12, 6:30 p.m. Wolfe County Extension Office, No. Washington St., Campton, Ky. Wolfe County. Contact (606) 668-3712 or daniel.wilson@uky.edu. March 13, 9 a.m. University of Kentucky Research and Education Center, 1205 Hopkinsville St., Princeton, Ky. Caldwell County. Contact 270-365-7541 or abailey@uky.edu. March 19, 6:30 p.m. Owen County Extension Office, 265 Ellis Hwy., Owenton, Ky. Owen County. Contact (502) 484-5703 or steve.musen@uky.edu.  Dark (Tennessee and Kentucky) February 10, 5 p.m. Stewart Co. Farm Bureau Bldg., 313 Spring St., Dover, Tn. Stewart County. Contact 931-648-5725 or jevans1@utk.edu. The GAP session will be followed by a dinner meeting with updates on burley and dark. February 24, 2 p.m. McLean County Extension Office, 335 West 7th St., Calhoun, Ky. Contact 270-273-3690 or cary.hicks@uky.edu.  February 26, 2 p.m. Logan County Extension Office, 255 John Paul Rd., Russellville, Ky. Contact 270-726-6323 or leann.martin@uky.edu. TENNESSEE  Burley  February 3, (Two sessions) 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Additional GAP sessions may be held. Robertson Co. Fairgrounds Bldg., Hwy 41, Springfield, Tn. Robertson County. Contact 615-384-7936 or pehart@utk.edu.       February 9, 10 a.m. Holston Electric Auditorium, 1200 West Main St., Rogersville, Tn. Hawkins County. Contact 423 272 7241 or jprice58@utk.edu. February 12, 10 a.m. Smith County Ag Center, 159 Ag Center Ln., Carthage, Tn. Smith County. Contact 615-418-6472 or cbhicks@utk.edu. February 12, 6 p.m. Ag Pavillion, 262 W. McMurray Blvd., Hartsville, Tn. Trousdale County. Contact 615-374-2421 or jevitts@utk.edu. March 3, 6 p.m. Pickett County Agricultural Learning Center, 155 Skyline Dr., Byrdstown, Tn. Pickett County. Contact 931-954-3310 or Bgarrett4@utk.edu. INDIANA (All burley) February 23, 6 p.m. Switzerland County Extension Office, 708 West Seminary St., Vevay, In. Switzerland County. Contact (812) 427-3152 or keweaver@purdue.edu.  March 9, 1 p.m. Orange County Community Center, 1075 Sandy Hook Rd., Paoli, In. Orange County. Contact (812) 723-7107 or berg31@purdue.edu. OHIO (All burley) March 11, (Two sessions) 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Southern Hills Career & Tech Ctr. Board Ofc., 9193 Hamer Rd., Georgetown, Ohio. Brown County. Contact 937-544-2339 or rowe.316@osu.edu. March 16, 6:30 a.m. Manchester High School, 130 Wayne Frye Dr., Manchester, Oh. Adams County. Contact 937-544-2339 or  rowe.316@osu.edu.  March 16, 1:30. Frisch's Restaurant, 11157 St. Rt. 41, West Union, Oh. Adams County. Contact 937-544-2339 or rowe.316@osu.edu. NORTH CAROLINA (Flue-cured) February 6, 1 p.m. Tobacco Growers Association of N.C. Annual Meeting, N.C. State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, N.C. Contact 919-513-0904 or matthew_vann@ncsu.edu. GEORGIA (Flue-cured) February 16, 12:45 p.m. Tifton Campus Conference Center, Small Auditorium, RDC Rd., Tifton, Ga. Tift County. Contact 229 392 6424 or jmmoore@uga.edu. March 5, 1 p.m. Nashville Community Center, 102 N. Jefferson St., Nashville, Ga. Berrien County. Contact 229 392 6424 orjmmoore@uga.edu.  SOUTH CAROLINA (Flue-cured) February 17, 12:45 p.m. Woodhaven (behind Jimmy B's Restaurant, across from Auto Zone), 1963 Highway 76, Marion, S.C. Marion County. Contact 229 392 6424 or jmmoore@uga.edu.   VIRGINIA (Flue-cured)  February 12, 10 a.m. Midway Baptist Church, 2595 Midway Road, Phenix, Va. Charlotte County. Contact 434-292-5331 or threed@exchange.vt.edu.