TOBACCO TRANSPLANTING PICKS UP IN THE DEEP SOUTH

A clipped seedling ready for transplanting, shown in a greenhouse in Florida. Photo courtesy of Speedling Inc. Three states have reported significant plantings so far: FLORIDA--Virtually all the tobacco in this state has been transplanted. Some has been in the field for as much as a month and is growing well, says J. Michael Moore, Extension specialist. GEORGIA--Transplanting continued this week except where the most rain fell, says Moore. So far, most of the tobacco was transplanted during the week before Easter. With good weather expected the rest of this week, the majority of the Georgia tobacco crop should be transplanted by Saturday night. SOUTH CAROLINA--Four percent of the flue-cured crop had been planted by April 12, USDA reported. In other tobacco news: Plants have done well in the greenhouse in Kentucky, says Bob Pearce, Kentucky Extension tobacco specialist. "There has been a little problem with dry cells, but no major issues. I would say we are about two weeks from transplanting." There was a lot of disappointment in the dismal prices offered at the market last season, he says. "Our quality was not our best because of the weather, and the market reflected it." The recent USDA estimate of 37,000 acres in Kentucky in 2020 may be too high. From co-pack to premix: Orondis Gold is now sold as a premix formulation for black shank control, rather than as a co-pack of a container of Orondis and a container of Ridomil Gold SL mixed as the co-pack was added to the transplant water. This eliminates the need to measure the two materials separately. Best use of Command 3ME? After transplanting, over the transplants and before grass seeds germinate, says J. Michael Moore, Georgia Extension tobacco specialist. "An application of two to 2.60 pints per acre helps reduce grass establishment between the plants in the drill." Some growers incorporate the Command. Don't do it. "This dilutes and buries the material too deeply in the soil and control is reduced," says Moore. Use Poast early while the grass you're trying to control is small and while the application can be made directly to the grass, says Moore. "Control of older and larger grass is much less effective." Rates are one to-1.5 pints an acre with the addition of a non-ionic surfactant. Managing labor  in a pandemic---One good idea from GAP Con-nections--Prepare a disaster contin-gency plan. "What will you do if 50 percent of your employees get sick and unable to work? Are there nearby farms who might be able to share resources in an emergency? Who will manage for a few weeks if you or another key manager are unable to leave your house or are hospitalized?" Communicate with your workforce. "COVID-19 is very fluid and changes rapidly. It is important to stay informed about local, state and federal guidelines, restrictions and rules."Regular communication with your workforce will make sure that they are informed also to help protect their health, their work and their families.  African markets uncertain:  Both Zimbabwe and Malawi tobacco markets should be at full throttle now, but they have been placed on hold by COVID 19 regulations. It is much to be wondered if auctions can be conducted at all in  Zim- babwe if "social distancing" is in effect. "It's inevitable there would be disruption to the marketing season, which relies on physical interaction between farmers and buyers at various auctions," said economist Victor Bhoroma  to  the East  African   newspaper of Kenya. Price may decline: "The price [in Zimbabwe] for the golden leaf may slump this season further from the average $2.03 per kilo for the 2019 season," said Bhoroma, pointing to the decline in global leaf consumption. "This will have dire consequences to the whole economy."