Plants up and growing in the Deep South! The last greenhouse in Georgia was seeded around the February 12 at about the same time that the first clipping of a greenhouse in the state (above) took place. Photo courtesy of University of Georgia/J. Michael Moore.
Sunshine: In North Carolina, it’s recommended that you seed your greenhouse when five consecutive days of good sunlight are predicted. “Cloudy days (in my opinion) were the number one issue we faced in the early part of the greenhouse season in 2020,” says Matthew Vann, Extension tobacco specialist. “There were isolated cases where it created variable growth because of the variable germination. We’re likely to have quicker and more uniform seed germination when sunlight is at its maximum.”
How to manage greenhouse temperature: "Do not let temperatures in the greenhouse climb above 90°F at any time," says Vann. "Cooler greenhouses (<68°F) will slow down or delay germination.” However, once maximum germination is achieved, temperatures can be lowered to 55°F, if desired. "Constant temperatures will also slow down or delay germination,” Vann says. “Thus, fluctuation between 68 and 86°F is critical."
The outlook for burley is not looking so good, but Pat Raines of Seaman, Ohio, plans to grow about the same amount this season as last, assuming contracts are available. "I had my best crop in four years in 2020," Raines says.
There’s been a rush to planting Connecticut broadleaf (CBL) in states other than Connecticut the last two years, but that may slow some in 2021. At least, that is what Extension tobacco specialist Andy Bailey predicts in the dark tobacco-growing areas of Kentucky-Tennessee, where the hopes were high for the type a year ago. CBL may yet have a place in the “Black Patch,” but Bailey is anticipating only about 1,500 acres of CBL this season, half of what was grown there in 2020.
How much tobacco does the trade expect from the U.S. this season? The Universal Leaf projections are usually a good indication. The current one projects a 20.5 percent increase for flue-cured but no change for burley.
Boon for growers? Imperial Tobacco (ITG) plans to place its marketing emphasis over the next five years on traditional cigarettes after several years of emphasizing non-traditional products. “We have developed highly detailed brand and market plans to support this approach and will increase investment behind a focused set of operational levers to strengthen performance and unlock value,” said ITG Chief Executive Stefan Bomhard late in January. Cigarettes contain more leaf than any non-traditional product.
On the other hand, British American Tobacco (BAT) will continue in 2021 its policy of de-emphasizing cigarettes. “BAT’s purpose is to build ‘A Better Tomorrow’ by reducing the health impact of its business,” said Jack Bowles, Chief Executive at BAT earlier this year. That entails: Committing to providing adult consumers with a wide range of enjoyable and less risky products; Continuing to be clear that combustible cigarettes pose serious health risks, and the only way to avoid these risks is not to start or to quit, and Encouraging those who otherwise continue to smoke, to switch completely to scientifically- substantiated, reduced-risk alternatives.
Agronomist appointments: Maythem AL-Amery has been chosen to take the position of Team Leader of the Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation in Tillsonburg, Ontario. He completed his graduate work at the University of Kentucky in Plant and Soil Sciences. He replaces Mitchell Richmond. TFN is informed that Richmond will soon become the Tennessee Extension tobacco specialist stationed in Knoxville, although a formal announcement has not been made.
