In Kentucky, 85 percent to 95 percent of the expected acreage has been transplanted, thanks in part to a dry spell that allowed good progress in the field. “Now, we are in a wetter pattern,” says Bob Pearce, Kentucky tobacco Extension specialist. “It has been rainy in the last week after a dry spell.” The crop is in good shape now, he says. “We have had no major problems yet.” Burley plantings in the state may decline some but probably not much. Dark growers looking for a substitute after cuts in contracts by dark buyers are in some cases turning to burley, says Pearce.
The last of Tennessee’s tobacco was going to the field at a fast pace in mid June. “Most of our tobacco has been transplanted,” says Mitchell Richmond, Tennessee Extension tobacco specialist. It might have been a little farther along but some farmers had to pause because of an earlier spell of dry weather. “They wanted to avoid transplant shock.” The tobacco that is now in the field is looking generally good. “We have had some rains recently and soil conditions are good,” Richmond says.
In the Black Patch of Kentucky and Tennessee, transplanting has been going well. Almost too well in some areas: Some of the dark tobacco is so far ahead in development that growers are slowing down their transplanting, says Andy Bailey, Kentucky-Tennessee Extension tobacco specialist.. “If you don’t, there’s a danger that you might have to harvest too much at one time at the end of the season.” That can put pressure on facilities and labor…It has been very dry in the last two weeks, says Bailey. “But we are getting some rain this week.”
In Virginia, the flue-cured crop is all planted. “We have been on the dry side, but we had significant rains last week, and the crop looks good now,” says Stephen Barts, Extension agent in Pittsylvania County, Va. “But we are about two weeks behind where we should be.” That was partly because at the end of May, there was a period of cool mornings that slowed growth. “But it is growing well now.” There have been no developments that would cause concern. Close to half of the flue-cured has been laid by…The Virginia Southside also grows some dark and broadleaf, and those crops are growing well also.
At times since the buyout, Pittsylvania County has had a number of burley growers. “But the demand is gone and we are down to one burley grower,” says Barts. “He has four or five acres.” A comeback of burley isn’t likely. “Burley isn’t a good fit under our conditions,” says Barts. “Our growers generally grew burley alongside flue-cured, and the labor needs of the two types frequently clashed. Also, farmers here weren’t able to get con-sistent good grades. Finally, burley didn’t yield well in the high temperatures that the Southside gets in the summer.”
Crop progress according to USDA-NASS and Extension (as of June 20): KY Burley/dark—9% planted; VA Burley--90% planted; NC Burley--84% planted; SC—9% topped; GA–11% topped; VA Flue--95% planted.
NEWS FROM OVERSEAS
In Zimbabwe, leaf sales have exceeded the record. But farmers are unimpressed...The crop currently being marketed here has set a record for tobacco volume sold in a single season--and the market still has a few sales to go. According to the Associated Press, the Zimbabwean government announced in mid June that 261 million kilograms of tobacco [almost all flue cured] had been sold since the market opened in March. The previous record of 259 million kilograms was set in 2019. But growers found little cheer in the news. “This is a momentous achievement for the sector [as a whole], but the benefits to farmers are minimal,” said George Seremwe, president of the Zimbabwe growers association. “It is worrying that most farmers are heavily indebted. We would be happier if this tobacco success story translates to improved livelihoods for farmers.”
DATES TO REMEMBER
- The 2023 Tobacco, Beef, and More Field Day will be held June 29 starting at 8 AM at the UT Highland Rim Research & Education Center in Springfield, TN. A trade show will be held in the morning. More information? Go to highlandrim. tennessee. edu or call Rita Hall at 615-382-3130.
- The 2023 SC Tobacco Tour is scheduled for July 11 and 12 starting with supper in Georgetown at 6:30 PM. The tour will begin on July 12 at 9 AM in Georgetown County. It will include lunch at the Pee Dee REC around noon and end in Sumter County around 3:30. Register at form.jotform. com/231344605453148. More information? Call 843-222-8701.
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