MAXIMIZE YOUR VARIETIES

 

Challenge for 2024 HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR VARIETIES The number of new, improved varieties has drastically increased in the last few years, particularly for flue-cured. Now, Extension specialists recommend that you treat these varieties like an arsenal in 2024 and arm yourself with as many that fit your needs. There could be several. In North Carolina, there will be eight to 10 varieties that will each account for five percent or more of the total crop this year, says Matthew Vann, N.C. Extension tobacco specialist. “High yield and a good disease package will still be important, but some varieties may be chosen mainly for agronomic characteristics.” Vann thinks NC 960 could be a frequent choice this season due to the good experiences of farmers who planted it last year, which was effectively its first season. In Georgia, J. Michael Moore, Georgia Extension tobacco specialist, thinks NC 960 could work out well also, along with NC 1226, thanks to their outstanding black shank resistance (see the January I issue of TFN.) He suggested then that disease resistant varieties might be a better choice than chemicals for control of diseases this year. In the Southside of Virginia, Stephen Barts, Extension agent in Pittsylvania County, Va., says PVH 2310 and K326 may fit in where rotations are good. In South Carolina, William Hardee, Extension tobacco specialist, says variety decisions should be made on a "per field" basis. He hopes that his farmers have utilized good record keeping to keep track of problem fields. He also recommended spreading the crop throw out by maturity. REPORT FROM OVERSEAS BRAZIL: Weather has reduced flue-cured yield 20.5%. All tobacco-growing areas in the south of Brazil were severely affected by weather conditions, according to a mid December report from the Kohltrade leaf company. In addition to hail, excessive rain has diminished quality. There are spots on the leaves due to the roots drowning in excess rain. Farmers were forced to harvest wet fields, and as a consequence, limited curing capacity will produce a higher percentage of mahoganies. Among the two major types: Flue-cured--Planted area is up, but the average yield in southern Brazil is estimated to be 20.5 percent lower compared to average crops. Weather patterns are not expected to get better as the season ends, so total green flue-cured volume should be around 475,000 tons. Burley--Weather conditions like the flue-cured area experienced are causing plants with weaker rooting systems to drop in the fields. This has forced farmers to collect and hang underdeveloped plants. Many farmers report leaves are rotting in the barns. The negative impact on green volume is over 20%, and it is estimated that Brazilian production will be around 39,000 tons. Lower yields will affect factory performance. Report on the early market: Small traders had begun purchasing the new crop by mid December at an inflated price. The overall quality of the lower stalk is reportedly poor due to the frequent inclusion of house-burned leaves, which farmers did not appear to be separating out in the grading process….Reason for optimism?: In Brazil, rainy crops often result in a good-quality upper stalk. That may happen this year--alkaloid tests in early areas are showing lower nicotine levels, as was hoped…In December, some companies began purchasing flue-cured, while others began purchasing burley as early as November. The cost of green products is expected to rise by 5 to 8%.   DATES TO REMEMBER Southern Farm Show, January 31 through February 2, N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, starting at 9 a.m. each day. Admission is free. Annual Meeting, Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina, 10 a.m., Friday, February 2, at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. A GAP training session will take place immediately afterward. GAP TRAINING MEETINGS: For information, call GAP at 865.622.4606, or email arochkes@gapconnections.com or contact your local Extension office. All meetings are in English.