Growing Burley Tobacco in a Post Buyout Environment Dr. Gary Palmer University of Kentucky

Good Agricultural Practices Produced in a timely manner Produced in a timely manner  Good management essential Use of agronomically sound practices Use of agronomically sound practices Economically viable returns Economically viable returns  High yield per acre Reduce Environmental Impact of Production Reduce Environmental Impact of Production

What Will the Term Quality Mean? Desirable for buyer Desirable for buyer  Contracted amount supplied  Cured properly  Free of foreign material  Low in undesirable elements  Nornicotine  Nitrosamines  nitrate & nitrites  Low pesticide residue No unlabeled pesticidesNo unlabeled pesticides No excessive residues of labeled chemicalsNo excessive residues of labeled chemicals

Timely Production Seeding so that plants will be ready to set on time Seeding so that plants will be ready to set on time  Watch weather reports to reduce gas expense Controlling environment to minimize temperature & disease related damage Controlling environment to minimize temperature & disease related damage Disease prevention Disease prevention  To reduce delays  To improve transplant quality

Terramaster for pythium control

Transplant on time Can improve yield Can improve yield Reduce disease incidence Reduce disease incidence  Blue mold  Virus complex Some curing concerns Some curing concerns What’s the difference between a good farmer and a bad farmer?

Varieties Will Be Screened Varieties may have some plants in the population that produce a high amount of nornicotine () Varieties may have some plants in the population that produce a high amount of nornicotine (Converters) Nornicotine may lead to NNN (Nitrosonornicotine): one of the Tobacco Specific NitrosAmines Nornicotine may lead to NNN (Nitrosonornicotine): one of the Tobacco Specific NitrosAmines By cleaning up the variety so that most plants have a low level, NNN will develop at only a low level By cleaning up the variety so that most plants have a low level, NNN will develop at only a low level

Some Varieties Will Be Dropped Screening is expensive and older varieties would cost too much to justify upkeep Screening is expensive and older varieties would cost too much to justify upkeep Good alternatives are available to replace most older varieties Good alternatives are available to replace most older varieties  A good disease package will be essential  Use of some varieties may drop  14 x L8 High managementHigh management Tendency to initiate suckers earlyTendency to initiate suckers early  KY 907 Lodging & qualityLodging & quality  TN 86 QualityQuality  Public varieties may not be screened  Make sure that the variety you use has been screened

“LC” Varieties Screened varieties Re-released as “LC” varieties   “LC” varieties available to growers in 2005   TN 90LC, TN 86LC, TN 97LC, KT 200LC, KY 907LC   KY 14LC, KY17LC, KY 14 X L8LC NO difference except for conversion Same for yield, quality, disease resistance   TN 90 “LC” is still TN 90

Burley Tobacco Variety Trial Across 8 Locations – 4 Grades Locations: Clinton, Henry, Taylor (3), Trimble(2) & Wayne Counties

Nitrogen Use Optimum levels   Soil Level of NLbs. N/ac   High   Medium   Low

Nitrogen Changes in Competing Countries Brazil Brazil   Changes   Rate From 250 lb/a To 150 lb/a   Type From Ammonium Nitrate & Urea To Soda Potash (100% Nitrate Nitrogen)

Effects of Nitrogen Rate on Burley Yield Madison Co. – Gregg Harris Farm All plots received 450 lb/a Ammonium Nitrate Broadcast followed by the remainder of the nitrogen shortly after transplanting. AN = Ammonium Nitrate is a calcium/potassium nitrate mix

Disease Management Crop Rotation Crop Rotation Prevention Prevention Conservation Tillage Conservation Tillage  Utilization of disease free land

Black Shank:  Rotation  Resistant Varieties  Ridomil  Sanitation Blue Mold  Preventative  Acrobat  Actigard  Avoid  Shade  Low wet areas  Infected Transplants

Controlling Red Aphids Admire Admire Platinum Platinum

Pesticide Concerns Illegal pesticides Illegal pesticides  Could void contract Indiscriminant use of labeled pesticides Indiscriminant use of labeled pesticides  Endosulfan (Golden Leaf)  MH

Recommended Sucker Control 1.5 gal MH +.5 gal of either Prime + or Butralin 1.5 gal MH +.5 gal of either Prime + or Butralin Coarse Nozzles Coarse Nozzles  TG-3 if tractor mounted sprayer or high clearance sprayer in rough terrain  TG-5 if high clearance on level ground

Consistent Supply

Topping Top can vary by company Top can vary by company  May change in the future Top to leaves Top to leaves  For companies looking for more tips Topping height can influence other factors Topping height can influence other factors  Leaf spread  Cured leaf color  Root development  Nicotine levels  Disease incidence

Harvest date Harvest mature tobacco  Usually at 4 weeks after topping  Weather may delay  Late maturing varieties may need more time Quality Yield

Harvest Problems Avoid Green Avoid Green Sunburn Sunburn Mud Mud

Curing Burley Tobacco

Curing Problem Low humidity/high temperature   Drying, not a cure Low humidity/satisfactory temperature   Variegated, piebald or green tobacco Low or high humidity/low temperature   Green tobacco High humidity/high temperature   House burn, microbial growth and excessive weight loss

Percentage of Tobacco Stripped into Each Grade from 8 Locations Locations: Clinton, Henry, Taylor (3), Trimble(2) & Wayne Counties

“Crop Throw” Typical Typical  Flyings – 4 leaves  Lugs – 9 leaves  Leaf – 8 leaves  Tips – 4 leaves Contract Demand  Flyings – 1-3 leaves  Lugs – 4-6 leaves  Leaf – leaves  Tips – 4-6 leaves

Market Prep & Storage Wait till cure is complete Wait till cure is complete  No fat stems Avoid Avoid  High moisture  High pressure during baling  Non-tobacco related material Storage Storage  Minimal amount of time  Avoid plastic  Provide ventilation