Tobacco Harvest Expected to be Better than in 2007

Source from:  maysville-online.com By BARBARA GOLDMAN, Staff Writer August 29, 2008 09/01/2008

Weather conditions are proving to be better this summer than last year for area burley tobacco farmers. "We had lots of rain early in the season," said Mason County Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent Bill Peterson. Peterson said currently it is looking like this years crop will be "average," still an improvement over last year's crop which endured drought conditions. Dr. William Bailey of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture said, "There's been much improvement from last year." In 2007, farmers experienced a severe drought that affected tobacco crops and production as well as livestock sales and hay production. Bailey explained that ideally tobacco needs a fairly dry start until June in order to allow the root system to develop deeper so that it can supply the tobacco. "It went out a little bit late and didn't develop a root system," said Peterson. Peterson said the problems with the root development were also affected by the hard rain received early in the season. The soil compaction didn't allow the roots to completely finish growth. The cool weather experienced after the rain also had an impact on the root development, he explained. A hot weekend in early July was another factor in root growth, according to Peterson who said the dry roots were unable to develop and hit a wall. "The roots take up the water and nutrients. If the roots don't get to completely develop, the tobacco can't develop and get water like it should," said Peterson. "The crop statewide, is probably about 10 days behind in the growth stage for the whole system," said Bailey. As the growing processes finishes, cutting, curing and housing is under way. Bailey said a lot of tobacco is being cut now and the harvest will continue into September or even late October. "The next big deal now, is curing. It's been good so far this year," said Peterson as he explained that growers don't want burley to occur too rapidly. "Last year was hot and dry. You didn't get good color. Hopefully good weather conditions will continue." Tobacco is cured for a minimum of six weeks, although the amount of time it takes does vary, according to Peterson. "Actually, less farmers are housing tobacco," said Peterson. Local farmers will be able to take their tobacco to one of two contract buying and receiving stations. Since the 2004 tobacco buyout that ended the auction system, farmers have taken their crop to receiving stations for sale. Initially, there were three stations located in Maysville and one in Ripley, Ohio. Two have since closed, one in Maysville and the Ripley location leaving only two remaining in Maysville. The markets are individual companies that decide when to receive the tobacco, said Peterson. Bailey said this year the tobacco market is experiencing average yields, while it was well below average last year. Peterson said that the cooler morning conditions are also helping the tobacco crop. "Tobacco so far is experiencing good weather conditions and is not overly loaded with moisture," said Peterson. "It could be beneficial to the final product this year." This year, according to Bailey, Kentucky farmers will harvest burley tobacco from about 69,000 acres. Forecasters expect that to yield 144.9 million pounds, 6 percent less than in 2007. "It's creeping down each year since the tobacco buyout," said Bailey. "It's a better yield than last year and much better quality for curing quality tobacco." Enditem