Bluegrass Burley Stands up to the Heat

Source from:  tobaccofarmquarterly.com Monday, August 13, 2007 08/14/2007

The Kentucky burley tobacco crop continues to make a good stand despite the parched conditions that prevail throughout the southeast. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported from its Kentucky field office in Louisville that 61 percent of the crop was rated either good or excellent. Andother 24 percent is rated as fair. The dry weather is keeping blue mold in check. There are some reports of black shank, but the disease presence is not considered serious at this time. 67 percent of the burley in the field had been topped as of August 12, nine percent ahead of the crop at this time last season and ahead of the five year average of 60 percent. Ten percent of the burley had been cut, just ahead of the nine percent posted last year at this time and the five year average of nine percent. The dark tobacco crop is well on the way, with 84 percent at or past topping stage, compared to 74 percent at this time last year and 80 percent for the five-year average. Just five percent of the crop has been cut, ahead of last year's three percent but slightly behind the five-year average of six percent. Enditem