1. Overview of Burley Tobacco Production in the USA
Dr. Gary Palmer
University of Kentucky

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

3. What Will the Term Quality Mean?
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 pesticides
No excessive residues of labeled chemicals

4. Timely Production 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
Disease prevention
To reduce delays
To improve transplant quality

5. Terramaster for pythium control
Producers often described the root systems where terramaster had been applied

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

7. Some Varieties Will Be Dropped
Screening is expensive and older varieties would cost too much to justify upkeep
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 management
Tendency to initiate suckers early
KY 907
Lodging & quality
TN 86
Quality
Public varieties may not be screened
Make sure that the variety you use has been screened

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

9. Nitrogen Use Optimum levels Soil Level of N Lbs. N/ac High 150-200
Medium
Low

10. Nitrogen Changes in Competing Countries
Brazil
Changes
Rate
From 250 – 300 kg/ha
To 160 kg/ha
Type
From Ammonium Nitrate & Urea
To Soda Potash (100% Nitrate Nitrogen)

11. Effects of Nitrogen Source on Burley Yield Lincoln Co
Effects of Nitrogen Source on Burley Yield Lincoln Co. – Dan Cooper Farm
Number =kg/ha, U = Urea, AN = Ammonium Nitrate, CN=Calcium Nitrate, SN = Sodium Nitrate
is a calcium & potassium nitrate mix. Initial nitrogen was broadcast with addition sidedressed

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

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

14. Controlling Red Aphids
Admire
Platinum

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

16. Recommended Sucker Control
14 L/ha MH L/ha of either Prime+ or Butralin
Coarse Nozzles
Full cone spray pattern
Raindrop particle size
Size depend on speed of application equipment

17. Average MH Residues by State 1997-2003
Limited sample numbers on all but KY and TN
values are from warehouse sales only

18. Consistent Supply

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

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

21. Harvest Problems
Avoid Green
Sunburn
Mud

22. Curing Burley Tobacco

23. 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

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

25. “Crop Throw” 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

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