Author: Robert Pearce
Major Program: Tobacco
Frogeye leaf spot has historically been a relatively low impact disease for tobacco growers until recently. In the past 4 to 5 years we have seen increasing problems in some areas of the states with significant losses of leaf weight and quality observed by a number of growers. In addition labelled pesticides for this problem do not appear to be performing as expected in field conditions leading to concerns about possible resistance of the disease to current controls. I have been working wi
US Tobacco GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) is an industry led program designed to insure that tobacco growers in the United States are well informed and follow the best practices for the production of all types of tobacco. Kentucky is the second leading producer of tobacco behind North Carolina, but has the most tobacco growers of any state due to the relatively smaller farm size. Tobacco growers are required to attend an annual training session conducted by Cooperative Extension Specialists.
Author: Carol Hinton
The tobacco producers in area began calling in after they received the information from the Tobacco GAP meeting that was held in our county. THE on Farm AUDIT was now to be a fee based program. This new program is not a requirement but maybe a check mark that the company makes to keep or not keep a grower on their program.
Author: Jay Stone
Crop production is vital to the ag economy in Christian county, and on a per acre basis, tobacco remains the most valuable crop in the county. Nearly 7,900 acres are grown by 113 farmers, representing burley, dark-air, and dark fired tobacco.In an effort to aid these producers in becoming more efficient in their operations, extension programming has mounted efforts to aid producers in the areas of disease control, variety selection, fertility management, and evaluation of tillage requirements. I
Author: William Bailey
There is a growing population of Amish/Mennonite residents in western Kentucky, and many of these residents are tobacco growers. Currently, all tobacco growers are required to comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards set forth by the U.S. Tobacco GAP Program. One of the major requirements for GAP compliance is attending an annual grower training. This training covers areas of environmental sustainability, labor sustainability (worker safety,etc.), and agronomic t
Author: Gary Hamilton
The face of tobacco production has changed since 1998 with the introduction of the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. Every year fewer farmers choose to raise this once very important crop that drove and dominated our agriculture economy. Those farmers that still remain and strive to meet the needs of the tobacco industry still need the assistance provided by the University of Kentucky Extension Service. This year Montgomery, Bath, Nicholas and Fleming County Extension Services combined effort
Author: Kevin Perkins
According to the last USDA census, Trimble County had 439 farms on 55,632 acres. This made up 57.3 % of the county land. In relation to total crop sales of $6,700,000, tobacco represented 42%. This makes it the number one cash crop in the county. Since that time tobacco production has declined. Many farmers have or are converting their tobacco acres into other areas of farming income. For those that haven't, they are required to take GAP(Good Agriculture Practices) Training. This training al
Author: Jay Hettmansperger
The Garrard County Extension Service has sponsored a local tobacco cutting contest for 36 years. The contest is one of the communities' largets events of the year with over 400 people attending. Tobacco production has declined dramaticaly since the buyout in the year 2000 but tobacco is still a major source of income for farmers in Garrard County. The Cutting Contest is an community effort supportted by local businesses and individuals. The contest showcases the hard labor involved in
Author: Matthew Chadwick
The 2017 annual tobacco twilight tour was blessed with clear skies and a fresh breeze as producers came out for a late evening of education. Dr. Andy Bailey and his graduate students, Mitchell Richmond, and Andrea Keeney presented current and past research projects that effect in season decisions for producers. Attendees expressed that they appreciate the timeliness of this program while they are making mid-season decisions. Producers were also very complementary of the availability of Dr. Baile
Author: Gary Bell
Barren and Metcalfe counties are two of the top tobacco producing counties in Kentucky. Although, total production is down compared to previous years, tobacco still maintains it's spot as one of the top agricultural commodities in the region. Since 2014 all major tobacco companies have required producers to be trained in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in order to market tobacco. This is due to an increasing concern for consumer health as well as the health and safety of those that work in
Author: Christopher Schalk
