Tobacco is an important source of farm income in Todd County.  Todd County ranks 4^th in Kentucky for value of tobacco production at $13.3 million, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Challenges facing tobacco farmers include contract cuts, increased disease pressure during wet summers, and controlling insect pests.

A Dark Tobacco Production Meeting was held in January 2024 to offer farmers information that would help them overcome these challenges and remain profitable.  The program was organized by the Todd County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent and taught by the University of Kentucky Dark Tobacco Specialist.

Twenty-one tobacco farmers attended the program and learned new information about:

• Opportunities to increase burley production to offset decrease in contracted dark tobacco.
• Tobacco varieties resistant to angular leaf spot
• Angular leaf spot control trials and recommended control products
• Flea beetle control trials and recommended insecticides

 Following the meeting, three tobacco farmers contacted Todd County Extension for follow-up recommendations on insect and disease control to use in the 2024 growing season.