Author: Clinton Hardy
Planning Unit: Daviess County CES
Major Program: Tobacco
Plan of Work: Agriculture Production, Management, and Environment
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Tobacco remains an important crop economically to hundreds of farms in Daviess County. Due to unknown reasons, dark air-cure tobacco contracts were reduced 48% in the spring of 2020 cutting the gross income by nearly half for our most lucrative tobacco type. To offset less tobacco income, some growers adopted a new type of tobacco for our area. Nearly 100 acres of Connecticut broadleaf cigar wrapper tobacco was grown in Daviess County in 2020 for the first time ever. Extension Tobacco specialist, Dr. Andy Bailey presented at the extension tobacco meeting of the habits of highly successful wrapper growers. He explained wrapper tobacco requires the highest quality and least amount of damage as possible. Growers took lessons of Andy to implement in the field as the goal was to exceed the gross revenue of burley if possible. In addition to the winter production meeting, the ANR summer newsletter contained additional information pertaining to sucker control and harvesting techniques to minimize leaf damage. Yield was less than other tobacco types, as anticipated, but the price was higher than other types, maintaining revenue levels for quality crops. Results were mixed across the board. Some growers indicated they will implement knowledge gained from hands on production experience and grow the crop again in 2021. Others are certain from their experience that the crop is not for them and will not grow it again this year.
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