Success StoryDevelopment of Production Recommendations and Assistance in the Production of Connecticut Broadleaf Cigar Wrapper Tobacco



Development of Production Recommendations and Assistance in the Production of Connecticut Broadleaf Cigar Wrapper Tobacco

Author: William Bailey

Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences

Major Program: Tobacco

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Although burley and dark tobacco are the primary tobacco types grown in Kentucky, a new type of tobacco called Connecticut Broadleaf began to be produced in Kentucky on a very small scale in 2018 and continues today.  This new type of tobacco is specifically suited for production of cigar wrappers, and commands a very high price per pound if cigar wrapper grades are produced.  This new type of tobacco had been grown in Connecticut and Massachusetts, but not in Kentucky prior to 2018, and since it was used for delicate cigar wrapper production, production practices were likely to be quite different from recommendations that have long established for burley and dark tobacco.  I have been developing research projects that focus on developing production recommendations for Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco grown in Kentucky.  Research projects focusing on variety performance, nitrogen application rates, and fungicide use have been conducted since 2019.  In 2020 and 2021, research has been expanded to curing strategies also.  This research has led to the addition of an new chapter specifically devoted to cigar wrapper tobacco in the latest 2021-2022 edition of ID-160 (Burley and Dark Tobacco Production Guide).  In addition to providing new recommendations for Connecticut Broadleaf cigar wrapper production in Kentucky and Tennessee, I have also spent significant time providing guidance for production of this type of tobacco to growers in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, and Indiana.






Stories by William Bailey


Kentucky Tobacco Information Dissemination for Tobacco Growers in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Connecticut

about 1 years ago by William Bailey

Kentucky is one of only 5 states left that have extension specialists devoted to tobacco applied res... Read More


Applied Tobacco Research and Extension involvement in GAP Training for Tobacco Growers

about 1 years ago by William Bailey

Tobacco provides nearly $270 million annually to the Kentucky Agricultural economy. All tobacco grow... Read More


Stories by Plant and Soil Sciences


2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short Course Creates over $50,000 in Additional Profits

2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short Course Creates over $50,000 in Additional Profits

about 1 years ago by Jimmy Henning

2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short CourseJeff Lehmkuhler, Katie VanValin, Michelle Arnold, Jimmy Henn... Read More


Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

about 1 years ago by Jimmy Henning

UK Specialist/Agent/Industry Partnership Results in successful hay day at the Robinson Center for Ap... Read More