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Weather and Management Changes Could Aid Tobacco
Curing
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Sept. 7, 2007) – Changes in the weather pattern
for the weekend and early next week could help tobacco producers
who have been struggling to cure their crop during recent weeks
of hot, dry conditions.
Fast-curing burley tobacco is giving producers yellowish,
variegated leaves this
season instead of the desired tan or brown uniform leaves.
Growers, however, have been employing certain management
techniques to reduce the problem.
Tobacco that was harvested and hung in barns under the recent
hot, dry conditions has a tendency to cure very rapidly,
especially under windy conditions. So, producers have been
closing tobacco barn doors to reduce the effect of overdrying
tobacco. However, weekend weather changes will mean a change in
management techniques.
The weather models currently are indicating increased moisture
and rainfall across the state through next week, said Tom
Priddy, agricultural meteorologist with the University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture.
The unrelenting heat that has held a tight grip on Kentucky
gradually will submit to a series of disturbances that will move
through the region during the next several days, causing
temperatures to slide back into the 80s and by late next week
into the 70s, he said. The potential for significant rainfall is
not as bright, but chances of showers are in the forecast for
the next several days.
As a result, tobacco growers should try to open vent doors at
night or during periods of high humidity, and keep them closed
in dry periods during the day.
"The idea is to allow the moisture of evenings and rainy days to
migrate into the curing structure and bring the tobacco into
"case" or "order" which means leaves being
in a pliable or non-shattering condition," said Gary Palmer, UK
Extension Tobacco Specialist.
"For those who want to wet down the ground of the barn to add
humidity, do this in the late afternoon or early evening when
the added moisture will work for you and not against you as the
calm winds and higher outside humidity at night will let more of
the added moisture remain in the barn."
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Contact: Tom Priddy, 859-257-3000, ext. 300
Gary Palmer, 859-257-8667
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of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
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to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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