TOBACCO SUCCESS REQUIRES EFFICIENT AND QUALITY PRODUCTION

R.W. Sutton, Extension Ag. Economist,
D. T. Gooden, Extension Agronomist,
B. C. Johnson, Horry County Extension Agent

Tobacco producers are presently facing tremendous economic pressure. The massive quota cuts and extensive industry uncertainty are cause for this situation. There is no quick and simple answer for survival. Although success is not guaranteed, producers who make efficiency and quality their highest priorities will be the most likely to survive. We have selected 20 suggestions that might assist farmers during these times and improve their likelihood of perseverence.

1. Rental Rates: Pay attention to rental rates and use records to calculate what you can pay for renting quota. Based on Clemson budgets, be cautious above 35 cents. If you are in trouble with the current rental rates, share information with the quota holder - - you may not fully solve the problem but it could assist in negotiations.

2. Records, Records, Records: Keep good production, labor, and financial records. To be successful, you must be able to accurately track costs, operations, events, and labor by operation. Be sure and include such important events as diseases, insects, weeds, etc. by date, intensity, and field. Are you satisfied with your present system? Now is the time to improve your current procedures.

3. Recording/Storing Information: Evaluate how you collect, record, store/file, and retrieve or use your data. Improve your present methods of being able to immediately record information in the field, barn, or wherever the operation takes place. Check how you transfer this to your permanent records and how you file these data.

4. Financial Records:

a. Utilize cash flows; always run projected flows before the season or changes, and actual during the season and after harvest.

b. Calculate selected important financial statements such as balance sheet; during these uncertain times, you must closely clarify your situation.

c. If you have an accountant, use him/her for more than tax purposes; if this requires extra money, it will likely be well worth the added cost.

d. Capital Items - Before purchasing capital items, be sure and base this on your financial/production records and projections. Communicate early and work with your lender.

5. Variety Selection: Choose varieties that fit your disease and harvest patterns. Study your disease history field by field.

6. Greenhouse: Do not seed before February 1st. Earlier seedings require more fuel usage and adds clippings. Watch the weather. Fertilize properly in the greenhouse; too much nitrogen results in extra clipping, possibly more disease pressure, and transplant quality problems.

7. Utilize Crop Rotation: With reduced quotas, crop rotation should be longer. Fumigate fields with materials to match nematode or disease problems.

8. Make Fertilization a Priority: Soil test and strictly follow recommended fertilization (60-80 lb. N). Proper nitrogen management, water, and weather (and maturity) are the key elements for high quality tobacco.

8. Scout for Insects and Diseases: Be sure and spray only as needed. Identify problems properly; be sure you have the proper identification of the insect/disease and use the proper pesticide as needed.

10. Herbicides: Match herbicide usage to weed problems present.

11. Labor: Consider sharing labor with neighbors. Keep records on amount of labor by operation - this will be valuable future information for decisions. Consider harvesting curing time and pay attention to maturity of tobacco.

12. Start Sucker Control and Top Early: Use contact, MH, and Prime+/Butralin. Be sure and follow recommended practices while applying properly. DO NOT exceed labeled rates. Topping counts should be a part of your scouting and/or IPM program.

13. HARVEST PROPERLY: Harvest mature ripe tobacco in AT LEAST 3 stalk positions. It is critical that everyone change their perception and improve quality.

14. Curing Barns: Consider putting heat exchangers in your barns to produce low TSNA (nitrosamine) tobacco. Companies indicate they want to purchase low TSNA tobacco. Keep this tobacco separated.

15. Baling: Check your baling capacity. Baler capacity should match baling needs. Undersized balers could slow operation and cost extra labor. Small sized or undersized operations should consider options such as sharing baler with neighbors or baling at the warehouse.

16. Maximize Quality: Remove foreign matter, oxidized leaf, swelled stems, etc. from sheeted or baled tobacco. Oxidized leaf must be removed because it has high TSNA from microbial activity regardless of the curing unit used.

17. Moisture/Temperature: Be sure moisture and temperature are within acceptable ranges. Special attention should be given to lower stalk tobacco for excess temperature and moisture. Use a thermometer.

18. Storage: If unable to sell tobacco immediately, store it properly.

19. Transportation: Proper transportation of tobacco is important. Cover during transportation to prevent leaf and moisture loss.

20. Pre-sale: Consider covering bales in warehouse to preserve color and moisture.