1999 Baling Season Starts Off with ProblemsJ. Michael Moore, UGA, Dept. of Crop
and Soil Sciences
Paul Sumner, UGA, Dept. of Biological & Agricultural Engineering
Baling has started off with some problems for the 1999 season. Most Common Problems
Slipsheets. There are multiple slipsheet designs and an increasing number of manufacturers. It is very important that growers specify the type of baler they want slipsheets to fit. Also, they should be aware of the guidelines for slipsheets listed on THE BALING WEBSITE CLICK HERE [Use the "Back" button on your browser to get back to the UGA Tobacco Homepage] for the latest news on baling tobacco and to insure that newly purchased slipsheets meet the wishes of the companies. Sources of slipsheets are listed as well. Some manufacturers who have not been involved previously may not be selling the product with the latest specs.
Tobacco Moisture Meters.The tobacco companies and grading service are currently using this moisture meter. Hay moisture meters are not programed for tobacco and will not give an accurate reading. Below is the only source for the meter.
TobaccoChek® Moisture Tester (specify for Flue- Cured Tobacco)
Jamie Daggett
Phone 913-681-1738
Dagmar Enterprises LLC
P.O. Box 6002
Leawood, KS 66206-6002
Fax 913-681-9078
Thermometers. A long stem thermometer can be used to monitor the bale of tobacco. Shortly after baling, the interior of the bale should be close to the air temperature when baled. If, after several days, the temperature starts to rise to 10- 15 degrees above the outside temperature or above 105 F, I would be concerned enough to break it open. After a week or so and there is not rise in temperature, you are not likely to have a problem. By checking the temperature and moisture, most growers should be able to pinpoint problems before they get severe. I am sure there may be several sources for long-stem thermometers but one source is:
Reotemp Instruments
San Diego, California.
Phone (800-648-7737)
CLICK HERE to go to Reotemp's Homepage [Use the "Back" button on your browser to get
back to the UGA Tobacco Homepage]
Their 20" Compost thermometer is the one we used in 1997 and 1998. It worked well.Baling Tags. Bale Tags are being provided at no expense to the grower this year. Bale tags are desired by the companies. Growers should be strongly encouraged to obtain the tags and to apply them to the bales according to the instructions with the tags prior to sale. Some minor changes are being made after the market opens to reflect buyer preferences and ease of viewing as bales are aligned for sale. Refer to the BALING WEBSITE CLICK HERE [Use the "Back" button on your browser to get back to the UGA Tobacco Homepage] for more information on obtaining the tags. There is a form and a FAX number for sending in the request. Page last updated and posted 30 July 1999, JMM