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J. Michael Moore,
Editor

Crop Update

Visits to Georgia tobacco greenhouses indicate a good germination and good stand. The largest plants seen in these visits were the size of a nickel, with many of the houses being seeded over the last three weeks. Temperatures have been unusually high for January with intermittent overcast skies. Growers have found these to be unusual circumstances for germination with excessive temperatures during the day and minimal need for heat during the nights. In fact, it appears that management of daytime temperatures at tray level may have been of greater importance this season than most. In one house visited the mid day temperatures were 85+ degrees at the tray level. Curtains were not opened sufficiently to reduce the build- up of heat during the day and the exhaust fans were not running. In this case, problems with one heater in the house had resulted in the heater in the other end of the house workikng overtime during the evening. A greater number of spiral root plants (1- 3%) and non-germinating seeds (8-20%) were observed in the end with the operating heater. One possibility is that some of these problems relate to excessive temperatures and or greater than normal drying conditions. Most growers were surprised to see daytime tray temperatures greater than the 70-75 degrees recommended during germination. In a time requiring less fuel for operating heaters, management of the upper limit for temperatures appears to have been a greater requirement so far in 2002.

FLUE-CURED TOBACCO SALE ACROSS COUNTY LINES PERMITTED IN FLORIDA AND GEORGIA WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2002

NEWS
Farm Service Agency Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW Stop 0506, Room 3624-South Washington, D.C. 20250-0506
Release No. 1428.02 Jillene Johnson (202) 720-9733 jillene_johnson@wdc.usda.gov

Final results of a U.S. Department of Agriculture referendum show that a majority of Florida and Georgia tobacco producers have approved the sale of flue-cured tobacco quota across county lines within these two states. The referendum, held Oct. 15 -19, 2001, applies to 2002 and subsequent crop-year tobacco. Sales of flue-cured tobacco quota from one farm to another across county lines is permitted if a majority of active tobacco producers approve it in a referendum. Referenda results are as follows:

State, Yes, No, Percentage Favoring

Florida, 83, 25, 76.8 percent

Georgia, 363, 84, 81.2 percent

Further program information is available from Rebecca Harrington at (202) 720-4281, E-mail address: rebecca_harrington@wdc.usda.gov. #

2002-CROP BURLEY TOBACCO PROGRAM PROVISIONS ANNOUNCED WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2002

NEWS
Farm Service Agency Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW Stop 0506, Room 3624-South Washington, D.C. 20250-0506
Release No. 1431.02 Jillene Johnson (202) 720-9733

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the provisions of the 2002 burley tobacco program and no-net-cost assessments.

The national marketing quota for the 2002 crop is
324.2 million pounds, a decrease from the 2001 quota of
332.0 million pounds. The 2002 quota is based on the following:

(million pounds)
-- Purchase intentions by domestic cigarette manufacturers: 227.43
-- Unmanufactured exports (3-yr. average): 138.8
-- Reserve stock adjustment: -42
-- Discretionary adjustment: 0

The price support level for the 2002 crop is $1.835 per pound, up 0.9 cents per pound from 2001.

For each farm, the 2002 basic quota will decline approximately 2.3 percent from 2001.

The effective quota is expected to be about 344 million pounds, a decrease of 24 million pounds from 2001.

The burley tobacco no-net-cost assessment will be 2 cents on each pound of 2002-crop burley tobacco that is marketed by direct sale or through a price support loan.

USDA set the no-net-cost assessments at 1 cent per pound for the producer and 1 cent per pound for the purchaser for crop year 2002.

Further program information is available from Dan Stevens, telephone (202) 720-5291, e-mail address daniel_stevens@wdc.usda.gov

Tobacco Growers Association of Georgia Annual Meeting
The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Tobacco Growers Association of Georgia will be conducted February 23 & 24, 2002 at the Holiday Inn Beach Resort, Jekyll Island, Georgia. For reservations call 912-635-3311. The program will consist of a Saturday morning meeting and Lunch, an auction and an evening Banquet. Registration Fee is $25.00 per person. For more information call 229-686-5123.

Georgia Tobacco School-February 12, 13 & 14, 2002
An intensive three-day Tobacco School will be conducted by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Tobacco Team February 12-14, 2002. Extension specialists and researchers will make presentations on basic recommendations and recent research findings to those who participate in the Georgia Tobacco School to be held at the Rural Development Center in Tifton.

The 2002 Georgia Tobacco School will begin with registration at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12 and will end after a Tobacco Grading Seminar on Thursday, February 14.

Written Pre-Registration must be received by Friday, February 8, 2002.

Participants will have the opportunity to hear presentations on a number of tobacco production and management practices including transplant production in greenhouses, fertilization, insect and disease (tomato spotted wilt virus, tobacco mosaic virus, and black shank) control, sucker control, MH residue reduction practices, curing and barn retrofitting.

Additionally, there will be discussions on the economics of tobacco production and marketing to include an analysis of contracts being offered to tobacco growers.

Bobby Wellons of the USDA, AMS Tobacco Grading Service will conduct a grading seminar on Thursday, February 14, 2002. He will have examples of the various tobacco grades available for viewing and comparison.

Although young tobacco growers are especially invited to attend, the school is open to growers of all ages, agribusiness representatives (fertilizer, chemicals, seeds, production materials, equipment dealers and manufacturers), new and experienced County Agents and others working with tobacco growers who want to improve their knowledge of modern tobacco production and management. Interested persons may obtain additional information on the Georgia Tobacco School by contacting their local County Extension Service office. Written Pre-registration must be received by Friday, February 8, 2002.

Send:
Name
Address
Phone Number
County of residence

to: J. Michael Moore
P. O. Box 1209 Tifton, GA 31793
jmmoore@arches.uga.edu
PH: 229-386-7498 FAX: 229-386-7308

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