New Domain Name for UGA Tobacco Web Page (www.georgiatobacco.com)
Visit the UGA Tobacco Web Page
Tobacco Barn Retrofit Information Available on the Georgia Tobacco Web Page
Retrofit Progress
Federal Tobacco Referendum
Container Corporation to Continue to Provide Sheets
Changes (Contracting) in Tobacco Marketing Expected
FSA Regs Require Designation of Auction/Non-Auction Tobacco
Presidential Tobacco Commission

Visit the UGA Tobacco Web Page
for a look at the latest Georgia Tobacco Hotline or the Tobacco Calendar. The Tobacco Calendar not only includes the dates, times, locations and speakers of the scheduled Georgia County Extension Tobacco Meetings, but a large number of the major U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Meetings.

Tobacco Barn Retrofit Information Available on the Georgia Tobacco Web Page.
Click the link on the Home Page to find all the information you might need to learn about the Barn Conversion and Retrofit Project. From heat exchanger guidelines to TSNA test results, to Vendor addresses, to pictures and slide shows of various available heat exchangers, to the Reimbursement Application needed to apply for a portion of the expenses required to purchase and install retrofits.

Retrofit Progress
Arnold Hamm of Stabilization predicted that by the end of February at least half the needed retrofits will likely be installed. Significant funds remain available from the Reimbursement Program for grower use. Retrofits must be in place by July 1, 2001 to be eligible for reimbursement of a portion of the grower expenses. As of January 4, 2001 reimbursement checks had been mailed for 6,400 barns with the average reimbursement per barn amounting to $2,200. A recent survey of retrofit manufacturers indicates that more than an adequate number of heat exchangers can be manufactured and installed before the July 1, 2001 deadline.

Federal Tobacco Referendum
is being conducted during the week of January 8 - 12, 2001. Mail- in ballots were mailed to growers for their vote and return during this week. Two thirds of those voting must vote in favor of continuing the Tobacco Program in order to continue production quotas and price supports.

Container Corporation to Continue to Provide Sheets
Mac Dunkley reported recently that the Container Corporation will continue to provide sheets for those growers who will be marketing tobacco in sheets for the 2001 season. Approximately 700,000 sheets continue to be in the system with approximately 300,000 expected to be available to growers after the sorting of torn and hole ridden sheets. The assessment of 30 cents per sheet from each the grower, the purchaser and the warhouse will continue as it has. The amount of the flue-cured tobacco marketed in bales increased by 20 percent from 1999 to 2000 with approximately three fourths of the tobacco baled. The percent of tobacco offered as bales is expected to increase further in 2001.

Changes (Contracting) in Tobacco Marketing Expected
A number of firms gained experience at contracting tobacco during the 2000 season. An increase in the amount of tobacco to be contracted is expected for the 2001 season. Look to the web for an article by Dr. Bill Givan on contracting tobacco. http://www.ces.uga.edu/Agriculture/agecon/pubs/comm/tobaccocontract.htm

FSA Regs Require Designation of Auction/Non-Auction Tobacco
Tobacco growers have been required to designate the amount of tobacco to be sold at specific auction tobacco warehouses. Regulations are expected to be enforced during the 2001 season which would require further designation of tobacco which has been contracted for delivery to company buying points. The accurate designation of tobacco marketing is important for the determination of the numbers of buyers and graders (sets) needed to work auction markets. Less tobacco going to the auction will require fewer buyers, graders, and auction warehouses.

Presidential Tobacco Commission
Executive Order 13168, dated September 27, 2000 established the President's Commission on Improving Economic Opportunity in Communities Dependent on Tobacco Production While Protecting Public Health (Commission). The purpose of the Commission is to provide advice to the President on changes occurring in the tobacco farming economy and recommend such measures as may be necessary to improve economic opportunity and development in communities that are dependent on tobacco production, and protect consumers, particularly children, from hazards associated with smoking. http://www.fsa.usda.gov/tobcom

Upcoming Events (for other events visit the Tobacco Calendar)

Tobacco Growers Association of Georgia Annual Meeting February 9, 10, 11, 2001
at the Holiday Inn on Jekyll Island.

Georgia Tobacco School February 13, 14, 15, 2001,
Rural Development Center, Tifton, GA Young growers and those wanting a review of the basics of tobacco production, pest management, harvesting, curing and marketing are invited to this three day school. Also included are agrichemical sales representatives and county agents who are new to tobacco.

GA District Stabilization Meeting Scheduled
The Georgia District Flue-Cured Cooperative Stabilization Corporation Meeting is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Thursday, February 15, 2001, at the Holiday Inn in Douglas, GA. All growers are invited to attend the district meeting of their coop and to hear reports of the activities of Stabilization as well as Tobacco Associates, the Grading Service and other segments of the tobacco industry. The dates of other District Stabilization meetings can be found on the Stabilization Web Page http://www.ustobaccofarmer.com

Thank you for visiting the Georgia Tobacco Hotline,
presented by the University of Georgia Extension Tobacco Team
and brought to you by the makers of Orthene 97 insecticide
with reduced dust and reduced odor.

 

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