Tobacco growers and others in the industry had an opportunity to see what this year's tobacco research has in store for the future, during the South Carolina Tobacco Tour, held July 10. The tour was on the Pee Dee Research Center in Florence, as well as remote locations.
Clemson researchers on the tour do their part to look into any aspect of the industry that can be of assistance to growers, from variety testing to investigating disease-control chemicals and methods. They look into applications of fertilizers, assess insect and weed control, mechanical technology and much more.
The good news is that much of the tobacco in the state looks good this year (at least up to the time of the tour). Also, even though the state had been undergoing periods of drought, particularly in some areas, it had just rained ahead of the tour and water was standing in the rows of much of the tobacco at Pee Dee REC.
HEY GOOD LOOKIN': Although many aspects of the season have been challenging to the crop, tobacco seen on the tour had every appearance of a crop with good color and good quality. The tobacco specialists on hand noted much of South Carolina's tobacco appears to be good this year. However, some pointed out the complete story will be known only when harvest is complete.
On the other hand, there has been another bout with drought since the tour. By the time the attendees arrived on the Pee Dee REC for the event, a touch of the extreme drought was again entering the state from the direction of Georgia on South Carolina's western border. Note that the rated category of Extreme Drought is just one category away from the worst Exceptional Drought category, as rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
In addition, all of the state except for a small area in the northeast, is now in some state of drought condition, from Severe to Moderate drought to Abnormally Dry. To learn more visit the web site at httpL//droughtmonitor.unl.edu and select the link to the Southeast section of the country.
The good news at the time of this story's posting, however, (Aug.1) is that there are multi-day forecasts for possible showers and storms across much of the state, from Florence to Orangeburg and from Greenville in the northwest part of the state to Charleston in the Southeast.
Following are some photos highlighting the 2012 S.C. Tobacco Tour.
LOAD IT UP:
The Solar Power Sun Barn II offers an option for growers who want to cure tobacco in a unique way, using energy from the sun. The barn uses solar energy to supplement the traditional curing process, saving energy costs. The company that makes the barn, Eastern Carolina Mfg is located in Tarboro, N.C. The phone number is 252-641-4796.
THE WORKING END OF THE BARN:
The Sun Barn II cannot rely on solar power for the complete curing but it can use solar energy to partially cure the tobacco and utilize traditional heating units to complete the operation. The controls for the cure are housed and operated at this end of the barn. Eastern Carolina Mfg. is the equipment maker and is located in Tarboro, N.C. The phone number is 252-641-4796.
THE MAN WITH THE PLAN:
Tobacco specialist and professor emeritus DeWitt Gooden explains the nature and location of the various tobacco research plots during the 2012 South Carolina Tobacco Tour.
HEY GOOD LOOKIN':
Although many aspects of the season have been challenging to the crop, tobacco seen on the tour had every appearance of a crop with good color and good quality. The tobacco specialists on hand noted much of South Carolina's tobacco appears to be good this year. However, some pointed out the complete story will be known only when harvest is complete.
A DRIP TO DRINK:
Growers, agribusiness persons and university attendees check out some irrigated tobacco. The researchers noted although the crop had water, it was too early at the time of the tour to know the outcome of the study.
A CLOSER LOOK:
Tobacco specialist and professor emeritus DeWitt Gooden checks tobacco leaves for insects and quality on the S.C. Tobacco Tour.
PROTECTION NEEDED:
A research check plot demonstrates how tobacco can suffer without needed crop protection chemicals. Check out the "holey" leaves that insects and worms have munched on.
SCDA REPRESENTATIVE:
Tre Coleman, director of tobacco and cotton programs at the S.C. Department of Agriculture, was on the tour, keeping his finger on the pulse of the challenges growers are contending with this year.
MEASURING THE PROBLEMS:
Clemson plant pathologist Bruce Fortnum discusses some of the wide-ranging problems that can affect tobacco. Fortnum lists nematodes and diseases as costly tobacco problems that growers have to deal with.
BITING THE DUST:
Researchers noted that diseases in disease plots weren't fully developed by the time of the tobacco tour. However, some plants like these infected with black shank, had already endured all of the disease they could take. Two of the deadlier tobacco diseases are black shank and Granville wilt, but the expense and trouble of these diseases can sometimes be mollified by the selection of resistant varieties.