TOBACCO STORM DAMAGE
 
It is difficult to assess the full impact of this weekend’s severe weather at this time.  However, reports from dozens of growers I spoke with throughout the day, and assessments provided to Dr. Fisher form County Agents, suggest the most impact occurred from Edgecombe, northern Wilson, Nash, Martin, Pitt, Craven and Beaufort Counties.  There are more isolated accounts in Person, Granville and Franklin.  It could be a safe assumption at this point that a few thousand acres were damaged by wind and hail to the extent that the crop is likely a complete loss.  Another 3000+ acres is believed to be very compromised as growers work to mitigate the wind blown stalks.
 
All of this is on top of the tremendous heat that has effected every tobacco field.
 
Dr. Fisher points out (as we are all familiar) that the true impact of the weekend storms will continue to express itself during the next week as disease accelerates and damage to plant integrity begins to become increasingly more visible.
 
MITIGATION AND MH Sucker Control:
 
Please see the following note from Dr. Loren Fisher.
 
Many of you that were impacted by the storm damage over the weekend and have immediate need for sucker control have asked about MH guidelines when using the product before first harvest has occurred. The following is a reminder that you may find useful.
 
TGANC President Brent Leggett is sending a note to all tobacco contract companies asking them to make official statements for the benefit of all growers regarding any flexibility or acceptable tolerance related to MH residues as a result of the storms.
 
Thanks,
 
Graham Boyd
TGANC Executive Vice President
 

Subject: Re: Storm Damage
From: Loren Fisher

One of the biggest questions following storm damage to a tobacco crop at this stage of growth is how do I manage sucker control. Stalk rundown materials such as contacts and flumetralin are not as effective on leaning, damaged plants and sucker control may likely require an application of MH as soon as possible. The first thing a grower should do is contact his contracting company and let them know their tobacco was damaged by the storm and let them know that they may need to apply MH to control suckers. This is especially true for MH free contracts, but is probably a good idea in general because MH may be going on earlier than normal (ie before first harvest in some cases) and therefore possibly closer to a harvest than we might prefer. We still only recommend 1.0 gallons (1.5 pounds ai) of MH or in extreme circumstances no more than 1.5 gallons. Also remember that MH should be applied before it becomes too hot to maximize absorption and control.

 

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