<b>By TIM THORNBERRY<br>
Kentucky Correspondent</b> </p><p>

PRINCETON, Ky. — The word burley has long been used when describing the tobacco industry in Kentucky.<br>
Continued increases in production costs, coupled with lukewarm price contracts from tobacco companies, however, may lead producers to look at another type of tobacco traditional to western Kentucky.<br>
The demand for dark air-cured and fire-cured tobacco has grown steadily over the last 20 years, with market prices that make it profitable for growers. Dark tobacco is primarily used in smokeless tobacco products and pipe tobacco.<br>
According to Dr. Andy Bailey, University of Kentucky (UK) Dark Tobacco extension specialist, 90 percent of all United States-grown dark tobacco is produced in the western portion of Kentucky and Tennessee, with some production in Virginia.<br>
“We can say we have the ideal place for dark tobacco and it has been grown in a small area here and in western Tennessee since the late 1800s – about 19,000 acres,” said Bailey.<br>
While dark and burley tobacco possess similar regiments in the growing and harvesting stages, there are significant differences, particularly for the fire-cured variety, which is especially in demand. Dark tobacco is a heavier plant and will generally produce higher yields, but fewer plants can be set in equal areas, as opposed to burley tobacco – around 5,000 plants to an acre, according to Bailey.<br>
The plant is topped twice a year and is generally in the field five to seven weeks after topping.<br>
The plant is cut in the same way as burley, but must be left on the ground to wilt for one to three hours instead of immediately being “speared” onto a stick, to avoid breakage. The plant should also be allowed to wilt further for one to two days before being placed in a barn to begin the curing process.<br>
Fire-cured dark tobacco is allowed to yellow through ventilated barns. Once the plant starts to show yellow spots, the vents are closed and fires are placed under the plants on hardwood slabs covered in sawdust, ultimately giving the tobacco a certain aroma and taste. The process can take four to six weeks.<br>
The air-cured variety of dark tobacco is cured much the same way as burley, relying on air, temperature and humidity to conduct the curing process.<br>
Bailey said dark tobacco is more management-intense than burley and regular crop rotation is necessary to assure clean ground for the crop to grow.<br>
“Dark tobacco is inherently less resistant to disease except for Blue Mold and some varieties have no resistance at all,” he said. “A better job with crop rotation is a must. It’s out of the question to plant yearly; a grower is looking at a four-year rotation.”<br>
Bailey also said a good burley grower will transition well into the dark tobacco market, despite the added work.<br>
It is the end result that matters, and dark tobacco prices are much better than what burley brings these days. Bailey said for the most part, burley growers will be looking at approximately $1.65 per pound for the coming year, whereas dark air-cured tobacco could see $2.28-$2.30 per pound and fire-cured tobacco could bring as much as $2.50 per pound.<br>
The demand for dark tobacco could even impact the building industry if it continues.<br>
“The surge is big enough that I don’t think we can meet the demand. We can’t build barns fast enough for the crop. There’s a one-year waiting list for a barn to be built and I think we will begin to see many home builders building barns, with the housing market being down,” said Bailey.<br>
Even with a larger demand than burley tobacco, he warns those interested in switching would be better off to have a contract under their belt before beginning.<br>
”Don’t set up a crop without knowing where it’s going,” he said. “We have a few auction floors open in western Kentucky that can pick up extra tobacco, but I wouldn’t rely on that.”<br>
So is burley production dying in this state? Not yet – but the future is still uncertain. UK Agriculture Economist Will Snell addressed the recent Western Kentucky Tobacco Expo at Murray and said high fertilizer costs, high and somewhat uncertain labor, opportunities outside tobacco and less-than-stellar production contracts may make it difficult for burley production in 2008 to reach the level of 2007.<br>
“Even though it appears we have opportunities to expand burley use, it’s pretty tough to get a lot of excitement out there right now,” he said.<br>
Snell also said he does not expect to see any increase in burley acres in 2008, and some growers may decide to get out. While burley acres have been increasing in western Kentucky since the federal tobacco buyout, strong dark tobacco, corn, soybeans and wheat prices may keep farmers with these crops and away from more burley.<br>
Snell expects dark tobacco acreage to increase 10-15 percent this year.<br>
“It’s a good situation,” he said. “There’s growth in this industry. The companies have been loyal and there is money in growing this crop.”