OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
Bob:
I have been tracking my cured leaf as it comes out of the kiln. This is why I have a big spreadsheet. To get a feel for yields on specific types.
One of the things I didn't do last year was keep any kind of accurate records. I just intuitively knew from what I had shredded that my yields were pretty low. I was estimating 2 1/2 to three oz. on most of my types. Which is not that good. Also I was operating on some bad advice regarding the use of fertilizer. I looked on some University websites, (in tobacco country) and got better info, and stepped up my fertility. That will have a significant positive impact. It is still too early to get a realistic feel for yields, but I am sure that I will have improved. Most of the leaf that I have cured is bottom leaf, which will not yield nearly as well as mid, upper, and top leaf. (you know the drill) One of the other things that I have done differently this year, is use better labeling on my strings. Each string has the variety, number of leaves, harvest date, and most importantly, stem position. I have divided my categories into bottom, mid, upper, and top. So, as leaves come out of the kiln, the weight info can go straight into an already existing line item on my spreadsheet. A formula will then kick out a yield number. I have had extensive excel spreadsheet experience and can build some pretty complicated sheets. Nothing so sophisticated needed here, just some good data to work with in the future. This is also why I planted at least 12 of each type, so that I could get a representative yield number. It's hard to extrapolate on a small number of plants, and get representative numbers.
All the numbers in the world are useless unless the stuff is fit to use. That's why I would never grow Brown and Williamson Low Nicotine again. Nasty stuff. And although I felt that yields on Ternopolskii 7 were low, I'd grow it again as it makes a pretty good "sweetener" in a blend. I grew Ternopolskii 14 this year, and the jury is still out on that one. Early indications are that the yields were pretty good, but the flavor maybe not so much. The kiln and time will tell that story.
I just want to get rid of my stalks and roots. Too much harborage available there. We are encouraged by the garbage company to put yard waste into the cans. That is why they are so big. (95 gallon) Also, I have plenty of fire ash to put on my ground which is a really good source of potash and other nutrients. I'm careful about what goes into the wood stove, for that reason. Wood ash is a valuable resource to use. Open burning is banned most of the time around here. And strictly speaking, If I wanted to burn some yard waste, I'd need a burning permit from the county. If you are a farmer who wants to burn a field, no problem. Pay a $20 fee and you are good to go. If you are a householder, pay a $20 fee and get denied. Seems to be pretty much the case. Don't get me started on the Ecology guys in Olympia (the state capitol)!
As I have said on multiple occasions "this tobacco growing is a lot of work!" But I also enjoy a good challenge. Or as my late cousin put it "If it was easy, everybody would be doing it."
Wes H.
I have been tracking my cured leaf as it comes out of the kiln. This is why I have a big spreadsheet. To get a feel for yields on specific types.
One of the things I didn't do last year was keep any kind of accurate records. I just intuitively knew from what I had shredded that my yields were pretty low. I was estimating 2 1/2 to three oz. on most of my types. Which is not that good. Also I was operating on some bad advice regarding the use of fertilizer. I looked on some University websites, (in tobacco country) and got better info, and stepped up my fertility. That will have a significant positive impact. It is still too early to get a realistic feel for yields, but I am sure that I will have improved. Most of the leaf that I have cured is bottom leaf, which will not yield nearly as well as mid, upper, and top leaf. (you know the drill) One of the other things that I have done differently this year, is use better labeling on my strings. Each string has the variety, number of leaves, harvest date, and most importantly, stem position. I have divided my categories into bottom, mid, upper, and top. So, as leaves come out of the kiln, the weight info can go straight into an already existing line item on my spreadsheet. A formula will then kick out a yield number. I have had extensive excel spreadsheet experience and can build some pretty complicated sheets. Nothing so sophisticated needed here, just some good data to work with in the future. This is also why I planted at least 12 of each type, so that I could get a representative yield number. It's hard to extrapolate on a small number of plants, and get representative numbers.
All the numbers in the world are useless unless the stuff is fit to use. That's why I would never grow Brown and Williamson Low Nicotine again. Nasty stuff. And although I felt that yields on Ternopolskii 7 were low, I'd grow it again as it makes a pretty good "sweetener" in a blend. I grew Ternopolskii 14 this year, and the jury is still out on that one. Early indications are that the yields were pretty good, but the flavor maybe not so much. The kiln and time will tell that story.
I just want to get rid of my stalks and roots. Too much harborage available there. We are encouraged by the garbage company to put yard waste into the cans. That is why they are so big. (95 gallon) Also, I have plenty of fire ash to put on my ground which is a really good source of potash and other nutrients. I'm careful about what goes into the wood stove, for that reason. Wood ash is a valuable resource to use. Open burning is banned most of the time around here. And strictly speaking, If I wanted to burn some yard waste, I'd need a burning permit from the county. If you are a farmer who wants to burn a field, no problem. Pay a $20 fee and you are good to go. If you are a householder, pay a $20 fee and get denied. Seems to be pretty much the case. Don't get me started on the Ecology guys in Olympia (the state capitol)!
As I have said on multiple occasions "this tobacco growing is a lot of work!" But I also enjoy a good challenge. Or as my late cousin put it "If it was easy, everybody would be doing it."
Wes H.
