Tobacco Programs and Resources

Tobacco Programs and Resources

Tobacco Research and Resources

The latest tobacco research, publications and events to help Kentucky's producers.

Current and future (next 10 years) tobacco research at UKREC is primarily focused on two areas: harm reduction and labor reduction.  

Harm reduction research is focused on agronomic and curing practices that may reduce harmful constituents in cured leaf.  Harm reduction research has evaluated agronomic areas such as nitrogen rates, potassium sources, harvest timing, and pre-harvest antioxidant applications, as well as modified curing practices that may disrupt chemical reactions that result in harmful constituents in cured leaf.  

As labor costs make up nearly 60% of the costs of growing tobacco, labor reduction research is focused on individual labor operations during harvest and particularly during market preparation that can be streamlined or even partially mechanized to reduce labor and overall production costs without compromising cured leaf quality and integrity.  

Other tobacco research areas include variety development, pesticide residue monitoring and pesticide efficacy testing, fertility research, and transplant production research. 

Articles

Published on May. 21, 2025

Few crops are as significant to Kentucky’s agricultural history and heritage as tobacco. It served as a dominant cash crop for farmers across the state for more than 200 years, with some family farms passing their knowledge down through four or five generations.  

Read Item

Burley Tobacco Resources

Production guide, economics, management, worker safety, and important links.

Explore

Dark Tobacco Resources

Production guide, issues and research data.

Explore

Tobacco Extension Personnel

Dr. Bob Pearce
Burley Tobacco Production
Dr. Andy Bailey
Dark Tobacco Production (UKREC)
Dr. Will Snell
Agricultural Economics 

 

Tobacco Quick Links

Burley and Dark Tobacco Production GuideTobacco Disease InformationGAP ConnectionsUK Ag Weather Center

Tobacco Related Events

Corn, Soybean & Tobacco Field Day

UK Research and Education Center

Tobacco Faculty and Staff (UKREC Plant and Soil Sciences)

Dr. Andy Bailey

Extension Professor
Extension Tobacco Specialist

(859) 562-1304 abailey@uky.edu P.O. Box 469 348 University Drive Princeton, KY 42445

Bobby Hill

Dark-Fired Tobacco Research Specialist

bhill@uky.edu P.O. Box 469 348 University Drive Princeton, KY 42445

Chris Rodgers

Ag Research Specialist for Tobacco

chris.rodgers@uky.edu P.O. Box 469 348 University Drive Princeton, KY 42445

UK Research and Education Center at Princeton Resources

Read Article Read Article

Contact Information

Dr. Carrie Knott
UKREC Director

348 University Drive Princeton, KY 42445

(270) 365-7541