Hemp harvesting is taking place for the fibre varieties and there was a series of field days that occurred last week which were well attended. Rainfall totalled 7.8 mm at Delhi. Harvesting is completed in several earlier planted fields. Most growers are concentrating harvesting in earlier planted fields so that the later plantings can acquire more age and maturity. On most farms, undertips and tips in the earlier plantings are well-aged and mature.
Irrigation continues to be a common site due to dry conditions.
Most of the harvest should be completed within 14 days. Removal of green from the veins and midrib of leaves without having the leaf tissue between the veins turn variegated is the most common curing problem. Sucker pressure continues to be strong in several of the earlier planted fields due to the longer than normal period before all of the tobacco is harvested. A few fields in certain growing areas are still green and immature. Lack of rainfall and excessive nitrogen use are the causes.