Tobacco Harvest Begins

Source from:  Daniel Pearce simcoereformer.ca Monday August 13, 2007 08/14/2007

Growers under cloud of uncertainty Area tobacco crops have survived one of the driest summers on record and are now being harvested. Growers report the drought has put plants slightly behind schedule and caused them more expense through irrigation. "But it looks good in the fields," said Chris VanPaassen, a Simcoe area farmer and a director with the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board. "It'll be hard to tell (the quality) until it's cured in the kiln." The annual harvest is taking place under a cloud of uncertainty. The industry has shriveled to a fraction of its peak - 32 million pounds this year - while prices continue to fall. Farmers meanwhile continue to wait for a government buyout that will wind up the industry in Ontario for good. Mike Bokla of RR 7 Simcoe started harvest Saturday with a crew of three: himself, a person who drives a mechanical harvester and another who drives the leaves in from the field on a "boat." Two years ago, Bokla grew 64 acres and this year has planted 32. Asked if this year's crop was of high quality, he replied: "The (cigarette) companies have got us so screwed up over what quality is. As far as I'm concerned, they're just cheap. "I'd say it's a little above average." The crop size was cut nearly in half from 2006 and many growers have chosen not to plant this year. VanPaassen said he expects the board will get statistics soon spelling out how many farmers have dropped out. "You don't know where your future is," he said. After growing tobacco for 23 years, Bokla said he's ready to leave the industry. "If there's a buyout, I'll be the first one on the train . . . This is about as efficient as you can get," he added, pointing to his two employees. Every year, the crop is sold at auction in a Delhi warehouse. VanPaassen said he expects the selling season to last as long as last year with less volume of leaf being moved across the floor every day. Enditem