Drought Causes Anxiety as Ky. Farmers Prepare to Market Tobacco

Source from:  wdbj7.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Associated Press) - November 13, 2007 11/14/2007

A severe drought has helped make this 1 of the most challenging seasons ever for Kentucky tobacco growers. After the 2004 federal tobacco buyout, free market replaced federal production and price controls. Kentucky burley growers see this selling season as a sign to gauge how tobacco companies will treat them without the fallback comfort of a federal safety net. Also, fertilizer costs have skyrocketed and labor costs are higher. Enditem