Tobacco Sales to Begin on N.C. Market

Source from:  wral.com 08/11/2008

Sales of tobacco are set to begin this week in Wilson, although the traditional leaf auctions are long gone and farmers sell directly to tobacco companies. Wilson will open its 119th tobacco market season this year. The Wilson Daily Times reported that farmer Randal Barnes is ready to sell his crop after bearing the increased cost of fertilizer and fuel to run curing barns. Barnes also said bad weather delayed the season's start. He has 95 acres of tobacco. Wilson County farmers are no longer restricted by how much tobacco they can plant. In 2004, when government control ended, farmers planted 5,635 acres of tobacco. The number has grown to 9,130 acres this year. Enditem