State to See Major Tobacco Increase

Source from:  Knoxnews.com Associated Press 16, 2008 11/17/2008

U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows burley tobacco produced by Tennessee farmers this year is expected to outperform last year's crop by 22 percent. The crop once ranked among the Volunteer State's most profitable. Production, however, has been declining in recent years as high costs and lower profits discouraged many growers. If the forecast by the federal agency holds true, it will mark the first time the production of burley - most commonly used in cigarettes - has shown a year-over-year increase since 1999. But 2008's yields probably don't signal a return to prominence for tobacco. The percentage gains likely this year must be tempered by last year's drought pushing 2007 crop production down. Tennessee is expected to produce 25.4 million pounds of burley this year. This fall's yield numbers don't reflect an increase in the actual acreage of tobacco harvested. That number, about 13,000 acres, is unchanged from 2007. The USDA's statistics do show a better crop - the average acre is expected to produce about 1,950 pounds of burley tobacco, up 350 pounds from 2007. Other types of tobacco also are expected to outperform last year's crop. "It looks like our yield is going to be excellent," said Jonathan Gray, who farms about 5 1/2 acres of burley tobacco in northern Sumner County. Like many tobacco farmers, Gray has cut his production because of falling profits. He raises about half as much now as he did four years ago. Tennessee's improved numbers - fueled by better rainfall and temperature conditions this growing season compared with 2007's hot and dry periods - buck a regional trend. Production in burley-producing states this year is expected to total 197.6 million pounds, about 5 percent less than last year. In Kentucky, a traditional burley powerhouse, this year's production is forecast at 144.9 million pounds, down 6 percent from last year. Enditem