Great Tobacco Crop, Big Frustration For Growers

Source from:  Delhi News Record 12/01/2008

For the past few years, the future of the Delhi Tobacco Auction Exchange has been uncertain. And this year is no different as farmers somberly unloaded bales of tobacco at the auctions opening on Monday. "We are all really disappointed with everything that has been going on," said Scotland tobacco farmer John VanBerlo. "A few years ago I was averaging $2.42 and now we're getting about $1.70… it's just very upsetting because we are in a rock and a hard place at this point." This year VanBerlo grew about 40 acres of tobacco. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much choice but to accept the price he is offered. "We really have no choice at all and that is very frustrating," he said. "The crop this year is great and really good quality and we are not getting anything for it." Faced with dwindling crop size, farmers are still waiting for a buyout answer from the provincial government. The federal government proposed to give farmers $1.05 per pound of quota in a $300 million buyout prior to the federal election and with Stephen Harper and his conservative minority elected again in October the offer still stands. But the farmers remain in limbo waiting for bailout cash to appear. "We're used to waiting," said a fellow Scotland farmer who wished to remain anonymous. While at the tobacco exchange, the News-Record approached many local farmers to talk about tobacco-related issues but the majority of tobacco growers wished to remain anonymous or not comment on the situation. Gary Smith, who has worked at the exchange for eight years, is not surprised that most farmers won't talk. "It's to be expected," he said. "Everyone is doing all right but you can't say that anyone is happy in this situation." With 23 million pounds of this year's crop to sell, Smith said the exchange is selling 500,000 pounds per day. "The crop looks really good and the stuff that has come through so far has been great quality," he said. "Everyone should be at least pleased with that." Enditem