Some farmers are getting paid 'top dollar' for tobacco

Source from:  By Stevie L. Daugherty 11/19/2004

Mike Brady of Calvary smiled as he watched his tobacco go across the scales at the Tobacco Services, Inc. warehouse Wednesday of last week. He was confident that his tobacco was going to bring him "top dollar." "It ought to be top dollar because it's good tobacco, good quality," Brady said. "I'll get top dollar because it's well taken care of. That's one thing I do is take care of my crops." His instincts were right. He received approximately $2.03 a pound for his tobacco. According to Brady, of the 27 years he's been growing tobacco, this year was one of the best. "If you have good tobacco, you won't have any problems," he said. Within 30 minutes, Brady walked out of the warehouse with a check in hand, which is a drastic improvement from the way it used to be, he said. In the past, farmers would have to wait an entire day or more to get their money, Brady said. "It's a world of difference," he said. That's a good thing for Brady, who had only slept a little more than two hours before hauling his tobacco to the warehouse. Brady works 10- to 12-hour shifts at Toyotomi in Springfield plus has a farm and a family to take care of, which makes things rough sometimes, he said. "I've got my hands full," Brady said. If it wasn't for his wife and three children he couldn't do it all, he said. Dennis Smith of Springfield, who also unloaded his tobacco at the warehouse last week, said the world of tobacco has changed dramatically but for the better, especially when it comes to getting paid. "Today you come in, it goes across the scales, you get your money and you leave," Smith said. "I like this system a whole lot better." Enditem