N.C. yields dip under weather pressure
Oct 12, 2007—Tobacco production in North Carolina is expected to take a small hit based on the ongoing drought and extended warm weather.
Crop yield reports released by the USDA North Carolina Field office on October 12 indicate that both flue-cured and burley tobaccos will record smaller yields than last year. Flue-cured yield is forecast to be at 2,000 pounds per acre, a dip of 90 pounds over last year and well below the 10-year average of 2,217 pounds per acre. The total production forecast is estimated at 330 million pounds, a two percent increase from the 2006 number. Acres for harvest is up 10,000 acres to 165,000 acres.
Burley yield is forecast at 1,600 pounds per acre, which is 100 pounds down from the 2006 result. However, the estimate is in line with the 10-year average of 1,534 pounds per acre. Total production estimates are for 6.4 million pounds of burley, slightly behind last year’s estimate of 6.46 million. There are 4,000 acres available for harvest, 200 acres more than the 2006 figure.
The weather this summer has affected North Carolina’s other crops more severely. Crop yields are significantly down for soybeans, corn for grain, hay, apples and peanuts.
Oct 12, 2007—Tobacco production in North Carolina is expected to take a small hit based on the ongoing drought and extended warm weather.
Crop yield reports released by the USDA North Carolina Field office on October 12 indicate that both flue-cured and burley tobaccos will record smaller yields than last year. Flue-cured yield is forecast to be at 2,000 pounds per acre, a dip of 90 pounds over last year and well below the 10-year average of 2,217 pounds per acre. The total production forecast is estimated at 330 million pounds, a two percent increase from the 2006 number. Acres for harvest is up 10,000 acres to 165,000 acres.
Burley yield is forecast at 1,600 pounds per acre, which is 100 pounds down from the 2006 result. However, the estimate is in line with the 10-year average of 1,534 pounds per acre. Total production estimates are for 6.4 million pounds of burley, slightly behind last year’s estimate of 6.46 million. There are 4,000 acres available for harvest, 200 acres more than the 2006 figure.
The weather this summer has affected North Carolina’s other crops more severely. Crop yields are significantly down for soybeans, corn for grain, hay, apples and peanuts.
