At the Oxford Tobacco Research Station, there’s a little more than an acre of tobacco planted each year with one very special purpose. Instead of being destined for market or research trials, the plot is reserved for the N.C. State Fair, where it’s used in the annual tobacco stringing competition and then hung in the … Read more
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler gave his annual State of Agriculture address last week, and Mike Davis caught up with him afterward. While much of agriculture continues to struggle with high costs and low prices, Troxler says tobacco is one of the exceptions this year in North Carolina. Commissioner Troxler with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis … Read more
Although drought conditions persist, recent rains have been welcomed by farmers across the state. Crop conditions continue to remain a concern, especially for corn and hay. Some crops show signs they are responding to the rain. USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared a disaster for Columbus County based on losses caused by the drought, which … Read more
The National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released its September crop production estimates and yield is projected up from the August forecast for corn and cotton. Yields of tobacco, corn, cotton, soybeans and peanuts are projected to be above 2020 numbers as well. The National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released its September crop production report and … Read more
With a long, wet winter and now Easter behind us, field work and land preparation for the 2021 crop is in full swing. With the soils drying out over the past week, many acres have been tilled and/or burndown herbicides have been applied to row crop acres. There are still low-lying and/or poorly drained areas … Read more
Growing tobacco in North Carolina is nothing new, but tobacco that can sell for nearly $6 per pound certainly is. The recent norm for the state’s traditional flue cured or burley varieties is close to $2 per pound. However, some work at the state’s agricultural research stations means the jaw-dropping $6 figure may become more … Read more
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released updated crop production estimates. In it, corn and soybeans are up and cotton and tobacco are down.
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “Amid salmonella outbreak, experts say NC turkeys are safe to eat this Thanksgiving,” WRAL: With one week to go before Thanksgiving, many are wondering if turkey is safe to eat. The concerns … Read more
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “Moving chickens, harvesting tobacco, managing hog manure: N.C. farmers prepare for Florence,” Washington Post: Thick clouds and heavy humidity hinted at the storm crawling its way toward Carolina Mushroom Farm. But it … Read more
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “A new Bayer era: Who farmers call for seed, chemical purchases,” Southeast Farm Press: As farmers start making buying decisions for the 2019 growing season, it will be business as … Read more
