Found this in the Tobacco Farmer Newsletter. This issue focused on giving production updates for the 2013 crop. Thought some of you would be interested in it. Let me know if you would like the full issue or want to sign up to receive the newsletter.
GEORGIA: This was probably the worst crop in the 24 years J. Michael Moore has been in Georgia, says the Extension tobacco specialist. “The appearance was good–there just was not enough of it,” he says. “It was very light, low in nicotine and high in sugars. The yield was close to 1,600 pounds per acre, and we sold about 65 percent of what we wanted to.” It was entirely due to rain. Some locations received 50 inches by the end of August, more than the yearly average, he says. Ironically, he noted, just two years ago, Georgians had their best crop of 24. Despite the poor production, there is a definite interest in expansion, thanks to the good price. “A good bit sold for $2.28 a pound, he says. With a yield of 1,560 pounds and harvested area of 13,000 acres, that would give total production of 20.28 million pounds. And with an average price of $2.10, total value would have been $42.5 million.