Telephone Surveys

2008 Burley Tobacco Infrastructure Survey

Telephone interviews were conducted with 250 burley producers in June 2008 to collect information about the age and condition of tobacco infrastructure, adoption of big bale technology and future investment needs. Below is a summary of results.

In brief:  Forty-eight percent (48%) of the barns and curing structures respondents were using were over 30 years old and 15% were between 21 and 30 years old.  The majority of burley respondents were not delivering in big bales (78%).  Of the 22% using big balers 52% of them had 21 acres or more.  The investments that were ranked the highest, i.e. “would greatly benefit their operation”, by the most growers were (1) tobacco barns and other curing structures and (2) stripping rooms.

Burley Infrastructure Survey Summary

 

2009 Dark Tobacco Infrastructure Survey

Telephone interviews were conducted with 194 dark tobacco producers in October – November of 2009 to collect information about the age and condition of tobacco infrastructure and future investment needs.  Below is a summary of results.

In brief:  Thirty-eight percent of the dark-fired tobacco barns respondents were using were over 30 years old while 20% were less than 4 years old.  However, 59% of dark air tobacco barns respondents were using were over 30 years old and only 7% were less than 4 years old.  Only 38% of dark-fired growers reported double-cropping and of those that said they did double-crop their average acreage was 38 acres. The investments that were ranked the highest, i.e. “would greatly benefit their operation”, by the most growers were (1) tobacco barns and other curing structures and (2) wagons and trailers.

Dark Infrastructure Survey Summary

 

2009 Flue-cured Tobacco Infrastructure Survey

Telephone interviews were conducted with 258 flue-cured producers in October – November of 2009 to collect information about the age and condition of tobacco infrastructure used in flue-cured production and future investment needs. Below is a summary of results.

In brief: Forty-four percent (44%) of the bulk barns respondents were using were over between 11 to 20 years old with the majority of bulk barns (69%) over 11 years old.  Seventy-three percent (73%) of bulk barns used by respondents were box barns while 27% were rack barns.  The ratio of box to rack barns increased as flue-cured acreage increased.  Only 17% of respondents reported that they had intentions of replacing or purchasing bulk barns within the next 5 years. The investments that were ranked the highest, i.e. “would greatly benefit their operation”, by the most growers were (1) bulk barns and (2) greenhouses.

Flue-cured Infrastructure Survey Summary

 

Contact Us

Center for Tobacco Grower Research
302B Morgan Hall
2621 Morgan Circle Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37932
Phone: 865.974.0414
ctgr@utk.edu