News  Agriculture  Crops

North Carolina Farmers Tackle Tobacco Transplanting Despite Dry Conditions

Growers are making progress with planting despite dry conditions.

April 28, 2026 03:53 PM • 
Neal Burnette-Irwin

LOUISBURG, NORTH CAROLINA (RFD News) — The next phase of tobacco planting is underway across North Carolina, with farmers working long hours to get plants in the ground.

At N&N Farms, fourth-generation farmer Travis Nelms is moving from greenhouse to field, transplanting tobacco into rows despite ongoing dry conditions.

Nelms says planting season is one of his favorite times of year: “Planting time is a good time, and it’s the start of everything. I love to see it go in the field. When it goes in the field, things are going good.”

Even with drought concerns, the work continues. Nelms plans to plant about 400 acres this season, averaging roughly 40 to 45 acres a day. While the crop thrives on predictably dry weather, yields and crop quality can suffer dramatically if producers are unable to get a good gauge on unpredictable hot and dry weather patterns.

North Carolina leads the nation in tobacco production and is responsible for about 60 percent of the U.S. crop.

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Neal Burnette-Irwin
Neal Burnette-Irwin
Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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