Abstract:
While tobacco was a billion dollar crop in 2000, its future remains uncertain. Meanwhile, cotton, North Carolina's number two crop, is closing in on the top spot. In 2000, 1.45 million bales were produced, a 71 percent increase from 1999, and revenues were $417 million, a 78 percent increase from 1999. Cotton is popular with farmers because of the stability of its price and because there is no limit in the amount that can be grown.