Thanks for the info and the link. I never considered buying local seeds but it makes sense. The province beside mine grows Virginias for the tobacco market, might be a good idea to get that seed.
Seeds from local growers would be perfect.
Science has proved that plants respond and adapt to their environment.
By buying local seeds, your plants will not have to go through a process of adapting to a new environment, which can take several generations, giving you the best chance of an A-grade crop from the get-go.
Tobacco needs to be aged for at least a year after harvest. [My Burley leaf was rough as guts fresh. The difference a year later was huge]
While your sourcing local seed, you might also consider asking the growers if you're able to buy some whole leaf to give yourself a head start.
Since my stash wont last forever, I intend to make Cavendish, Black Cavendish and Perique.
I've also bought a SS noodle press [for $10aud] and a bottle of 13yo Bundaberg spiced rum to experiment making Kake and Flake.
Tobacco taxes here are contemptible,. No way will I pay extortionist prices for baccy.
Encouragingly, many of the experienced home growers at the Freetrade tobacco forum say that they much prefer smoking their homegrown blends over commercial blends.