TwinBay
03-05-2012, 08:37 PM
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/updates/maple/2012-03-05.htm
Sap flow summary February 29 to March 4
Most syrup producers in later areas of the province have now finished tapping their trees. Last week, weather conditions were not ideal for good sap flow. Several small to moderate sap flows were reported in many areas of the province before very cold weather moved in over the weekend, stopping sap flow. Many producers have produced mainly extra-light and light grades of syrup this year. Medium grades began appearing by mid-week and over the weekend. Producers in early southwestern areas report they have produced from 50% to 75% of an average syrup crop so far this year, however believe their sap collection may end soon. Producers in Lanark county and eastern regions report medium grades this past week.
In earliest regions of southwest Ontario and along north shore Lake Erie, dormant buds on soft maple trees began swelling. Syrup producers who tap soft maple trees stopped collecting sap where buddy off-flavours have started to show up in the earliest areas.
Extended forecast for March 5 to March 11
Cold weather in central, north and eastern areas at the beginning of the week has left sap tubing, buckets and sap collection tanks frozen. Warmer thawing temperatures are expected early in the week and may become too warm for sap flow until mid-week.
The long-term weather forecast predicts that good sap flow conditions will occur towards the end of the coming week in many areas of the province, where adequate thawing occurs. Early areas may see 1 or 2 sap runs, while conditions around St. Joseph Island look excellent for sap flow this week. Northeastern regions near Algonquin, Petawawa and Ottawa will remain very cold at night and syrup producers in eastern and northern areas may not collect significant amounts of sap until late in the week or next weekend.
In earliest regions in southwest Ontario, Niagara and along the north shore of Lake Erie, syrup producers should now be monitoring all fresh sap for buddy off-flavours. Buds of soft maple trees are now swelling in earliest areas and sap will have buddy off-flavours. Sugar maple trees usually begin to break dormancy one or two weeks after soft maple trees. In mid to late areas of the province, buds on sugar maple trees remain dormant and trees remain in good condition for sap collection.
Syrup producers who are new to the business should talk to an experienced syrup maker, to learn to identify the distinctive buddy off-flavour in fresh sap, which will signal the end of sap collection for the year.
Sap flow summary February 29 to March 4
Most syrup producers in later areas of the province have now finished tapping their trees. Last week, weather conditions were not ideal for good sap flow. Several small to moderate sap flows were reported in many areas of the province before very cold weather moved in over the weekend, stopping sap flow. Many producers have produced mainly extra-light and light grades of syrup this year. Medium grades began appearing by mid-week and over the weekend. Producers in early southwestern areas report they have produced from 50% to 75% of an average syrup crop so far this year, however believe their sap collection may end soon. Producers in Lanark county and eastern regions report medium grades this past week.
In earliest regions of southwest Ontario and along north shore Lake Erie, dormant buds on soft maple trees began swelling. Syrup producers who tap soft maple trees stopped collecting sap where buddy off-flavours have started to show up in the earliest areas.
Extended forecast for March 5 to March 11
Cold weather in central, north and eastern areas at the beginning of the week has left sap tubing, buckets and sap collection tanks frozen. Warmer thawing temperatures are expected early in the week and may become too warm for sap flow until mid-week.
The long-term weather forecast predicts that good sap flow conditions will occur towards the end of the coming week in many areas of the province, where adequate thawing occurs. Early areas may see 1 or 2 sap runs, while conditions around St. Joseph Island look excellent for sap flow this week. Northeastern regions near Algonquin, Petawawa and Ottawa will remain very cold at night and syrup producers in eastern and northern areas may not collect significant amounts of sap until late in the week or next weekend.
In earliest regions in southwest Ontario, Niagara and along the north shore of Lake Erie, syrup producers should now be monitoring all fresh sap for buddy off-flavours. Buds of soft maple trees are now swelling in earliest areas and sap will have buddy off-flavours. Sugar maple trees usually begin to break dormancy one or two weeks after soft maple trees. In mid to late areas of the province, buds on sugar maple trees remain dormant and trees remain in good condition for sap collection.
Syrup producers who are new to the business should talk to an experienced syrup maker, to learn to identify the distinctive buddy off-flavour in fresh sap, which will signal the end of sap collection for the year.