Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[DrTimPerkins]

We got some wind today and both our bushes dropped 1/2 inch of vacuum. Anyone experience that? Not sure if it was the wind dropping branches on lines and pulling out a spout, or just maybe some tap holes finally ceasing to flow sap after so many days, and that creating extra air flow from that hole. What do you think?

As the temperature increases, the amount of gases the trees produce via respiration (trees "breathe" too) increases, which makes your vacuum level drop off a little.

[WestfordSugarworks]

Thank you, Dr. Tim. I knew that trees respired more as the temps increased but never connected that to the level of tree gas increasing. Makes sense to me. Now that makes me optimistic that we will be pulling 28.4 tomorrow! I checked every line for leaks last Thursday and fixed everything, but we only were pulling 27.9, although last year we were able to attain 28.4. I went through and tightened every saddle this summer because so many of them were leaking, and I expected we could pull a little bit higher or at least the same this year. guess we'll see.

[GeneralStark]

I processed all the sap that came in from Friday night through yesterday at about 5 when it froze back up after a good run yesterday. Made another 20 gal. of AR. Up to about 80 for season so far. The grade didn't drop since last boil despite the temp. getting to 70 here Sat. afternoon. The sugar content did drop off to about 1.6 after being at 2 last week. A solid freeze last night will hopefully bring it back up. Got the RO and tanks all cleaned, now that the ice melted, and going to soak the syrup pans over night to be ready for what will hopefully be a productive several days. Looks like we may get a break for a couple days next weekend, or maybe not...It has definitely been an interesting season so far.....

[woodfordmark]

Missed last week here in Bennington and spent Sunday afternoon tapping in the cold. Never seen a sap run like I did today and its still going strong. Tested 2.3%

[Tucker08]

Having a good season so far. Loving the new rig. It is all I hoped it would be. One small issue with a syrup pan float, but I will figure that out soon. Saving so much time and wood. We have boiled 4 times and have 30% our LY crop in already. It is a whole new world. AOF arch is amazing. It is still nice light syrup. Really distinct vanilla flavor.


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[GeneralStark]

Had a great sap run yesterday into today. About 2gpt in 24 hours at 2.1%. Only a marginal freeze last night so sap flow has moderated but still flowing well. Had to run the RO last night make room in the tanks. Going to boil later today and see what this sap makes...

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

boiled 3 times made about 24 gal, all high vac tapping out gravity this weekend. 2.4 to 8 one pass in home made ro.

[GeneralStark]

boiled 3 times made about 24 gal, all high vac tapping out gravity this weekend. 2.4 to 8 one pass in home made ro.

Was starting to worry seeing as you haven't posted yet for the 2017 season....

[GeneralStark]

Made a little over 30 gal. this evening. Half AR and other half GD. Too bad I spilled a bucket on the floor or I would have had a few gallons more.... Awesome flavor. Sap still running ok...Thinking I will hold sap til Thursday and then boil and push everything through with water so as to clean the flue pan before sugaring season version 2 starts next week.

Had an interesting time setting the auto draw tonight as it was at first 3 degrees higher than last boil, but then dropped back to 1 degree above last boil. Wind really picked up too so there's something going on with the weather...

[wiam]

We made about 60 gallons tonight and 50 on Sunday. Tanks are not empty but the RO needed clean so we will start again in the AM. Looks like it will run all night here. Already warming up.