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Thread: Production Tracking

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Palmyra, NY
    Posts
    26

    Default Production Tracking

    I was just curious on what some of you guys are doing to track production in the sugarhouse (particularly from tree to final product, if that is possible). Mainly what and how you guys keep permanent records (if any) and what information I should be writing down for future reference. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Indiana, PA
    Posts
    1,116

    Default

    I have seven sap collection points, I keep track daily of how many gallons of sap from each point. Should check sugar content, but it gets mixed and I dont want to take the time to check at every tank. Then I keep track of how many taps in each bush. How many gallons of sap total for each day, the temperature/ precip for each day. As I bottle I keep track of how much syrup I've bottled. At the end of the season I can calculate overall sap to syrup ratio, sugar content for the season. I can see the gal of sap per tap average for each bush. I know I need to get a sap refractometer and start checking each bush at least a couple times per year. Always too much other stuff to do!
    Andy's Own Maple
    Andy Kinter (4th + generation maple producer)
    Approx 790 taps on vacuum

    3x10 nat. gas fired raised flue small bros.
    600 gph Lapierre RO
    Fine collection of used bulk tanks
    Kubota MX5100 sap hauler
    2 hives (that I don't spend enough time on)
    A great family that works together to make syrup!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andys...27718203945398
    http://photobucket.com/mapleack

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Cornish,NH
    Posts
    712

    Default

    Last year one of the trader on here and his family came up with somethig they called the Sugar House journal !! It was being sold in the leader catalogue as I remenber it! I wanted to pick one up but didn't get to it. It was set up so you justed plug in your information. Jim L.
    3x10 Dallalre, oil fired, Stainless steel.
    Steam hoods front and rear with preheater.
    1500 taps on vac, right to sugar house.
    900 on Gravity
    New Busch 3 Phase Vacuum. (2010)
    Lapierre 600 Turbo with 2 - 8" posts
    36 years of MAPLE ENJOYMENT!!
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hills...93710737313171

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Whately, Ma.
    Posts
    2,965

    Default

    Every bulk container I fill I record the lot number, the date and the grade. I fill a sample jar also for each bulk container so that I have it for comparison. I plan on coding each container of syrup to corespond to the bulk container so if anyone has a problem I can trace it to the bulk container.
    As for sap I keep track of how many gallons of sap I boil.
    I don't buy sap from anyone so I don't have to worry about that. I have just two bushes and the sap gets mixed together so if there was a problem with contamination I would never know about it.
    When it comes down to it if someone wanted to contaminate your sap with something it would be difficult to tell unless it affected the color or taste
    Keith

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Lyman, NH
    Posts
    2,311

    Default

    I write the cumulative total gallons on my sugarhouse wall at the end of each day I make syrup. I now have 20 years of data.
    2012: Probably 750 gravity taps and 50 buckets.

    600 gal stainless milk tank.
    2 - 100 gallon stock tanks
    one 30 gal barrel
    50 buckets

    3' x 10' Waterloo Raised Flue wood fired evaporator w/ open pans.

    12" x 20" Filter Canner

    Sawmill next to sugarhouse solves my sugarwood problem

    Gather with GMC 3500 2wd Pickup w/ 425 gallon Plastic Tank.

    Been tapping here in Lyman NH since 1989 but I've been sugaring since 8 years old in 1968.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Palmyra, NY
    Posts
    26

    Default

    So, with all this data floating around has anyone tried to compile any of this into a database, such as excel.......and I guess with that being said is there any third party software out there that might help organize all these numbers? Just curious and thank you all for your replies, this helps immensly

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Cayuta NY
    Posts
    776

    Default

    I did make an excel macro to keep track of my records
    I havent put this to the test for real but the basic program works
    It logs a running total for sap collected it records the daily sap
    I log the % sugar and this calculates the number of gallons of sap to a gallon of syrup. It also keeps a running total of syrup made for the year.
    I also track my GPH I am evaporating
    Jeff

    470 taps
    Torr Vac TV40D High Vac with Lapierre Horizontal releaser
    Leader 2x6 Patriot raised flue
    Leader 2x4 Steamaway
    Wildfire arch
    MES Dolly 300 3 post RO
    DG 7" 5 bank filter press
    and still lookin to get bigger

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Fulton, NY
    Posts
    1,374

    Default

    There is an add in one of the latest Maple Syrup Digest for a paper/book copy for record-keeping. I think it is one of those plug your #s into it. May get one myself, since I get so busy I often forget a lot of stuff. This seems easier.

    Tim
    Tim Whitens
    Willow Creek Farm
    Fulton, NY

    3000 on vacuum, 3hp 3ph Busch pump, 2567 Gast
    30X8 Leader oil-fired evap. w/ steamaway
    Airablo 1000 RO
    6 Alpacas

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