We're #2!

[Homespun]

New York edged out Maine for the #2 syrup producer spot this past season, but by only 1,000 gallons....
http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S348...html?cat=12415

[Moser's Maple]

wouldn't be bragging too much cause maine also has something like 100,000 less taps.............. that doesn't say much for us NYers

[FDA]

I took a # 2 once while diving thru NY on my way to Maine.

[K.I. Joe]

We will get you next year LOL

[maple flats]

Yes, but Vermont's total was more than Maine and NY combined. We New Yorkers need to grow a lot. As far as the maple resource is concerned, NY could far exceed Vermont if we tapped the % of our maples that Vermont does.

[500592]

Also a lot of big operations on the border bring sap from maine into Canada if that stayed here in maine we defiantly would have beat you.

[maple flats]

I often wonder what the real numbers are, but we will likely never know. Many of us report accurately, but there are some out there that just don't understand the industry benefits to reporting the correct numbers. They are afraid it will cost them in the end.
The US Ag Census I'm sure plugs in a fudge factor the sort of account for those who refuse to report, but how could they really know the exact scope of them.
Please, for next year, let's get everyone's production counted, in all states and provinces. Doing so will mean the maple industry will benefit in research $, and grant $, thus helping all.

[jmayerl]

I agree with flats........but the problem is no one has ever asked me to report any numbers to them. I'm sure there are a few hundred people just like me in wisconsin also.

[BreezyHill]

You would not want all the taps counted. This would upset the apple cart. For all those that are not counted and then suddenly are you will see a large increase in the count and this will affect the production numbers.

For 10 years I was a reporter of pricing of sales for ag and markets for hay. It is a really awkward position to be in; knowing that your sales affects people in several states. When a customer is taking 36 semi loads a year he gets a different price than the guy that gets two, but this is not reflected in the price on reports.

So an additional 25,000 taps on gravity counted and 10,000 on high vac that is missed who has more impact on production and retail sales?

In the corn market operations purposely down size the planted acres to drive up the price, and then sell futures to lock in a good price. That is why the harvested and planted numbers never work out with the production yields. The guy producing 400 bushel to the acre counts the same as the guy only getting 100 bu/ac.

Tap counts are only a barometer of conditions for prospective production. While it may be a proud moment to be part of the top 5 production states for some it is more important to sell our gourmet products for the best price we can and to please the customers so they will buy again.

Congratulations to all producers for maintaining a way of life, feeding the world, and educating the masses....Keep up the good work!!!

Ben

[Scribner's Mountain Maple]

I wonder also how they count taps, and who they are asking? I am in Central Vermont with almost 2300 taps and nobody asked me how many taps I had, or how much production I had? Just wondering if they are only counting producers above 10,000 or something? And I am in the Vermont Maple producers association, so they aren't asking, or maybe they did when I filled out a form? If so, that was years ago? I have no idea how they get the numbers? Dr. Tim?

Ben