Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[WestfordSugarworks]

Here in Westford we've made about 300 gallons on the same system that last year produced about 850 gallons. But today and yesterday the sap hammered right in. Those few days last week of 50 and 60 degree weather seemed to thaw the trees out for big runs. We are hoping that things don't warm up too much like they are forecasted too. Nothing better than seeing the various trucks and tractors hauling sap around town. It's beautiful.

[Sugarmaker's dad]

Finally after a snowy start, the sun is out and sap is rolling down the pipeline at 800+ gph.

[spud]

Woke up to snow on the branches today. By 9:30 am the sap started running. By 12:00 I was getting 1500 GPH. Was able to ship 10,000 gallons today and I have another 2500 in the tank. I need three more weeks just like today and I will be happy.

Spud

[GeneralStark]

No freeze last night but the sap ran steady all day. Over 2 gpt since yesterday am when it froze up a couple hours ago. I lost track of exactly how much sap I processed today, but I ended up making 37 gallons of Golden Delicate. Over 160 total so far.

The sugar content dropped to about 1.9% today, but it should come back up after a hard freeze tonight. Will be back at it tomorrow am...

[DoubleBrookMaple]

Things are good for me in the southern greens. Two days at 1 gpt! Love this home made vacuum system of mine, and it has performed flawlessly Lightly freezing up for two days now, and maybe the last good run starts on Friday the way it looks. No freeze ups in the forecast after that.

[Sugarmaker's dad]

2:00 am just finished cleaning up after boiling 6500 gallons from today. Filled 4 barrels.

[Vtmaple2]

Just got home, made little over 4 barrels tonight. This was only our second boil. It has been to cold for a good sap flow. Sugar content has been very good, testing close to 3%. My father always said you don't make syrup in our woods until the brook opens up. The brook just opened up this week! 1/3 of a "normal" crop is about right for us right now. Hope that changes! On the bright side our new Leader HC RO is saving us time and wood!

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

tired of boiling dumping sap around 170 gal syrup made not very good year eeven with high vac on around 460 trees, still have wood left but beat up need real ro and bigger arch, if all works out 2x6 will be for sale

[northwoods_forestry]

tired of boiling dumping sap around 170 gal syrup made not very good year even with high vac on around 460 trees, still have wood left but beat up need real ro and bigger arch, if all works out 2x6 will be for sale

I'll take your left over wood. I'm down to 1/2 cord and sap is still pouring in!

Only added vacuum to 250 taps, but that certainly is helping. We are nearing 0.2 gallons of syrup/tap. Average for us is 0.15/tap. Our best year was 0.21/tap.

[Tucker08]

With no decent freezes in the forecast, I am feeling like it is the end for me down here in Shaftsbury. We made another 11 gallons last night, which put us over the 80 gallon mark. More than I expected to make, even on a 3.5 week season. I am going to see what it does this week then will likely push water through the evaporator and pull taps. Next year I will add another 100 taps and a second membrane on the RO. The firewood savings with that RO is amazing. I still have enough wood for next year left in the pile. We put a 5.8kw solar array on one of our barns this year and during the day when the RO was running the panels were still sending power back to the grid.