Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[VT Maple]

I think we are coming to the end of the season. 1125 taps and we have made 535 gallons to date. Probable finish up this weekend.

[DrTimPerkins]

Is there any word on how CA is doing on production. I could imagine a lot less syrup being produced this year overall.

From what I have heard California (CA) has had a rather poor maple syrup season so far.

For Canada, it is far too early to tell. In many places they really are only just starting.

Canadian prices for the 2015 season crop have already been set. They won't change. U.S. prices might change slightly, depending upon the 2015 U.S. crop and the 2015 Canadian crop, but they won't stray too far from the prices already set after factoring in the exchange rate.

[DrTimPerkins]

The weather man say's it is going down to 37 tonight. Right now it is 33 and getting colder. My woods already froze up about a half hour ago. The same weather man is saying all next week the night temps will not go below 35. Something tells me we will have 3-4 nights next week that will go below freezing temp. I think I have two full weeks left of sugaring in my area and maybe more.

I hope you're right Spud. The NWS has been off (prediction too warm) by several degrees each day for the last few weeks. At this point I'd like that to continue so we can get a few more decent freeze-ups. We'll be OK if it doesn't (hit 63% of our minimum crop last night, with a good amount of sap to boil today), but would be in much better shape if it does freeze another time or two.

[ryebrye]

I hope you're right Spud. The NWS has been off (prediction too warm) by several degrees each day for the last few weeks. At this point I'd like that to continue so we can get a few more decent freeze-ups. We'll be OK if it doesn't (hit 63% of our minimum crop last night, with a good amount of sap to boil today), but would be in much better shape if it does freeze another time or two.

Something in the weather models may be shifting. I've been watching a few raw weather site and aggregators - forecast.io is predicting a freeze on Wednesday night now. Things may change between now and then.

I'm hoping you guys get good weather so that whatever studies you are conducting have data that applies to more than just strange years.

Think there is a slight chance of a freeze tonight (NOAA's rapid refresh data model is predicting slightly below freezing. Higher elevations may be more likely to freeze tonight.

[spud]

Sap is running 400 GPH today. Was able to get 3500 gallons over night. Yesterday's total was 8000 gallons of sap. Dr. Tim if we don"t have any freeze ups this coming week do you think we are done. It still seems very wintery around here. I really don't see the buds coming out this week even if it stays warm. What do you think?

Spud

[GeneralStark]

Sap still running well, though sugar has come down to 1.7 from 2 yesterday. Boiled today and made another 10 gallons. Right on the GD/AR line. I'm hoping for at least one more freeze and tonight seems like 75% chance of that happening.

[DrTimPerkins]

Dr. Tim if we don"t have any freeze ups this coming week do you think we are done. It still seems very wintery around here. I really don't see the buds....

It'll keep running for a while with good vacuum, but the sugar content and sap quality will decline. Much depends on the high temperatures reached.

[woodchuck]

We have had a great run since Good Friday. This Fridays low temps never materialized. 38 degrees here at the moment, really need to see a cold one tonight. We are at about 75% of last season but, all our sap has been clean and clear.

[northwoods_forestry]

That's it for us. Sap is still running but just swept up the woodshed and threw the sweepings in the firebox. Burned every last wood scrap in sight. Our best season yet for total production.

Good luck to everyone still going!

[can'twaitforabigrun]

Ryebrye, I agree with your thoughts on a possible freeze midweek. Here are the forecast lows across New England tonight:HRRRAPRIL11.jpg