The key thing is that it is COLD, so the microbes don't grow very fast. Regardless, there will be some yield loss in the mid-late part of the spring season if you tap tap in December...no matter how good your sanitation or vacuum level is.
https://mapleresearch.org/pub/vt20earlytap/
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
Hey VT Sugarmakers,
We're looking to buy raw sap or concentrate this season and beyond. We have a sugarhouse in Westford where we could receive sap/concentrate and a remote sugarbush in Jericho where we can receive sap/concentrate. Our Jericho bush is only 10 minutes off of I 89. We pay competitively, much better than the 50/50 split that I understand to be norm outside of Northwest and North Central Vermont.
Call or Text me!
802 324 7112
-Will Dunkley
Based on your website, the sap, or concentrate would need to be both organic and Audubon certified, right?.Originally Posted by WestfordSugarworks
Ken & Sherry
Williston, VT
16x34 Sugarhouse
1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/
Yes. I need to do more research on bird friendly, but definitely we need sellers to be organic. How are peoples woods looking after the storm?
The rules and enforcement are not as robust as for NOFA. However, it comes down to your integrity. If you label your product as Audubon bird-friendly, then it should be accurate. Therefore, you take the label off or buy from certified sap producers.
Ken
Ken & Sherry
Williston, VT
16x34 Sugarhouse
1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/
Hey to all you Vermont tappers. We are here in NEK and wondering what’s going on in everyone’s woods? We usually tap at the end of the month for anticipated February runs. For some reason I am not finding anyone’s updates for this 2023 season upon us. Have any opinions on the weather and what’s coming and when you are tapping. We are curious to see what the season will hold…
No plans to change anything. The crew will start tapping in a few more weeks (~6,500 taps, 2 tappers). Spouts were deployed (put on drops) earlier. We didn't have any extensive tree damage from the storms...so just the usual woods cleanup anticipated.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
Thanks Tim. We decided to get out there today and start tapping. We only have 150 taps on vacuum, 8 gravity and half dozen drops to buckets, so we will be done tomorrow. I figured with this good 2 week continuous freeze they are predicting, we can get our taps in and start banging out the kinks and before it gets flowing. Found myself in the sugar house today reassembling the Waterloo Lapierre Small propane evaporator and needing to chase down some gaskets. I also need to brush up on putting the rear pan float together as I think I’m either missing a part or am going insane. Need to talk with my friend Google and get a schematic for the layout. We definitely wish you all the Best Season Ever 2023!!
Dr. Perkins, How long before you retire? Are you going to work through this sugar season?
2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
made 17 gal. syrup
2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
2021 - Didn't work out
2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start
Officially retiring June 30, 2023. However I have 3.5 months of vacation to use before then. Basically the only time I WILL be at pmrc is during sugaring season from Mar 1 - Apr 15.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
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