2024 season

[Brian]

That sounds right, what ever they do in California they do in Vt. Check This out https://vermontmaple.org/client_medi...Jan%202024.pdf

[Brian]

I know there is alot of equipment new with copper in them. I think Leader was still making pre heaters with your choice of copper or stainless until last year or the year before. I know the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association is pushing bulk buyers to not buy from producers that are not certified. I feel like a Farmer with 35 cows not enough money and too much work.

[Brian]

I was told that lead free had to go but found this in frequently asked questions.
13. If my sugarhouse has equipment that might contain lead, what is the highest
reading (%) I can receive on a lead test and still be Certified?
VMSMA will not be Certifying any sugarhouse that has equipment containing lead (so the
percent allowed is 0%). The solution will be to eliminate any equipment that might contain
any trace of lead such as brass fittings and valves, and galvanized buckets and tanks. We
understand some of the new brass is stamped “LF” for lead free and that will be allowed.

So I changed a bunch of things for nothing!! I wish the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers asses would get things figured out

[Brian]

I got off the phone with the Vt maple sugarmakers and this is the new #13 of frequently asked questions. I left a message yesterday and they called back and up dated the site to fix the lead free questions. There is no mention of lead free brass at all so they still did not clarify if you can use lead free brass or not. They did say the legal limit for lead in maple syrup is 250 parts per billion or less.


13. If my sugarhouse has equipment that might contain lead, what is the highest
reading (%) I can receive on a lead test and still be Certified?
VMSMA will not be Certifying any sugarhouse that has equipment containing lead (so the
percent allowed is 0%). The solution will be to eliminate any equipment that might
contain any trace of lead such as brass fittings and valves, and galvanized buckets and
tanks.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Yikes- sounds like they pooched that one. You won't be the only one upset

[Brian]

I have been getting ready for tapping, I believe Glenn Goodrich is starting today. I think he told me they were going to start the first monday in december. I have all of the vacuum sensors up and lines almost walked for the 3rd time this fall. I need a few things still De, defoamer, pre-filters and filter press papers. I plan on start tapping around jan 18 2025 that is in around 50 days.

[Brian]

The news said they are making syrup all ready So would this be called this years syrup or next years syrup? https://www.mynbc5.com/article/maple...early/63251430

[Brian]

I went to MES today with my cousin Thad. We came home with 2 pallets of De, one for each of us and a pallet of pre filters. I took 12 cases he keep the rest. There got that done nice day to be out for a ride. Now I need 2 cases of sap filters and 2 boxes of 10 press papers and that should do it. I hope to start drilling in 3 weeks. That is not far away.

[Brian]

I walked the north woods today and didn't find anything to fix, everything was right & tight. There are around 1500 over there. I was suprised to find the snow was up to my knees. I was headed to another woods to start walking and the rain started and by the time I got home I was soaked so that didn't happen. I changed my clothes and worked around the sugar house. I had a few friends stop over this weekend and pick up there De & pre filters that I picked up for them and got to talk sugaring with them. I am getting an itchy trigger finger.

[Brian]

All the empty barrels are home. The lines are all walked and up, ready to be taped. There are some trees that are broke off up about 20 feet up so I will tap them this year but next year I will be pulling the tap. I got to start the heat in the ro room in a couple of weeks. About 18 days left before starting to tap.