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Plan now to attend the Lake Erie Maple Expo
| September 14, 2023
ALBION, Pa.—The Lake Erie Maple Expo in Northwestern PA gives lots of learning opportunities and insight into the art of Maple Syrup.
The show will feature classes for the expert as well as for the hobbyist.
This year, producers will have five workshop topics to choose from.
A sample agenda for the Friday Workshops potentially includes;
● Maple Tubing Installation layout and design
● Maple Confections and Value Added Maple Products
● A Maple Workshop for Beginners
● Advanced Tubing & Vacuum
[ MORE ]
Seal up your sap collection tanks
Peter Gregg | July 11, 2023
SHELBURNE FALLS, Mass.—Sealing up the tanks makes for cleaner sap.
Hunter Sessions, 22, and father Criag Sessions of Winston’s Sugar House in Shelburne Falls, Mass. have sealed up thier sap collection tanks airtight.
“You try to keep the sap as clean as you can before you process it,” Craig Sessions said.
“You don't want it filling up with rainwater or any other contaminants in there.”
Hunter said the less particles or dirt in the tank, the better it is for the RO membranes. [ MORE ]
Vermont maple recognizes outstanding sugarmakers
| June 27, 2023
RICHFORD, Vt.—The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association (VMSMA) presented the 2023 Annual Maple Awards and announced winners of their first annual maple contest at their annual meeting held on Saturday.
Outstanding Sugar Maker Award was given to Cody Armstrong, of Randolph Center, Vt.
Armstrong represents the next generation of Vermont sugar makers by focusing on achieving high yields, producing high quality syrup, and contributing to the vitality of the Vermont maple industry, the VMSMA said.
Amstrong has also shown interest in supporting students interested in maple by volunteering at the Vermont FFA Maple Career Development Event and looks forward to mentoring the next generation of sugar makers. [ MORE ]
New from Leader + H20, Exactap tapping tool
Peter Gregg | June 27, 2023
SWANTON, Vt.—Leader + H20 has introduced a new tapping-assist tool.
New from Leader + H20 the Exactap tree tapping tool. It retails for $499. Available at all dealers for the upcoming season.
Currently the item has two fittings—one for a DeWalt drill and the other for a Milwaukee drill.
Designed to perfect and stabilize tap hole drilling.
Quick detach tool can be removed after the season and use the drill the rest of the year. [ MORE ]
Dealer open houses and Vt. Maple Festival this weekend
Peter Gregg | April 24, 2025
SWANTON, Vt.—The big maple equipment manufacturers will be hosting open houses this weekend in Franklin County, Vt. where producers can see demonstrations and seminars and enjoy big discounts on equipment orders for next season.
Multiple dealer open houses will be starting tomorrow morning and through Saturday afternoon, all within a few miles of each other in Franklin County, Vt.
Running at the same time will be the can’t-miss Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans, Vt., which features maple exhibits, a grand parade.
Here is the website link to the festival: https://www.vermontmaplefestival.com
[ MORE ]
Maple industry in Vermont thriving
Peter Gregg | January 30, 2023
RANDOLPH, Vt.—The maple industry is mostly thriving but some challenges lie ahead.
That was the message from a panel of industry experts during the VMSMA & UVM Extension winter conference last month.
“I’m always optimistic but it seems we are at a bit of a crossroads,” said Arnold Coombs of Coombs Family Maple and the primary sales agent for Bascom Maple Farms.
Coombs said retail grocery stores are not happy with syrup price increases, as inflation catches up with the industry overall.
On the production side, the trees and sap production are thriving.
“The maple industry is in a really healthy position,” said Dr. Tim Perkins of the UVM Proctor Maple Research Center. “We're doing quite well and learning more and more each year.” [ MORE ]
Bulk market flush with carryover syrup for 2023
Peter Gregg | January 6, 2023
ALSTEAD, N.H.—A large carryover of last year’s massive crop is expected as producers gear up for—and in some cases, begin—the 2023 season.
Bruce Bascom of Bascom Maple Farms said he would likely have enough carryover syrup from 2022 to last until at least April of this year.
Sales at the retail level have tapered off, he said.
“This year the crop was a lot bigger than you think, it’s probably 70 or 75 million pounds,” he said.
Bascom said there is at least 35 million pounds of drum syrup in the field, which is up by more than 100 percent over 2021.
“It's more than doubled,” he told The Maple News. [ MORE ]
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