Sugarbush Management

Going solar: Powering the sugarhouse with the sun

Deborah Jeanne Sergeant | July 2017

According to the Governor’s office, solar use in New York grew 300 percent from 2011 to 2014. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision program plans to spend $1 billion on solar, which can help ag operators better afford to install solar panels.

Additional solar growth in New York State could come from another element in the REV program, a proposed $5 billion Clean Energy Fund, which would put investments into play over the next ten years across four portfolios: Market Development, Innovation and Research, NY Green Bank and NY-Sun.

Though this statistic includes numerous agricultural operations, many of those are dairies. Few of them are maple sugar producers. [ MORE ]

Opinion: How is sugaring like dairy farming?

David Folino | May 2017

I live and sugar in Addison County Vermont. In my area there are plenty of dairy farmers and plenty of sugar makers. I have quite a few friends who are dairy farmers and I am familiar with the business. I’ve watched the price of milk fluctuate dramatically over the past four decades, and during that time, I’ve watched dairy farmers use a strategy which seemed counterproductive and doomed to failure. [ MORE ]

Expert provides tips on sugarbush appraisal

Paul Post | March 2017

BRATTLEBORO, VT. — Understanding the ins and outs of property appraisals can maple producers make well-informed, wise decisions before purchasing sugarbush.

Whether the site has an existing operation or its virgin woodland, Bob Guay of Yankee Farm Credit, explained the many things involved with an appraisal and the help that’s available, during the Jan. 21. Winter Maple Conference in Brattleboro, Vt. [ MORE ]

Company can map your sugarbush with a drone

Peter Gregg | Nov. 2016

The future keeps catching up to the maple industry.

One of Quebec’s leading technology innovators is offering drone services to sugarmakers, helping producers map out their sugarbush with real arial photos and 3D graphic images of sugarhouses. [ MORE ]

Enhancing tree regeneration following forest harvesting

Peter Smallidge | September 2016

Many wooded properties are harvested prior to the sale of the land. Unfortunately, these harvest may not give adequate attention to the multi-year process that is necessary to ensure the woods are successfully regenerated following the removal of numerous canopy dominate trees. [ MORE ]

Enhancing tree regeneration

Peter Smallidge | September 2016

Many wooded properties are harvested prior to the sale of the land. Unfortunately, these harvest may not give adequate attention to the multi-year process that is necessary to ensure the woods are successfully regenerated following the removal of numerous canopy dominate trees. [ MORE ]

Logs to Lumber

Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension | Aug. 18, 2016

A common feature of managed woods, and an aspect that has made them popular among farmers, woodlot owners and maple producers is the potential to harvest logs and produce boards. Managing your woods for lumber involves consideration of the logs for lumber, but also cultivating the woods to ensure future productivity and healthy trees. If the woods are mined rather than tended, future options and opportunities may be eliminated.
[ MORE ]

Strategies to control American beech

Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension Forester and Director | Aug. 17, 2016

American beech and many other native and non-native woody plants can dominate a woodland, exclude or limit the regeneration of desired plant species, and limit the biodiversity of the site. In high abundance, these species can complicate access for maple producers. [ MORE ]