The Official U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2015 | Page 33

VERMONT MAPLE SUGAR MAKERS ASSOCIATION 491 East Barnard Road, South Royalton, VT 05068, [phone], [email protected], www.vermontmaple.org SUMMARY OF SEASON T heThe 2015 maple season was similar to 2014 – cold, late, and quick. Snowfall throughout the winter and frigid temperatures made working in the woods very difficult. Cold temperatures lingered well into late March, so much so that the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend held on March 28 and 29 meant that many sugar makers were without sap. Shortly thereafter we began to experience a thaw and the season commenced in full. Many producers have reported making the majority of their crop in a handful of days and that their equipment was put to the test in an effort to keep up with sap flow. Geography and topography seemed to play a huge role in determining the outcome this year, as those in the southern part of the state, on generally southern slopes, or in valley locations mostly had great sap runs and good overall production. Higher elevations seemed to struggle as the cold temperatures quickly gave way to temperatures at which sap would spoil more quickly. Those with vacuum systems report much better yield and production than those on gravity-fed tubing or those using buckets. Many sugar makers report the sap being sweet and of good quality. Overall, this year’s crop seems to be excellent, showing great flavor. Reports indicate that most of the crop is either Golden Col- or with Delicate Taste or Amber Color with Rich Taste. A smaller percentage of Dark Color with Robust Taste was made and there appears to be little Very Dark Color with Strong Taste out there. In talking with sugar makers and processors, there seems to be a very small percentage of off-flavored syrup out there. The season was challenging for all and some producers definitely had difficult years. In general, according to USDA NASS figures, statewide yield was the same as last year, resulting in a slightly larger crop in 2015 due to an increase in taps. — Matthew Gordon, Executive Director Left: Jake Hastings of Jake’s Family Maple in Burke, Vt. receives the 2015 Ray Foulds Young Sugarmakers Award at the Vermont Maplerama Tour. Presenting the award is Caledonia County Sugarmakers Association president Jeff Goodwin. Right: Contest entrants on display at the Vermont Maplerama Tour in Lyndonville, Vt. in July. Winner of the Best of Class “Word’s Best Maple Syrup Award” was Happy Hill Maple Farms of Lyndonville for their Amber Rich. U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2015 33