The Official U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2016 2016 | Page 32

OHIO MAPLE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION PO Box 1083 Burton, Ohio 44021, [email protected], www.ohiomaple.org SUMMARY OF SEASON OFFICERS O hio Producers knew it was going to be a disappointing year for maple syrup production and the USDA NASS report verified their worst fears. 2016 was a real bummer across the entire state. The total production for the state dropped from 115,000 gallons in 2015 to 70,000 gallons in 2016. The Yield per tap is general ly a good production indicator. Over the previous two seasons (2014 & 2015) the average amount of syrup produced per tap was 0.275 of a gallon of syrup produced per tap. In 2016 the production dropped to 0.189 of a gallon per tap. Normally Ohio will exceed most states in production per tap but this year’s production was on the verge of disaster. Another statistic that was very puzzling was the total number of taps recorded for 2016. This year the number of taps put out in Ohio dropped from 450,000 to 370,000 taps. For most Ohio maple syrup producers the season ended three weeks earlier than the normal. Ohio Maple Producer‘s Association President 32 Dan Brown President Fredericktown, Ohio dnbrown33@gmail. com 740-694-7768 Karl Evans Vice President Orwell, Ohio mayhillmaplr@gmail. com AL BAXTER AND SON JARRED BAXTER of Stumpwater Farm in Sullivan, Ohio. Baxter was one of many Ohio sugarmakers who suffered through a challenging season. But his D&G dealership, which also features Smoky Lake Maple Products and MemProTec R/Os is as busy as ever, as Ohio producers continue to expand rapidly, he said. Dan Brown summed up the 2016 season in one sentence: “Ohio did not have a short season, but it definitely had a very early season, that many producers almost missed.” For Dan and others all across the state that started on the 20th of January, it was a 6 week season. For others that tapped at a more traditional time, it was a very short 2 week season with reduced production. The season ended during the first 10 days of March. Dan also made this comment: “Vacuum tubing and taphole sanitation paid big dividends for many produc- ers. For bucket producers, who lock their end of the season date in on the day they tap, it was a real gamble.” Tap early and go out early or bet on a traditional tapping date and a normal season. For producers with vacuum tubing, in a world with climate change, the risks are still there but so are the rewards. There were a couple of warnings that this season was going to come early. December 2015 was one of the warmest on record. Christmas day was 65 degrees and El Nino was in control. Les Ober, Ohio State University Aggie Sojka Sperry Secretary Chardon, Ohio Paul Snavely Treasurer Republic, Ohio [email protected] Chuck Walker Membership Chairman Johnston, Ohio EVENTS OMPA Annual Meeting and Tour July 15 & 16, 2016 www.ohiomaple.org Lake Erie Maple Expo November 11 & 12, 2016 www.pamaple.org U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2016