Drop and spout sanitation review
Considerable research has been conducted by the Cornell Maple Program and University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center on the effects of spout and tubing sanitation on improvements in sap yield and economics.
Tag: sanitation
Showing 1 – 10 of 24 resources
Innovations in Maple Sap Collection Systems: Reducing Clogging in 3/16” Tubing
Natural vacuum created in3/16” tubing has been a boon for many maple producers in stands where sufficient grade allows it to function properly. The column of sap moving downhill in 3/16” tubing doesn’t readily allow air bubbles to pass, but rather pushes them out of the system, creating a vacuum (Wilmot 2014, Perkins and van den Berg 2018). Unfortunately, several years of use have demonstrated that 3/16” tubing systems can be prone to clogging by microbial masses (Wilmot 2018, Perkins and vanden Berg 2019), especially at fittings (Childs 2019) where the internal diameter is greatly reduced.
Effect of spout deployment date and drop configuration on sap yield
Because of the lack of knowledge on this topic and the frequent questions we received about the proper practice, we implemented a study in the summer of 2022 to examine the single and interactive effect of spout deployment date and open verses closed drops on sap yield.
Sugar House Discharge
Patrick Fry (Ag engineer with VT Agency of Ag. Food and Markets) covers issues related to maple operations and possible water quality issues. This presentation discusses easy (and cheap) solutions for mitigate most concerns the VT Agency of Agriculture (VAAFM) and Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) may have. The talk also covers VAAFM grant programs and how/when they may be applicable.
Analysis of plastic residues in maple sap and syrup collected from tubing systems sanitized with isopropyl alcohol
A plastic tubing system operated under vacuum is usually used to collect sap from maple trees during spring time to produce maple syrup. This system is commonly sanitized with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to remove microbial contamination colonizing the system during the sugar season. Questions have been raised whether IPA would contribute to the leaching of plastic residues in maple sap and syrup coming from sanitized systems.
Maple Syrup Quality Control Manual
The most important contribution to the production of high quality maple syrup and syrup products is cleanliness and attention to detail in all parts of the production process. This manual provides guidance for doing so.
2014 -15 Maple Tubing Research
In 2014 and 2015 the focus of the tubing and taphole sanitation research changed dramatically. Tests conducted in 2013 showed that if the spout and drop line were adequately sanitized sap yield comparable to a new spout and drop could be obtained. With the assistance of a grant from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension program of the USDA and in cooperation with the Proctor Maple Research Center in Vermont, a variety of spout and drop cleaning and replacement options were tested to determine the extent of sap yield changes.
Annual Meeting Research Presentations
Summaries of research presentations at the 2014 annual NAMSC meeting.
Cleaning Tubing Systems
There are a number of ways to clean tubing systems to avoid microbial contamination of tapholes and sap.
Improve Yield and Profits: Replace and clean taps and drops
Using new or clean taps and droplines has a significant impact on sap production.,