Showing 1 – 10 of 59 matching resources

A production survey of sugarmakers

A summary of the current state of maple production in New England is based on surveys returned from approximately 163 sugarmakers in April, 2009.

A Summary of Research to Improve Vacuum in Maple Tubing Systems

Research conducted at the University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center over several years to explore a variety of methods to potentially increase sap yields from tubing systems through modifications of the lateral/dropline portion of the sap collection system.

Alternative fuels for evaporators

Wood chips, wood pellets, and used vegetable oil can all be used to fire properly adapted evaporators. Each has advantages and challenges.

Avoiding equipment trouble

Common problems with sugaring equipment and how to avoid them.

Comparison of the “Small” Spout with the Traditional 7/16″ Spout

The “small” spout, 19/64″ or 5/16″ in diameter, has been widely available to maple producers since the mid to late 1990’s as a “healthy” alternative to the traditional 7/16″ spout. While now in general use by producers in some regions, particularly those collecting sap by vacuum, the utility of these smaller spouts is still questioned by many sugarmakers, particularly those collecting sap by gravity. This article will review several studies conducted at the University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center comparing 7/16″ spouts with small spouts (for the purposes of this article, 5/16″, and 19/64″ will be considered equally as “small” spouts).

Conducting and understanding experiments in maple operations

Research studies must follow certain rules in order for the findings to be valid. This column discusses a few of these simple rules: comparison of treatment vs. control, replication, dealing with natural variation, and statistical validity.

Energy use in maple operations

A summary of a presentation on energy efficiency in maple production.