It’s been a challenging year for maple syrup producers as the chilly days have prevented the sap from flowing.
It’s a short season and a multi-million dollar industry, but Mother Nature is proving more difficult than usual for sugar shack operators. Paul Beauchamp, maintenance manager at the Wye Marsh, says the sap just isn’t running.
"Season's been rough, because of the cold days. Real cold nights are good, but the cold days are not so good; we need the pluses to get the maple syrup flowing."
The buckets were dry every day this week at the marsh. Over at Melton's Sugar Bush in Oro-Medonte, Glenn Melton doesn't like putting frozen chunks of sap into his evaporator; it's a true sign of a slow season.
"It’s really hard to make syrup when it's hard,” he says. “When it's frozen, you have to gather the buckets, it's very hard so we're just making some steam for the public to see some steam flying."
Melton has produced 40 per cent less maple syrup than he did at this time last year. It’s the nature of the business, but it's still disappointing.
"It's what Mother Nature deals and you have to take it right, so there's no guarantee in this business at all."
Temperatures are expected to hit 10 C later this week. Local maple syrup producer are optimistic the season could make a quick come back, but ultimately the rest of the season lies in the hands of Mother Nature.
