Maple syrup producers surprised and delighted by early season
Maple syrup producers across the region are scrambling to tap their lines before Mother Nature freezes operations.
"In our 28 years of making maple syrup here, this is the earliest we've ever started," said Kent Breedon, Breedon's Maple Syrup in Alliston.
The mild February weather kicked off the season early for syrup producers by two to three weeks.
"It's been going very well. So far, we've made 40 per cent of our crop from our trees here. It's excellent quality. We're just hoping after this cold spell the trees will run again for us," Breedon added.
The Alliston operation is the largest maple syrup producer in Simcoe County, with more than 12,500 trees to tap on about 125 acres.
The weather conditions over the coming weeks will determine whether it will be a bumper crop kind of year.
"Last year was our best year ever. This year, if we get the proper weather, we could surpass," Breedon said.
John Williams' sugar bush in Tay Township also got an early start.
"We took in a gallon and a half in 24 hours, which for this time of year is pretty good," he said.
"We really love those springs where everybody else is complaining, you know, when is this ever going to end? That's perfect for us. Just keep it cool, you know, a little below zero, a little above zero. That's perfect for us," Williams said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.