Maple syrup season arrives early at Canada’s most southern sugar shack
Maple tree tapping started a week sooner than usual in southern Ontario where a mild winter has maple syrup hobbyists and producers hoping things cool down.
Sap buckets were overflowing less than 24 hours after being installed in Ruscom Station, Essex County.
“So far so good,” said Rob Nadeau, Ruscom Maple Products owner and operator.
“The heat that we've had, it’s just been ridiculous for the month of February,” Nadeau added. “We started looking at should we tap or shouldn't we tap. Again looking at the patterns down south of us, they’re tapping already so let's give it a shot.”
According to Nadeau, 456 silver maple trees were hand tapped at his family operated farm on Feb. 7, with 100 more to follow soon.
According to Rob Nadeau, Ruscom Maple Products owner and operator, tapping of maple syrup trees began a week earlier than usual in 2023. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)He said things traditionally get underway on Valentine’s Day based on how producers are operating south of the border in U.S. states like Ohio and Indiana, believing his operation to be the southern most in all of Canada.
“If this early run is any indication with the cold snap coming next week, we're hoping to have a run right into the end of March.”
But, Nadeau fears if more winter-like weather doesn’t return soon, the sweetest season ever could be cut short.
“It's going to be our biggest year of all time,” Nadeau explained. “There's no doubt as long as the sap runs. If the heat stays and the trees start budding, the sap will no longer be good. So we're hoping that's not the case. And I think I've got faith in nature and it's [going to] come.”
The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association said freezing temperatures are needed at night to keep sap flowing during the day.
According to Rob Nadeau, Ruscom Maple Products owner and operator, tapping of maple syrup trees began a week earlier than usual in 2023. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)“Compared to what we had 20, 30, 40 years ago, we're already regularly tapping ahead of that,” said President John Williams. “And now we seem to be looking at an extra week or two ahead this year.”
He continued, “Once we’re tapped, if we get a lot of that minus five at night and plus five in the daytime, then we can we can still have a good season.”
Williams told CTV News Windsor, “At this point, I wouldn't say anyone is panicking. We're certainly concerned. We can still have a good season. But, we're trying to be ready to make the best of it.”
Williams noted Ontario ranked third in the country for maple syrup production, behind Quebec and New Brunswick. He encouraged more people to consider the seasonal industry, and said there were currently 600 OMSPA members registered, but likely thousands of hobbyists across the province.
“We have more available trees in Ontario than Quebec, so there's a lot of potential,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.