Freezing Weather Delays Syrup Production ITHACA, N.Y. Freezing weather conditions have delayed most of Western New York maple syrup production by at least 10 days. Preliminary reports indicate that many maple syrup produc ers were delayed in tapping their trees due to freezing weather con ditions during late February and early March. Reports by producers indicate that most maple trees will be tapped for maple syrup produc tion by March 15 for western New York and that production will be that of an average year. The prolonged freezing tem peratures delayed our normal window for tapping trees by at least 10 days. In most areas, maple trees were still frozen solid m most places as of March 10. Tapping trees during freezing weather conditions promotes maple trees to crack and may cause permanent damage to the tree. The « m afLi * £ IMto&GQ®. [MkrpMl PDmS P@&o] Nutra‘Flo®PureGrade™ Liquid Plant Food has the highest nutrient uSablfity available. When'applied Irl-furibW, 2x2, foliar or in a transplant solution, you achieve greater fertilizer efficiency with lower rates., .resulting in greater profits. Will Not Rust Equipment... Low Rates per Acre Low Salt... Chloride-Free... Neutral pH 100% Available... Lower Costs, Higher Yields 10-10-10 5-15-15 9-18-9 Above Grades Include Micronutrient Package Ask about 0-0-30, 20-0-0-8 & RGS - the Root Growth Stimulator Buy Direct and SAVE! sjkefc PARS, Inc. Elizabethtown, PA • 800-929-2676 CALL TODAY' Reduce your fertilizer bill when you buy direct from the distributor Dealers wanted Protected territories available Regardless of current weather conditions, we do not expect the season to run longer due to the cold weather. On average the sea son in western New York ends on or about March 30th. As we approach and enter into spring (March 21), the sun rises higher in the sky which contrib utes to additional radiant heat as a result of extended and more di rect sunshine. More direct sunshine contrib utes not only to warmer ambient air temperatures but significantly contributes to an increase in sur face temperatures of the tree. Consequently, an increase in radiant heat promotes a physio logical change in the tree that triggers bud formation resulting in the formation of buddy sap which signifies the end of the tap ping season. Buddy sap has a very unpleasant odor and many producers that specialize in only high quality syrup will stop col lecting sap. Sap at the beginning of the season is water white, clear and transparent. It has a sweet taste and practically no odor. During the week of March 10, we expect that start of a winter thaw (temperatures above 32 F) for a three to four day period that will trigger the first run of sap for many sugar bush operations. Above average snowfall has contributed to saturation of most soils and for most areas the soil has not frozen to any significant depth. Consequently, we expect an initial heavy sap flow for most area producers. This year’s heavy snows will provide for logistical problems for many sugar bush operations. The snow pack (in some areas as much as 3 feet or more) will pro vide for difficult conditions for many producers so that they can get at their trees to tap as well as move sap to their sugarhouse to make syrup. Ideal conditions for tapping are freezing temperatures at night and just above freezing temperatures during the day (32-45). This creates a differ ential in the pressure of the tree to encourage sap flow. Typically, the tree will generate 12 psi to encourage sap flow. Currently we have excellent subsoil moisture which will help ensure an adequate supply of soil mois ture for sap production as well as a differential in pres sure as caused by the tem perature swings. To date, a few maple syrup producers that have tapped are reporting minimal sap flow, however, the sugar content of this sap has been excellent (2.8 percent). Higher sugar contents are likely due to the past summer's drought. During a drought, abundant sunshine en courages increased photosynthesis pro duction that may lead to increased sugar pro duction In addition, the colder weather may also be promoting less movement of water ith? the tree - within ic tree, conse quently contributing to a higher concentration of sugar within the sap flow. As a result, some producers are hoping that the first run of sap will produce a very highly desirable light and delicate flavored syrup. Maple syrup grades are light. medium, dark amber, grade B, pating sugarhouses will be open and commercial. to the public statewide from 10 SPECIAL EVENT: The New a.m.-4 p.m. For a list of partici- York State Maple Weekend, pating sugarhouses go to March 22-23, 2003. All partici- www.mapleweekend.com. Open House: Career Choices UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre sions at 10:15 a.m. Co.) Penn State’s College of To register for the open house Agricultural Sciences will host or for more information, visit the prospective students at its 10th World Wide Web at http:// annual Open House Saturday, www.cas.psu.edu or contact the March 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Office for Undergraduate Educa here at the Hetzel Union Build- tion at (814) 865-7521. ing. “Teenagers have lots of ques tions when it comes to careers and employment,” said Marianne Fivek, assistant to the dean for student recruitment and activi ties. “Our open house highlights opportunities in the agricultural sciences in an informal, relaxed setting where students can get personal attention. “About 60 faculty, staff, and students from the college will be there to answer questions about the agricultural sciences and about university life.” said Fivek. Attendees can learn about ca reers in agricultural and related fields and the college’s 18 under graduate majors, including ani mal science, food science, land scape design, agribusiness management, agricultural and bi ological engineering and environ mental resource management. The event will begin with an in formational fair at 8 a.m., fol lowed by a general session at 9 a.m. and academic advising ses- HEAVY DUTY, CUSTOM FIT BARN EQUIPMENT & Free Stalls Sand Traps Self-locks A Stainless Steel/Tip '< Gates Tank Waterers > Tie Stalls tV Bale Boss Hay Savers 814-276-3304 OR 1-888-605-2422 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 15, 2003-A39 Prize Winner EPHRATA (Lancaster Co.) Lancaster Farming recently se lected a two-year free subscrip tion winner from the New York Farm Show. Billy Davis 11, Granville Sum mit, is the winner of the subscrip tion. Congratulations! Closed March 21 SHIPPENVILLE (Clarion Co.) Penn State Cooperative Extension in Clarion County will be closed Friday, March 21 for building repairs. The office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 24. For more information, contact Penn State Cooperative Exten sion in Clarion County, PO Box 200, 405 Main Street, Shippen ville, PA 16254, (814) 782-0033, fax (814) 782-0034, e-mail Clario nExt@psu.edu. Joe Speicher 175 North Imler Valley Rd Imler, PA 16655 Clarion Office
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers