Improving profits for maple producers through tubing sanitation

Improving profits for maple producers through tubing sanitation

Summary

A third (unfunded) year of data collection was planned for the 2016 season, but technical issues made this impossible; therefore results are based upon the successful 2014 and 2015 data collection seasons. 

Ancillary studies were performed during the 2016 season however, which confirmed and strengthened portions of the earlier results on the effects of tubing/spout cleaning and/or replacement on sap yield and net profits from sap collection.  In general, replacement strategies (spout replacement, use of Check-valve spouts or adapters, or dropline replacement) produced the highest net profits.  Cleaning produced an intermediate level of net profit.  Cleaning with spout replacement resulted in the lowest net profit.  None of the chemical sanitizers tested were clearly more advantageous than the others.  Efficacy of tubing cleaning was improved with longer contact time between the sanitizer and the material being cleaned, but the amount of sanitizer, the time required to complete cleaning, and the necessity to rinse after cleaning rendered most cleaning treatments non cost-effective.  Twenty-four presentations were conducted during 2016 to over 1,000 attendees.  A final report, interactive spreadsheet, and video presentation are in preparation for dissemination to the maple industry so producers may calculate the best approach in their individual operations.

Objectives/Performance Targets

On a total of 850,000 tapped trees, 450 maple producers adopt a more beneficial practice to combat sap yield losses from microbial contamination, resulting in an increase in annual net profits of $1 to $3 per tap.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1. Four thousand maple producers learn about the project through an announcement distributed to members of producer organizations and forums in the project area, and receive a link to an online survey. Completed May 2014.

2. Fifteen hundred of these producers complete the online survey about their current practices and knowledge, and their intention to participate in the education program. Completed May 2014.

3. Nine hundred of these producers participate in the project’s education program by attending a local presentation, webinar, or viewing the presentation online, where they learn about the project and its performance target, the net profits gained through cleaning and replacement sanitation strategies, how to best implement these strategies in their operations, and other best practices for maximizing sap yields in their operations. Accomplishment technically reached April 2015, however we are still conducting outreach efforts.

4. Six hundred seventy-five of these producers complete an online survey and communicate to the project team whether they intend to adopt a different sanitation practice; they also receive a data collection template, one-on-one assistance if needed, and a link to the online survey to be used after the production season for performance target verification.  The spreadsheet tools for predicting and estimating sanitation effects are being finalized and will be complete by April 2017.  At that point we will also finalize our online video instruction that will accompany the tool, make the report available to producers, and link to the online survey to assess producer impact.

5. Five hundred of these producers document their change in net profits following adoption of a more beneficial cleaning or replacement strategy by submitting completed verification information to the project team. Ongoing.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Over 2014 and 2015, we determined the effect of different sanitation strategies (replacement, cleaning, or cleaning plus replacement) on maple sap yield, cost of implementation, and net profit on a per tap basis. The results are quite clear that the highest net profits are typically gained through replacement strategies, that cleaning produces a somewhat lower net profit, and that a combined cleaning plus replacement strategy produces the least net profit.  When cleaning with sanitizers is used, longer contact times are necessary to increase efficacy of microbial kill.  In some cases when sap yields are low (gravity collection), some sanitation strategies can result in negative net profits.  However, because maple producers may have other reasons for adopting a particular approach, we will present all options investigated to allow individual  producers to make a more informed decision on how different sanitation strategies may affect their bottom line. 

Over 2,500 maple producers have attended presentations describing the interim results of this project since its inception.  Hundreds of maple producers have signed up to receive the analytical tools and report when they are finalized.  When the tool and instructional materials are released (anticipated April 2017) we will be able to document the specific number of producers, taps, and the resulting net profits resulting from changes in strategy adoption resulting from this project.  Work in 2017 will focus on finalizing and disseminating the report and analytical tool and documenting outcomes.

Collaborators: