Maple Season Q & A

[@richardanderson2742]

The Q&A while actually working is a much better format than the typical sitting on a bench answering questions.

[@MapleFarmer]

It’s pretty much impossible to heat Warren and Dad to sit down to answer questions because they are always working, so asking while they work is the only way! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@rickmanning8722]

Warren's skills are definitely an encyclopedia of trade school talents.

[@donaldmacmillan9790]

It's great that Warren is taking on a bigger role in the videos. Between Nikki and Warren you do an awesome job of explaining how the maple syrup business is done. I remember tapping trees and hanging buckets for a small time operation when I was a kid over 50 years ago. It is incredible how the large-scale operations are done now. Thanks for the tremendous content.

[@ronricherson1618]

The Q&A was perfect, that is the way it should always be done!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you! If you have any questions let us know!

[@MawPawForster]

Please continue the Q and As. I helped my grandparents make maple syrup when I was a kid. I’m 75 now!

[@vincentcotnoir1356]

Hope mother nature give us a good season to all of us ;)

[@dogcreek8547]

From what I'm seeing here maple syrup farming is a lot like a box of chocolates!

[@bobbolieu9013]

I find it interesting and slightly amusing when someone who doesn't know much or anything about a matter such as Maple Syrup Farming ask questions of someone who has done the activity for so long that not only the actions, yet also the jargon and dialect are second nature. For example when a seemingly benign question of how long is a season last. The answer for the one who is intimately familiar seems like writing on a page. Then the realization comes that the person asking the question isn't aware of those simple set of circumstances when combined together becomes this complex system, otherwise there wouldn't be a question in the first place. Then as the answer is explained the one who didn't know now begins to understand the multitude of simple things that they missed simply because they didn't know how they are all tied together. I find it interesting and amusing to see and hear, and imagine, those times of clarification, realization and understanding flowing on both sides of tge conversations.

[@keithpreston6968]

They don’t teach these kind of things in a university or college. No government subsidies. Your on your own. No waste, no BS. It’s like it was pre 1900. The strong survive.

[@bobbolieu9013]

@@keithpreston6968 I could see a couple of expressions on Warrens face that tell one side of it. When he first hears the question he gets this look, "Now why....", then he understands that the person asking the question truly doesn't know or understand. Then the mentor with years and years of practical hands on experience slows down and gently says... As he is explaining how the flow of sap, and the length of the sap season are tied directly to the temperature; slowly, like he was talking with a teenager from the city, he simply lays it all out and that teenager is seeing the pieces of the puzzle come together and he gets the simplicity involved in the complexity of the weather and timing.

[@mcdls5]

I really enjoyed watching this line maintenance video. I'm small scale in the pacific north west using 3/16 inch line and have never seen a large operation in person.

[@keithpreston6968]

that was That was one of the best Im getting my 12 two gallon buckets ready lol always enjoy the straight to the point information . Farmers don't have time for wasted words or drama Thanks!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching! That reminds me, I need to go pick up some buckets myself!

[@johnmollet2637]

Great video, I really likes having the questions answered while Warren was performing the job; much more informative. Here's to a good season!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you! I feel like it's the best way for Q&As, not to mention the only way I can have Warren or Dad answer questions because they are always working! lol. He was changing tires before hitting the woods and I was going to have him answer questions while he did that but he finished changing tires before I made it to out of the house for the day 😂

[@Kridder62]

Excellent video. Very interesting and educational.

[@MapleFarmer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Great video. Thank you Nikki.

[@MapleFarmer]

You are so welcome!

[@coffee8866]

Great video! 3 big storms seem to be head our direction. Be safe.

[@shorteelan]

Great Q and A! I always learn something new .I’m so excited to finally get some freezing temps at the end of this week.

[@rexmayn3171]

I tried Boxler syrup. I can never go back to that Log Cabin crap again. Worth every cent.

[@MapleFarmer]

We appreciate you!! Thank you!

[@garyschacht5032]

You and your family truly are a class act! Watching your videos you can easily tell you all care deeply about your business and pour your heart and soul into every aspect of it! Kudos to you all! And thanks for answering my questions!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you for the kind words and for tuning in!

[@tedquaker954]

I love this family.... fully support the "independent" business if possible.... P.S. Love the Amber syrup!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you so much! We appreciate you.

[@gordybishop2375]

You need to do a master class on that master ckass place maybe perhaps

[@kylemunro1341]

What type of Maples are mostly in your woods? Also is there any difference in production of different maple species? Really like the videos.

[@keithmcallister4917]

Nice informative video for those that don’t know just how pipe lines work! Great job on this hope you guys have a great maple season !

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@gonzokompadre]

Fascinating. Thank You!!!

[@MapleFarmer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dannyp8038]

Another great vlog, always interesting to see what viewers are asking. I have been watching for awhile and most of the questions have been previous be asked however, having the same same questions asked again just shows how many new subscribers the channel is reaching which is great to see 🎉

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching and for being a long time follower! We appreciate you!

[@turklayher4794]

Great video Nicki!!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you!

[@jackseamon7064]

I'm thinking the shanty looks more like a chalet. 👍

[@perryschultz2468]

Very good informational video! Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great maple harvest season!

[@MapleFarmer]

I hope so too! Thanks for watching

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Nikki, could you show us more details of the beautiful dairy operations and the huge herd of ladies?

[@MapleFarmer]

Yes, I will in future videos! If you have any specific questions let me know!

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Thank you Nikki.

[@josephcrosby4915]

Good job very informative

[@MapleFarmer]

Glad you liked it

[@hoggersouthawk]

Thank you; a very informative video.

[@MapleFarmer]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@johnc8112]

Great video keep up the awesome work you do with your family.

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@normanpaterson]

Interesting video, with all that knowledge, have you ever thought about writing a book on the subject?

[@MapleFarmer]

I want Warren to do an educational series but he doesn’t have the time!

[@bobbolieu9013]

Have any of you, especially Warren though, had your grip strength. Watching Warren work with his hands I cam imagine that his grip strength is very high.

[@MapleFarmer]

No we have not but he is very strong, I’ll have to google how you test grip strength because that would be fun to know!

[@drewwagner9584]

Thank you. Great information.

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@ryanallen4939]

Loved the q and a. Can you explain the gas" bubbles" in the lines.

[@MapleFarmer]

The air bubbles? Yes I’ll definitely explain them in a future video when the sap is running!

[@ryanallen4939]

Hopefully it doesn't snow too much, makes tapping easier but it's kinda a catch 22. Not enough snow on the ground might make the season short.

[@CardinalAcres]

Do you maintain a map of all that tubing somewhere? Pretty complex..

[@hockinghillshoneyfarm9273]

Give us more Thanks

[@MapleFarmer]

For sure!! Ask some questions and we will do another Q&A it’s such a fun way to do videos!

[@CorvetteBill364]

How interesting Nicki and Warren. Never thought about just how big a network of pipes it takes to make that delicious product of Maple Syrup . My question Nicki are all the sap from your property used to make your syrup or do you buy sap from other sources? I love how you two are taking care of business.

[@MapleFarmer]

All the sap is from our own trees!

[@johncaffrey5395]

Very interesting!!!

[@genefoxgreenmountaindroning]

Yes thank you

[@gregjohnston9287]

Another great video. Do you and Warren work on the dairy also?

[@MapleFarmer]

It’s been about 15 years since I worked there full time now I just help dad on occasion. Warren doesn’t work there but he does fix heavy machinery there from time to time!

[@TheSmagzilla]

Doing the quick connect drop lines this year? How many years have those taps been used.

[@tedheierman1181]

You guys must have stock in a hose clamp company.

[@MapleFarmer]

We should get some 😂

[@fournierro1]

I use to tap 1,200 trees every year.

[@keithpreston6968]

excellent

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@greggjohnson435]

Why not use stainless fittings? If those T’s blew apart during season, your lose in production would pay for those T’s multiple times over.

[@m.webber5118]

At home here in Iowa, the deer would make a mess of the lines in the woods. How do you maintain them, year around?

[@MapleFarmer]

The deer don’t bother them much, once in awhile they chew them but that’s not often

[@tomlee7651]

I apologize if this has been answered before. Why wait until winter or after a now fall to put up new lines? Can't this be done in the summer?

[@MapleFarmer]

It could be but we have a large dairy farm and summer is a very busy time with planting and harvesting of crops. Plus the brush in some areas of the woods gets really thick. So late fall / winter is the best time for us as it’s a “slower” season on the dairy…. Although there’s never really a “slow” season on the dairy 😂

[@frritter8253]

Did Boxler ever use drip bucket gathering? That seemed so nostalgic. This is surely easier and needs less labor - does it yield more?

[@MapleFarmer]

My great grandfather did! That’s what my dad grew up with when he was young!

[@keithpreston6968]

A hundred thousand gallons more

[@frritter8253]

Thank you.@@MapleFarmer

[@plc5846]

Do you have to run any cleaners through the lines in the off season to prevent bacteria from growing in the lines since you keep the lines up all year long?

[@johnbucklerfarms]

Are those Stainless steel Pigtails your Holding the 1” lines ?

[@MapleFarmer]

Yes we use stainless wire ties!

[@fournierro1]

I use to tap 2700 trees.

[@curtisanderson1830]

there are different maples. which is the best if any

[@paulprigge1209]

Have you ever keep track your mileage walking for the year.? Also how are your joints in your hands and knees holding up? Thanks for the video

[@MapleFarmer]

I've kept step counts here and there but have never totaled them up for the season!

[@gordybishop2375]

Good sappy syrup...mmmm

[@erniekinney1588]

Have you had problems with lightning strikes on your main line

[@MapleFarmer]

Nope! We do have lightening strike trees tho on occasion!

[@andrewstevens2364]

When do the trees dry out for the year. No more sap ?

[@MapleFarmer]

We touched on that at 15:24 if you have a more specific question about it let us know!

[@mikemuniak4711]

How many cows is the farm milking

[@MapleFarmer]

~2400

[@bwillan]

Why do you use rebar wire ties vs standard zip ties?

[@gavinperry7237]

What maximum degree of incline will the suction line pull the syrup up hill ?

[@MapleFarmer]

It only flows downhill. All of our tubing is on a slope.

[@rickbyo8643]

Good stuff ! What’s the chance of getting a drone shot of the acreage involved ? How many acres are involved ?

[@MapleFarmer]

I want to buy a drone just haven’t gotten around to it yet as they can be pretty pricey! (I bought a cheap one last year and it sucked) 😂

[@johndhead1]

​​@@MapleFarmerI purchased a good quality but affordable drone just before Christmas. I've used it twice to photo my property and a friend's in Dansville. Only minor thing is it is not waterproof. I'd be happy to show you how it works someday or send you a few photos of the shots I have taken so far if you are curious? It's a DJI mini2se.

[@kraigrichard7043]

Shorten boiling time from osmosis and cleaner pans from bubbler system has changed the flavor and not for the better. In the near future this will become a decision sugar makers will have to make a decision..... Beautiful clear grade A syrup....or syrup that taste good

[@MapleFarmer]

I do not agree with with statement. However I do agree that the darker grades taste the best as I love a distinct maple flavor!

[@lloydmiller5690]

Don’t you have animals damage your lines

[@MapleFarmer]

Mainly squirrels, the deer will chew on them occasionally but not too much!