Early start to maple season could lead to a record year for northeastern Ont. sugarmaker

For northeastern Ontario sugarmaker Bill Hubbert, this year's maple syrup season has gotten off to a strong start.

"This is the first year that I've actually made maple syrup in February."

Hubbert, who manages Hubbert's Maple Products in Sundridge, Ont. said milder winter conditions have not affected syrup production this year. 

"When spring conditions came we thought we better scramble. So, we scrambled."

However, he added that so far this year, the trees continue to pump out more sap than usual.

"Our average now is about 1.5 litres per tap hole," Hubbert said, "and right now we're at 1.45, so we're well over an average crop and it doesn't show signs of stopping till middle of next week."

Hubbert said he's quite pleased with the quantity as well as the flavour of the syrup, stating that this year they made some of their "best syrup after that last cold snap".

He is optimistic that if the weather keeps hovering near freezing, this could be a record year for his operation.

Similar success stories are shared among other maple producers in the region.

"It was warm enough that we got the early start, unlike last year it was a bit too cold for some of the north folks around the Soo," he explained, "but this year with the warm weather coming early it's working well."

Maple Weekend in Ontario

To celebrate a fruitful maple season, Hubbert along with a handful of sugar bushes across Ontario are hosting open houses, allowing people to visit and see how the syrup gets made.

Some farms will feature small craft fairs, kid-friendly activities and syrup tasting.

The open houses are an initiative by the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers' Association. 

Some of the farms participating in the northeast region include Hogan's Homestead near Sault Ste. Marie, Maple Ridge farm in Gore Bay and Sucrerie Seguin Sugar bush in Monetville, Ont. 

Hubbert said it is an effort to encourage people to get out to the sugar bush and support local maple syrup in Ontario.

"Some of the producers that participate may not have a lot of visitors on a daily basis for the rest of the spring, but they do a concentrated effort on this weekend."

Hubbert added his farm has participated every year, but this will be an exceptionally celebratory weekend as his farm will mark 75 years since it began operating.  

To mark the milestone, Hubbert's Maple farm is hosting the first Amalguin Maple Festival on Saturday, April 6. 

The festivities will feature a pancake and sausage breakfast accompanied with taffy on snow, face painting, local vendors, kettle boiling demonstrations and tours of the sugar house. 

Looking ahead, Hubbert says he feels really good about the future of maple production in northern Ontario.  

"We are getting toward the north end of the range, so that bodes well for us," he said. 

"If climate change means a warming climate, we're not going to be out of maple trees any time soon."