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Early start boosts maple syrup production

The USDA says 2017 maple syrup production increased slightly with producers starting taps earlier than normal.

National maple syrup production totaled almost 4.3 million gallons, up two percent from 2016. The number of taps increased by six percent and yield per tap declined four percent.

The season on average lasted 37 days, four more days than last year. Warmer than normal temperatures led to producers in Indiana, Ohio, New York  and Vermont tapping maple trees starting January 1^st.

USDA says the 2016 average price per gallon of maple syrup totaled $35, down $1.70 from the previous year.