Maple syrup production in full swing for Merrifield Farm
GORHAM (WGME) -- Some maple syrup producers say they were off to a sweet start in February at the beginning of their season.
But the cold temperatures coming up can also be helpful.
Lyle Merrifield of Merrifield Farm says it's actually the warmer weather that helped kickstart the season.
They've made around eighty gallons of syrup so far.
Merrifield says the recent snowstorms did slow down production a bit but will be helpful in the long run.
“The snow can help prolong the sugaring season and keep good sap flows,” said Lyle Merrifield.
Lyle Merrifield says once temperatures climb above forty-five degrees, it can slow production.
“It’s good to get those temperatures at night to twenty, twenty-five degrees” said Lyle. “That makes a good hard freeze.”
Lyle Merrifield spends his day bottling syrup, alongside his daughter Lexi.
“I was born into it,” said Lexi Merrifield. “So, my dad tapped his first tree when he was in kindergarten so I mean I have been tapping trees my whole life.”
Tapping trees is what the Merrifield family has done for more than twenty years.
“We’ve boiled a few times so far and we’ve had some good runs,” said Lexi Merrifield. “Great run yesterday.”
Perfect conditions allow them to maximize their product ahead of Maine Maple Sunday.
Merrifield Farm is celebrating March 25th and 26th with an all-day pancake breakfast.
A crucial day for the industry.
“We fill the bottles, we put the caps on them, stickers, labels, the whole nine yards,” said Lexi.
As for the expected snow next week, Lyle Merrifield says bring it on.
“‘Long as it’s not too deep to have to trudge through,” said Lyle.
