Eighth-generation maple farmer undeterred by adverse weather

An eighth-generation maple farmer in the US state of Wisconsin has reported on the chaos of recent weather patterns and shared his personal experiences.

Scott Walter, who heads up a family operation in Richland County, says that temperature swings have led to tapping – the age-old process of collecting the sap from maple trees – taking place at more varied times of the year than it used to.

With between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons of syrup produced in 2026 alone, it’s still an above-average yield, Walter says, thanks to the farm’s clever navigation of what has become an unreliable weather cycle.

Speaking to Maddison County’s Q106 media platform, Walter explained:

“The thing that seems to be popping up more and more in just the last few years is really chaotic spring weather. It just seems to be too warm or too cold during long periods of the season.”

He went on to note that tapping has started earlier in the year in order to minimise maple sap wastage. Walter noted that tapping has even been going into late December, as the farm aims to ensure it’s able to capture every last drop of sap that comes off of the trees.

Tapping typically involves making holes in maple trees in late winter, before the sap is removed and the water content is removed. The result is a sweet and delicious organic maple syrup that is enjoyed around the world in a wide variety of breakfast and baked dishes.