It’s gonna be sticky and sweet!

May 30, 2023

Annual summer tour of maple syrup producers to gather in Perth, Ontario this July 19-23, 2023.

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image by diapicard from Pixabay

Large and small maple syrup producers and industry stakeholders are set to gather in Perth, Ontario, on July 19-23 for the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association’s (OMSPA) annual Summer Tour. OMSPA represents approximately 600 maple syrup producers from across the province.

The Summer Tour is an educational conference focused on supporting the maple syrup industry in Ontario and consists of two days of tours to a range of sugar camps in the area and one day of technical presentations at the Algonquin College campus in Perth.

The theme for this year’s event is “From Here Forward” and will feature topics relating to improving woodlots, production operations, marketing, and continuing education in a changing industry.

“We invite maple syrup producers of all sizes—from backyard to large sugarbushes—to attend and gain more knowledge about maple syrup production in Ontario while networking with other producers and industry leaders,” said Dave Branson, Chair of the event.

The Summer Tour is open to both OMSPA members and non-members, and the program includes banquet guest speaker Robert Hocking, who is a business and brand strategist specializing in consumer behaviour and innovation.

Conference sessions will include topics such as woodlot management, operations, forest stewardship, and ways to optimize yields and sustainability.

Exhibits from industry manufacturers will be on display throughout the conference.

Stops on the sugar camp tours will be spread across the region and will include Adam’s Maple, Wheelers Pancake House, Sugar Camp & Museum, Canis Valley Maple, Century Maple, McEwen Acres, Golden Moment Farm, Gunnnebrooke Farms, and Blair’s Maple.

This event is sponsored by a range of industry leaders, including CDL, Dominion & Grimm, Lapierre, Hartington Equipment, and Farm Credit Canada, among others.

Registration for the conference can be customized for the full three-day package or for individual days or activities. To register, visit www.omspasummertour.ca.

For more information, contact Dave Branson at dave@bransonmaples.ca.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.