Vermont maple syrup crop 2nd largest

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont had another sweet season, producing nearly 2 million gallons of maple syrup, the second-highest amount on record.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the number of taps in maple trees in Vermont grew this season by 12 percent for a total of 5.4 million.

The USDA said producers were encouraged to tap trees early this season because of the warmer temperatures. The 2017 season lasted 46 days on average, compared with 44 days last year.

Vermont is the country’s leading producer of maple syrup. The state also set a record for the value of the maple syrup crop the previous season, which was a record crop yield year. The USDA says the 2016 production totaled nearly $60 million, a 28 percent jump from 2015.