Interviews and articles
Tips for setting up a new sugar bush
I had the opportunity to interview Michaël Cliche, a forestry engineer by training who has been a maple sugaring advisor at the Association des propriétaires de boisés de la Beauce since 2018. He humbly agreed to share his knowledge with us on a fascinating subject! Anne-Sophie Couture-Goulet (ASCG): What sorts of things do you need […]
Latest developments in the maple nectar project
At CDL, each of our posts is an opportunity to keep you updated on our innovative projects. It’s my personal duty to let you know about the Maple Nectar project—a project I truly believe will benefit the entire maple syrup industry in the near future. First, here’s a little refresher on what Maple Nectar is. […]
5 tips for perfect maple cream
At CDL, we offer a range of four maple cream machines. Here are our top 5 tips for making the perfect maple cream with this essential tool for anyone who processes maple syrup. 1. Prepare a cooling bath for the syrup before you start cooking it. Water needs to constantly run in the pan and […]
Choosing the best spout for you!
Have you ever found yourself in one of our CDL store, standing in front of the spout display wondering which model you should choose for your maple sugaring endeavours? Here a few tips! They also apply if you’re using buckets rather than tubing. As a reminder, spouts are the starting point of your harvesting system, […]
Portrait of a passionate maple syrup producer : Christine Côté
This series is dedicated to CDL’s celebration of inspiring women who live and breathe maple syrup production. In this article, we introduce you to Christine Côté of the Érablière Côté Sucré in Coin-du-Banc, in the Gaspé Peninsula. Christine Côté’s background is anything but ordinary. Like Obelix, she fell under the spell of agriculture as a […]
Maple Nectar : On the verge of large-scale commercialization!
Over the past few years, I’ve been keeping you updated on our project for a new sweetener that holds great promise for the maple syrup industry: maple nectar. Here are the latest developments from the collaboration between CDL and its partners. What is maple nectar? • It’s a new, 100% natural maple sweetener, with a […]
Owls help control unwanted rodents
Many maple syrup producers find themselves dealing with rodents, who are attracted by maple sap and can cause damage to tubing systems. But there’s a natural solution to this problem! Did you know that a single barred owl eats three mice, or nearly one squirrel, a day? By eating rodents, these owls can help reduce […]
Huge potential for CDL’s sap division in baltic and nordic country
CDL has been developing its European market for several years now by selling equipment designed to harvest sap from a range of trees. This market will continue to grow thanks to partners like Ervins Labanovskis, whom you’ll hear about today. In Latvia, birch sap is generally produced on a small scale, with families and individual […]
Detect off-flavours in your maple syrup with the COLORI Test
For Centre ACER, the beginning of 2023 marked the launch of the COLORI Test. This new tool lets maple syrup producers test for certain aspects of maple sap that can affect the quality of their maple syrup. The COLORI Test can tell you if the maple sap contains factors associated with natural off-flavours, such as […]
4.0 maple sugaring network : A project by and for business
In the fall of 2020, a number of businesses gathered with the support of Créneau Acéricole to receive the training they needed to develop their 4.0 strategic plans. This was the birth of 4.0 Maple Sugaring Network. The project helped 18 businesses receive the necessary support to create their strategic plans and, in so doing, […]
New : Nano CDL cellular surveillance system
CDL Intelligence now has a remote management solution for small and medium-sized producers! The Nano CDL cellular surveillance system lets you use your smartphone to start and stop your vacuum pump remotely, in manual mode or automatic mode depending on the temperature. It can read the pump in real time, detect if the tank is […]
To each maple producer their own spout!
Right from the start, CDL has invested in innovation to meet the expectations of an increasingly experienced, detail-oriented clientele. That’s why we regularly improve our range of spouts in response to specific requests from our clients. Two new versions of our spout have been added to the CDL collection: Maxflow PLUS and SMART 2.0. Maxflow […]
Tapping practices to maximize yields over the long-term
In addition to location and the timing, frequency and duration of weather conditions for sap flow, there are four main factors which influence the total yields achievable from individual trees: the level of vacuum at the taphole, the sanitation of the spout and dropline, tapping practices such as taphole depth and diameter, and tree characteristics […]
Need employees? Consider temporary foreign workers!
Are you having trouble hiring employees for your sugar bushes? Unfortunately, that’s hardly surprising. Statistics Canada estimates that by 2026, more than 1.4 million positions will need to be filled in Quebec businesses. The current labour shortage is having serious repercussions for all industries. For that reason, hiring temporary foreign workers is becoming a smart […]
Inauguration of the new CDL Technology Center
For some time now, CDL has dreamed of having a single location where it could test its prototypes, continuously improve its equipment, train its employees, and showcase new products for customers year round. This has become a reality thanks to the brand new CDL Technology Centre in Saint-Henri, in the RCM of Bellechasse, on the […]
A look back at the first year of the Master-E with our customers!
The 2023 maple sugaring season is the first on the market for our brand-new 100% electric and automated Master-E evaporator. At the time of writing, the first Master-E evaporators have not only been produced, delivered, and installed by our team, but have also been operated by their owners! This is a source of pride for […]
A 3/16” tubing system : A simple, economical, and efficient solution!
Personal interests and hobbies that bring people closer to nature continue to grow in popularity. Anyone who owns a few dozen maple trees can become an amateur maple syrup producer and develop a real passion for it. The same is true for anyone with a stand of birch. If you’re in a position to take […]
A burning passion for maple syrup
Maple syrup production may seem to straddle two worlds: on the one hand, tradition and the little log shack, and on the other, cutting-edge technology and large boiling centres. The two poles may appear at odds. Some believe the maple syrup industry is becoming so industrialized that it’s forgotten its roots. They fear that the […]
Four lines of reverse osmosis systems, infinite possibilities!
With maple sugaring, one of the keys to boosting profitability is to have a powerful reverse osmosis system (RO) that suits your needs and can effectively increase the Brix of your sap. This cuts down boiling time significantly, which saves you not only time, but also money since you use less fuel. At CDL, we […]
CDL’s new 20” press
CDL’s new 20’’ press has a simple, streamlined design that offers the same benefits as the rest of the CDLWESFAB press line. With its ease of operation and capacity, the press will no doubt appeal to maple syrup producers. Much lighter than its predecessor, it is easier to handle. Its efficiency can be attributed to […]
A dry screw pump that combines simplicity, cleanliness, and performance
If you were only looking for a quiet pump, you’ll be pleased to discover that our new dry screw pump delivers far more qualities than quietness. With its efficient and stable design, it meets regulatory hygiene requirements for food safety. The vacuum leads to self-lubrication, reducing the risk of low-vacuum damage and eliminating the need […]
It pays to be more efficient!
Aiming for efficient maple syrup production brings its fair deal of challenges! Because we share this quest with all maple syrup producers, our Research and Development Department is always looking to innovate. Our team is constantly challenging existing processes to develop highly energy-efficient equipment. In maple syrup production, the most energy-intensive step is evaporation. That’s […]
Bottle your maple syrup : Get it right!
Your maple syrup is precious. It deserves to be stored properly so it retains its healthful properties—if it doesn’t make it to the table right away, of course! Several packaging options are available to stave off syrup’s two worst enemies: light and oxygen. You need only follow a few basic rules to keep your high-quality […]
Automating your sugar bush, from forest to barrels
As in so many other fields, smart systems are part of the trends and solutions to many issues in maple syrup production because they help us make better decisions. When maple sap is flowing almost continuously during the short sugaring season, every minute counts in harvesting every last drop. For some, the four to six […]
The Master-E : A CDL evaporator is now available in its electric version!
This concern for innovation is constant in the various CDL teams. For more than three years, the CDL Research and Development team has devoted itself, among other things, to pushing the current limits of evaporation. The thinking and working parameters are of course a mixture of the constraints related to the quality end products, as […]
When collaboration and sharing come together
It was during the 2016 CDL open house event and the launch of my first volume at the Saint-Lazare CDL administrative centre that I discovered this unique and festive atmosphere gathering several Bellechasse families together with those from surrounding regions across Canada and the United States. This first activity also allowed me to realize the […]
Step by step towards the smart sugarbush
Today, no matter what our lifestyle, we are short on time! The CDL 4.0 vision, progressing towards 5.0, allows all maple syrup production enthusiasts to realize their passion while preserving the quality of life that has become so dear to us. At CDL, this is what we had in mind when we started developing CDL […]
CDL Intelligence
Not that long ago, we never could have imagined, even in our wildest dreams, that we’d have access to a wealth of data in real time and be able to control virtually all of our sugaring equipment remotely. However, thanks to CDL Intelligence, that dream has been coming true in more and more sugarbushes over […]
A local regional service, efficient and there when it counts!
Taking care of our customers and adjusting to their changing needs has been one of CDL’s values since the very beginning and has been passed down through the generations. In order to offer its products as well as excellent service to all its customers, CDL will strengthen its regional service in the coming months and […]
Taking your first steps with 100 taps
For a few years now, CDL has been encouraging hobbyists to experience the joys of maple sugaring by providing all the equipment beginners need. The information below will give you some insight into the kind of equipment you’ll be looking for as a new producer. To learn more, please check out our site or talk […]
Take Good Care of your Membranes and they’ll Serve you Well!
Mastering the essentials: washing, maintenance, and storage If you have any type of reverse osmosis system, you already know how much valuable time it saves you. That is, as long as you maintain the membranes in order to maximize their performance. This means completing three essential steps each season: washing your membranes at the beginning […]
A new opportunity for maple syrup producers: maple nectar
Vallier Chabot Co-owner of CDL, gives us an update on the maple nectar project. He answers questions from Annik Perron, editor for CDL’s Way. Annik Perron (AP)– Since 2016, your R&D team has been working on a process that allowed you to develop a new natural sweetener, maple nectar, that could benefit the industry and […]
The CDL Variable Speed Extractor
The variable speed extractor operates by pumping sap continuously, even if the sap flow from the trees varies. The pump’s capacity rises or falls according to the amount of sap flowing into the extractor. It can do this thanks to a series of probes that continuously monitors the sap levels. The probes are connected to […]
The Master Evaporator: Saving Green by Going Green
Today, producers who are looking for new equipment are generally seeking performance, profitability, simplicity, and time and energy savings. When a piece of equipment meets all these criterias, CDL recommends it without hesitation! The CDL Master Evaporator is the only one on the market to evaporate more than 5.1 imperial gallons (6 US gallons) per […]
Sugarbush Trends: Pre-lashed mainlines and SpinSeal technology – a winning CDL combination!
If there is one constant at CDL, it’s our goal to simplify your sugarbush operations and save you time and money. With our pre-lashed mainlines and SpinSeal technology, these goals are fully within reach. The combined use of these two technologies, exclusive to CDL, continues to grow among our customers, both small and large maple […]
Total yields from red maples
Red maples (plaines, Acer rubrum) are abundant throughout the maple-producing region of the U.S. and Canada, particularly in southern and midwestern areas. They’re able to adapt to diverse growing conditions and climates and can be found everywhere from moist soils and swamps to dry ridges and uplands. Their ability to adapt to and thrive in […]
Research on the effect of tubing colour on maple sap harvesting: the results
Collaboration between the Centre ACER and CDL Maple Sugaring Equipment In last spring’s issue of CDL’s Way, we discussed a research project on tubing colour, a collaboration between CDL and the Centre ACER. The project was still ongoing at the time, so the results weren’t known. Today, we can finally share the main results of […]
The Flavours of our Land
As an anthropologist—a specialist in the study of cultural diversity—I have observed various agricultural practices in countries such as Mongolia, Chile, and Switzerland. Since my grandfather was raised to be totally self-sufficient, from producing his own food to crafting his own tools and clothing (for which his family grew flax), I have always been fascinated […]
Hobbyists : Here’s the easiest way to make your own maple syrup !
We’ve collected a few simple ways to successfully make your own maple syrup using a few essential tools you can get at CDL. HOW DO YOU CHECK YOUR SYRUP’S PRECISE BOILING TEMPERATURE? First you need a syrup thermometer, like our candy thermometer (71750426 – see image A) or our dial thermometer (72920003 – see image […]
Hobbyists : Tips for Choosing your CDL Wood-fired Evaporator
At CDL, our experts are here to guide all types of maple syrup producers, from the smallest to the largest, from the beginner to the most experienced. To help new hobbyist maple syrup enthusiasts who want to produce maple syrup for fun, here are some details to get you started in your thinking about buying […]
CDL’S SAP DIVISION BLOOMS ON EUROPEAN SOIL
CDL has been diversifying for several years now by adapting its equipment to harvest sap for birches and other trees. This has led to great potential in Europe, where birch sap (also called “birch water”) has been a popular drink since the 12th century. The growth of CDL and its European sap division began with […]
A New Sweetener Coming Soon : Nectar !
Since 2016, our research and development team has been working on an innovative new project that will allow CDL to reach new markets and make even greater use of maple products. Many food processing companies are interested in a natural maple concentrate or sweetener that has a stable flavour, is highly nutritious and can be […]
RESEARCH ON THE EFFECT OF TUBING COLOUR ON MAPLE SAP HARVESTING
COLLABORATION BETWEEN CDL MAPLE SUGARING EQUIPMENT AND THE CENTRE ACER DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT Preliminary results from the Centre ACER and other research groups suggest that the colour of the materials used to collect maple sap could affect the volumes of sap collected and, consequently, sugar bush productivity. To date, studies have focused mainly on […]
LARGE-SCALE PROJECT FULLY EQUIPPED BY CDL: THE STORY OF BLACK BIRD IN ONTARIO
Picture a stunning valley in Ontario, where the Harmony River flows and 60,000 acres of forest stretch as far as the eye can see! Some 2,500 acres of that forest, in Harmony Bay, 40 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, was chosen as the birthplace of Black Bird Management Ltd.’s maple sugaring division. Since 1990, […]
CDL Intelligence : Making Our Custumers Everyday Lives Easier !
CDL Monitoring has been taken to another level recently. It’s become CDL Intelligence, because it’s now a complete sugar bush management system. Our vision was to create a system that supports you every day, like a second brain, helping you automate repetitive daily tasks so you no longer need to think about them. We also […]Back to the first season of our New Nano RO !
Just before the last season, CDL had introduced two new Reverse Osmosis Systems for the enthusiastic hobby maple producers. These small units are economical and simple to use. Highly efficient and consume very little electric power and are operated on 110 volts power or a small power generator. The technology allows energy and evaporation time […]
Stories of maple syrup maker families
The Chabots, master maple syrup producers for 140 years and 5 generations ! Their names are Pierre, Alphée, Adrien, the ancestors who passed on their passion and know-how to the co-founders of CDL, three brothers with complementary skills: Jean-Marie, Christian and Yvan Chabot. This fourth generation then gave way to the sons of Jean-Marie, Vallier, […]
April Lemay: an inspiring female maple producer!
At the beginning of last April, I had the chance to interview a very inspiring maple producer and a successful woman-owned business: April Lemay. Hope you enjoy this interview and learn more about her company, April’s Maple, her values, her professional background and her daily life. Happy reading!
Tapping tips by Mr. Jean-Marie Chabot
On October 27, 2020, I had the chance to interview a person with extensive experience in the maple syrup industry, Mr. Jean-Marie Chabot, co-founder of CDL Maple Sugaring Equipment. This seasoned entrepreneur shared his tapping tips with us so that both newbies and the more experienced of you, dear customers, can brush up on your […]
For a healthy tubing system
A healthy tubing system means maximum return on your investment! Here are a few tips to help you. Is it time to replace your tubing? First, you need to know the age of the tubing and fittings. If you are not sure, consider these key factors in your analysis. Have you seen vacuum loss through the years, […]
Tree water and CDL: a winning team!
Did you know that CDL has developed expertise over the past fifteen years in plant sap, and more specifically in birch sap? At CDL, we first developed a field of expertise in forest harvesting and plant syrup production, which subsequently enabled us to adapt our maple equipment already in place. More recently, our ultrafiltration process, […]
