Photos of the Day: Maple Syrup Goes High-Tech

Maple syrup production has come a long way, but even high-tech operations have had to rely on old-fashioned foot patrols to fix a common problem — leaks. But now sugar-makers are harnessing new wireless monitoring technology to keep the precious sap flowing.

Apr 3, 2014

Maple syrup production has come a long way from metal buckets hung on trees, but even high-tech operations have had to rely on old-fashioned foot patrols to fix a common problem — leaks. But now sugar-makers are harnessing new wireless monitoring technology to keep the precious sap flowing.

In this photo taken Friday March 21, 2014, maple syrup producer Donnie Richards poses with sap lines on a maple tree and his wireless radio unit box containing sensors that monitor pressure on sap lines in Milton, Vt. Richards has about 5,000 taps, with about 18 miles of tubing spread out over more than 100 acres and uses the wireless sensors to monitor the flow of sap that provides information immediately on a smart phone of tablet computer. (AP Photo/Holly Ramer)

Read: Maple Syrup Makers Tap Wireless Monitoring Technology

In this photo taken Friday March 21, 2014, maple syrup producer Donnie Richards poses with his smart phone that shows his sap lines in Milton, Vt. Richards has about 5,000 taps, with about 18 miles of tubing spread out over more than 100 acres and uses wireless sensors to monitor the flow of sap. (AP Photo/Holly Ramer)