Optimizing Small Sugarbushes With CDL’s Smart Solutions
For the past five years, our colleague Jonathan Côté, technical advisor, has passionately shared his knowledge in the pages of our magazine. His expertise and field insight have made his voice a welcome and anticipated presence. But for this 5th edition, we wanted to switch things up… and reverse the roles! So this time, it’s the marketing team taking the pen to talk about a topic close to our hearts: making technology accessible to all sugarbushes.
At CDL, we believe that every sugarbush, regardless of its size, deserves tailored solutions to improve yield without compromising identity or work methods. That’s why we developed the CDL Intelligence system: a real-time monitoring and management tool designed to make producers’ lives easier. More than just technology, it’s a true partner in maximizing harvest while minimizing losses and unnecessary travel.
Breaking the Myths: CDL Intelligence, an asset for sugarbushes of all sizes
Some believe that monitoring tools like CDL Intelligence are only for large-scale operations, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, this tool simplifies daily management, helps identify issues quickly, and optimizes harvest with no added effort.
That’s exactly what Jonathan Côté experienced. A CDL technical advisor, he also runs a cattle farm and operates the family’s 1,500-tap sugarbush with his parents. From the start, he chose to integrate CDL Intelligence into his setup to make management easier. Since all family members work off-site, it was the perfect solution for maximizing control and enabling remote action.
“You can imagine that with a 1,500-tap sugarbush, every investment must be well thought out and evaluated. When the CDL Monitoring system launched about 10 years ago (now CDL Intelligence), we seriously started considering it. After a few discussions, we decided to go for it, hoping it would give us a hand. From year one, it quickly became essential: it helped us boost yields and save time, especially in leak detection and repairs. In our case, the vacuum pump control and water backflow management are now fully automated and accessible remotely. And after 10 years of use, no breakdowns to report. For us, the return on investment came before the end of the second season. That said, each sugarbush is unique, and profitability can vary depending on the setup, needs, and production goals,” explains Jonathan.
A technology designed for maple producers
Adopting a smart solution doesn’t mean radically changing the way you work, it means optimizing what you already have, one step at a time. CDL Intelligence was designed to be a true ally for producers, adapting to the pace of each sugarbush.
Take, for example, vacuum pump startup. On one hand, a producer has to get dressed at dawn, head out, start up their truck or ATV, and travel to the pump stations to start the pumps manually, all before even having their coffee! On the other hand, a producer equipped with CDL Intelligence can start the pumps with a simple tap on their phone, whether still in bed, at work, or elsewhere. Even better, the system can handle start-up and shut-down automatically. In the evening, instead of going out to adjust the vacuum, they do it remotely, just before falling asleep, easy and efficient.
Thanks to strategically placed sensors throughout the sugarbush, the software tracks key parameters like tank levels and vacuum pressure. This smart monitoring helps avoid losses and unnecessary interventions while maximizing yield.
One of CDL Intelligence’s strongest features is its optimized leak management. Instead of wandering the sugarbush with no guarantee of success, the system pinpoints problem areas and helps prioritize interventions. The result: saved time, less effort, and better performance. Plus, freeze report analysis helps identify trouble spots (reverse slopes, undersized or blocked mainlines, etc.).
By simplifying daily operations, CDL Intelligence becomes an essential ally for producers, offering greater flexibility and helping them balance responsibilities without compromising sugarbush performance.
“With my full-time job at CDL and the farm to run, it was impossible to always be on-site. Today, I can monitor everything remotely and only step in when necessary. Honestly, it’s magic!” says Jonathan.
CDL: a trusted partner for all sugarbushes
Since every sugarbush is unique, we design solutions that easily integrate with existing setups without disrupting production methods. Gradual improvements make it possible to optimize harvest while respecting maple producers’ expertise.
“Just because a sugarbush is small doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve the best tools. CDL Intelligence helped us optimize our production while freeing up time for our other activities,” says Jonathan.
CDL Intelligence is much more than a monitoring system: it’s a revolution for both small and large sugarbushes, allowing them to maximize productivity without increasing workload.
