Wisconsin trails only three states in production of maple syrup.

Vermont's maple-syrup production rose by 11 percent this year, maintaining its traditional position as the nation's largest producer of the sweet stuff.

The New England Agricultural Statistics Service says Vermont's 500,000 gallons of syrup easily topped No. 2 New York, which produced 322,000 gallons.

Maine dropped from second to third place, as its production declined 4 percent to 215,000 gallons.

Then comes Wisconsin, which was the fourth-leading state with 130,000 gallons. Ohio was fifth with 118,000 gallons.

U.S. syrup production for 2008 was 1.64 million gallons. That's an increase of 30 percent.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)