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Rush, NY

I have not done any complete soil testing for 4 years because I end up frustrated with confusing results. An older gentleman who knows a lot about testing soil told me he always sends the same sample to 3 labs and averages the results and sometimes discards those that look way out of line. So, 4 years ago I sent the same sample to 2 well know Ag college labs. The results from one lab appeared completely out of line, so I sent them a 2nd sample (different ID) from the same mixture and the 2nd results looked nothing like the first. I have used the inexpensive do-it-yourself kits for pH, but you don't get a very accurate reading. Where can I send soil samples to get results you can trust?

3/1/2001 8:57:27 AM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

Thats a very good question! Does anyone out there have a listing of all the soil testing departments in the US? If not, if everyone can post the one they use, we can build a data base list. Below is the address of mine:
Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory
Colorado State University
Room A 319 NESB
Fort Collins, CO
80523-1120

3/1/2001 9:24:25 AM

Connecticut, USA

If everyone can reply to this message with an address as complete as Madman, we can do something about creating a page for this info.

3/1/2001 9:53:15 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Soil Testing Lab
West Experiment Station
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-8021
(413) 545-2311
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~soiltest/brochindex.html

Glenn Peters

3/1/2001 12:14:14 PM

Virginia

Soil testing if you live in the Mid Atlantic region:



A & L Eastern Agricultural Laboratories, Inc.

7621 Whitepine Road
Richmond, Virginia 23237-2296
(804) 743-9401 - FAX (804) 271-6446

Web Site: http:/www.al-labs-eastern.com

Tim

3/1/2001 2:57:00 PM

Choctaw, OK

Here is a place I found for the great Lakes region...i have not sent in any samples yet to these people, but i intend to. If you have any questions...Lois Parker is the Director of Laboratory Services, contact that person if you have questions at: [email protected]


A & L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Drive
Fort Wayne IN 46808
(219) 483-4759
(219) 483-5274 FAX



Web site: http://www.algreatlakes.com/main.asp


Casey

3/1/2001 4:28:36 PM

walton n.y.

len down state from you we sent our sample to stamford farmers co-op they then forward them to spectrum analytic inc john wilcox the assistant manager at the co-op says that they've had good results useing spectrum's results and being a member of the co-op saves a few bucks

3/1/2001 7:04:35 PM

This is the one I have sent my soil to for the past 3 yrs.
Easy to understand the comprehensive results. Also a graph and written recommedations come with it. If I don't understand or need clarification of the readings, they welcome my phone call and can speak directly with the agronomist. $28/per test
A&L Western Agricultural Labs
1311 Woodland Ave.
Suite #1
Modesto, CA 95351
(209) 529-4080
FAX (209) 529-4736
http://www.al-labs-west.com/
Gophergirl

3/1/2001 7:54:16 PM

southern MN

The Minnesota Dept. of Ag has a list of certified soil testing labs located in the upper Midwest. The list is from 1999 but all of the testing labs are still certified. A new list will be put out in a couple of weeks with some additional labs. All of the labs listed, are sent 20 samples a year and must report back results within a given tolerance acceptable to the MDA so a person does not have to wonder if the lab is good or not. The website were the list is: www.mda.state.mn.us/DOCS/AGRON/AGRONOMY/99SOILAB.HTM There are labs in MN, SD, IL, ND, OH, WI, NE, and IA.

One word of caution when picking a Lab not on a certified list for soil testing. SOME places are also in the business of selling fertilizer and the results and/or the fertilizer recommendations can reflect this.

Also when taking a sample make sure it is a representive sample of the area and mix the soil throughly before sending in the sample to make sure you do not have any "hotspots" in your sample because this can skew the results.

Wayne

3/2/2001 1:29:15 PM

Rush, NY

Wayne, I logged onto the address you included and got a list of 20 Labs, and printed a copy. Thanks!!!!!!!

3/2/2001 4:22:35 PM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/altsoillab.html
Here is an EXCELLENT link I found...

3/5/2001 12:00:11 PM