Click on a tab below to find information about laboratories conducting various analyses required for agricultural nutrient management.
1/30/2024 Update
General Information
- ASSUME PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED WITH SAMPLES.
- Organic matter (OM) is an important soil property to track, but it is not offered in some basic packages. Producers are advised to request OM even if they choose a lab that charges an additional fee for the information.
- Soil texture analysis is not offered by many labs in their basic packages. If labs do offer the analysis for a separate fee, it is often very expensive. Soil texture of the dominant map unit in a field can be obtained from Web Soil Survey.
- Soil sampling depth should be 8 inches.
- There is no need to request recommendations from the soil test labs.
- Most labs have order forms and price lists on their website.
- A new soil characteristic called the Degree of Phosphorus Saturation or DPS will be required on fields where phosphorus-bearing nutrient sources are intended and soil test phosphorus is equal to, or greater than, 150 FIV. Some labs already provide DPS as part of their basic packages while others do not. Consult the right column of the table below for information on acquiring DPS or the necessary information for calculating it.
| Lab | Cost | Analyses | Comments | Degree P Saturation (DPS) or Al and Fe reported? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waypoint Analytical Virginia, Inc. 7621 Whitepine Road Richmond, VA 23237 Phone: 804-743-9401 www.waypointanalytical.com |
$10.00 (Mehlich-3) $1.50 for Al and $1.25 for Fe |
S1M Package OM, P, K, Ca, Mg, pH, buffer pH, CEC, % base saturation of cations Al & Fe - required for high P soils to determine DPS for UM-PMT |
Several micronutrient combinations are also available. Contact Waypoint for more information. | Al and Fe can be requested for an additional $4.00 per soil sample. NuMan Pro 4.2 (and later) can calculate DPS when soil test includes Mehlich-3 Fe & Al. |
| Waypoint Analytical Pennsylvania, Inc. 280 Newport Road Leola, PA 17540 Phone: 717-656-9326 www.waypointanalytical.com |
$10.00 (Mehlich-3) $6.00 for Al and $2.50 for Fe $1.00 |
S1M Package P, K, Ca, Mg, pH, buffer pH, CEC, % base saturation of cations Al & Fe - required for high P soils to determine DPS for UM-PMT OM |
Several micronutrient combinations are also available. Contact Waypoint for more information. | OM is not included in standard test package. If desired, OM must be requested for an additional $1.00/sample. NuMan Pro 4.2 (and later) can calculate DPS when soil test includes Mehlich-3 Fe & Al. |
| AgroLab, Inc. 101 Clukey Dr. Harrington, DE 19952 Phone: 302-566-6094 www.agrolab.us |
$19.80 | Complete Soil Fertility (CSF) (S3/S102): Soil pH (1:1), Buffer pH, % OM, P, K, Ca, Mg, Phosphorus Saturation Ratio, CEC/sum of the cations (meq/100g), Cation base saturations. SO4-S, Mn, Zn, B. Cu, Fe, Na, Al, Soluble Salts (mmho/cm), NO3-N. |
The Basic Soil Fertility (BSF) Analysis is no longer available for farmland/food plot/pastures. The Complete Soil Fertility (CSF) Analysis is run instead. | Yes. Phosphorus Saturation Ratio is the same as DPS and is part of their standard soil test. |
| Brookside Laboratories, Inc. 200 White Mountain Drive New Bremen, OH 45869 Phone: 419-977-2766 www.blinc.com |
Price determined by consultant | SOO1 pH, OM, Mehlich-3 P, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Fe, Al, CEC, percent base saturation of cations, S, Bray II P |
Brookside does not provide recs. Consultants develop the recs. Brookside prefers to receive samples from their consultants only. | Al and Fe are routinely reported for option SOO1. Always enter Mehlich-3 P in NuMan Pro. NuMan Pro 4.2 (and later) can calculate DPS from this information. |
| Pennsylvania Agricultural Analytical Services Lab Penn State University 111 Ag Analytical Svcs Lab University Park, PA 16802 Phone: 814-863-0841 http://aasl.psu.edu |
$10.00 $5.00 $7.00 for Al and $7.00 for Fe |
Standard Soil Test pH, Mehlich lime requirement, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, S OM Al & Fe - required for high P soils to determine DPS for UM-PMT |
See website for more analyses. | Al and Fe can be requested for an additional $7 per sample. NuMan Pro 4.2 (and later) can calculate DPS when soil test includes Mehlich-3 Fe & Al. |
| Spectrum Analytic, Inc. PO Box 639 1087 Jamison Road NW Washington Court House, OH 43160 Phone: 800-321-1562 www.spectrumanalytic.com |
$10.00 $3.00 for Fe Al is free if requested |
S1 pH, buffer pH, OM, P, K, Ca, Mg, CEC, percent base saturation of cations Al & Fe - required for high P soils to determine DPS for UM-PMT |
See website for more analyses, including additional micronutrients. | Aluminum will be reported for free if requested. Iron (Fe) can be tested in addition to S1 for an additional $3.00. NuMan Pro 4.2 (and later) can calculate DPS when soil test includes Mehlich-3 Fe & Al. |
| University of Delaware Soil Testing Program 152 Townsend Hall, 531 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19717-1303 Phone: 302-831-1392 https://www.udel.edu/canr/cooperative-extension/environmental-stewardship/soil-testing/ |
$14.00 | B1-Commercial Agriculture Soil pH, lime requirement, OM, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, S, B, Al, Phosphorus Saturation Ratio. |
Phosphorus saturation ratio is the same as DPS and is included in B1 Routine Analysis | |
| Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Inc. PO Box 382 257 Newton Highway Camilla, GA 31730-7216 Ph: 229-336-7216 www.watersag.com |
$8.00 (Mehlich-3) $9.00 (Mehlich-3) $1.00 $0.50 |
Basic Test 2 (B2) pH, buffer pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, CEC, % base saturation of cations Routine Test 1 (R1) Same as B2 PLUS ANY TWO: B, Zn, Mn, Fe, or Cu. OM (extra charge at GA location only) Al- Al and Fe are required for high P soils to determine DPS for UM-PMT |
MD samples can now be sent to Georgia, Kentucky or N. Carolina locations, as all now run Mehlich-3. Kentucky Address: 2101 Calhoun Rd Highway 81 Owensboro, KY 31730 North Carolina Address: 364 W. Park Drive Warsaw, NC 28398 |
Fe and Al must be requested for high P soils. Select R1 test (including Fe) and add Al for $0.50 extra. For the KY and GA locations, specify Mehlich 3 on the soil submission form. OM is not standard at the Georgia location. To include OM, check the appropriate box (or specify) on the soil submission form and it will be included for $1.00 extra. |
Comparison of Some Labs Testing Manure
1/30/2024 Update
General Information
- ASSUME PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED WITH SAMPLES.
- Prices may change without notice. Check with lab for current price.
- Submission forms and supplies are available from many labs. Consult lab’s website for this information
| Lab | Cost | Analyses | Organic C or C:N ratio |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waypoint Analytical Virginia, Inc. 7621 Whitepine Road Richmond, VA 23237 Phone: 804-743-9401 www.waypointanalytical.com |
$52.00 | M1 package N (total), ammonium-N, P2O5, K2O, % moisture A more extensive analyte list is also available for an additional charge. |
C:N ratio can be added to the M1 package for an additional $2.00 | |
| Waypoint Analytical Pennsylvania, Inc. 280 Newport Road Leola, PA 17540 Phone: 1-800-464-6019 www.waypointanalytical.com |
$46.00 | M1 package N (total), ammonium-N, P2O5, K2O, % moisture, % dry matter A more extensive analyte list is also available for an additional charge. |
C:N ratio can be added to the M1 package for an additional $35.00. | |
| AgroLab, Inc. 101 Clukey Dr. Harrington, DE 19952 Phone: 302-566-6094 www.agrolab.us |
$49.50 | Standard N (total), ammonium-N, organic N, nitrate-N, pH, P2O5, K2O, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Mn, Cu, B, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), % moisture, % dry matter |
Carbon and C:N ratio are available as part of the Complete Manure and Complete Compost packages (includes Standard Package): $82.50. | |
| Brookside Laboratories, Inc. 200 White Mountain Drive New Bremen, OH 45869 Phone: 419-977-2766 www.blinc.com |
Will be determined by a consultant | Complete Manure Analysis (Z002) N (total), ammonium-N, nitrate-N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, % moisture, organic matter A more extensive analyte list is also available for an additional charge. |
C:N ratio available; inquire with consultant. | Expresses results for P and K on both oxide and elemental basis. Be sure to use oxide (P2O5 and K2O) data in NuMan Pro. |
| Pennsylvania Agricultural Analytical Services Lab Penn State University 111 Ag Analytical Svcs Lab University Park, PA 16802 Phone: 814-863-0841 http://aasl.psu.edu |
$40.00 | Standard Manure Test 1 N (total), ammonium-N, P2O5, K2O, % solids A more extensive analyte list is available for an additional charge. |
Order “total carbon” to calculate C:N ratio for an additional $18. | % moisture = 100 - % solids Manure testing kits available upon request at no cost |
| Spectrum Analytic, Inc. PO Box 639 1087 Jamison Road NW Washington Court House, OH 43160 Phone: 800-321-1562 www.spectrumanalytic.com |
$45.00 | M3 Package N (total), organic N, ammonium-N, P2O5, K2O, % moisture, % solids A more extensive analyte list is also available for an additional charge. |
C:N ratio available for an additional $14. | |
| University of Delaware Soil Testing Program 152 Townsend Hall, 531 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19717-1303 Phone: 302-831-1392 https://www.udel.edu/canr/cooperative-extension/environmental-stewardship/soil-testing/ |
$45.00 (COMPOST ONLY) | CP-8 Basic Compost Evaluation N (total), ammonium-N, nitrate-N, P, K, Ca, Mg,Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na, Al, compost pH, 531 S. College Avenue compost EC, total C, C:N ratio, moisture content |
Included | Compost analysis only, not intended for manure. |
| Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Inc. PO Box 382 257 Newton Highway Camilla, GA 31730-7216 Ph: 229-336-7216 www.watersag.com |
$25.00 $35.00 |
Maryland Manure Test 1 N (total), ammonium-N, P2O5, K2O, % moisture Maryland Manure Test 2 N (total), ammonium-N, nitrate-N, P2O5, K2O, % moisture, S, b. Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ca, Mg, Na, Al. |
C:N ratio available for an additional $12. | Specify “Maryland Manure Test 1” on sample form Maryland test can be requested from Kentucky location also. Address: 2101 Calhoun Road, Owensboro, KY 42301 |
| Cumberland Valley Analytical Services 4999 Zane A. Miller Drive (for UPS or Fedex) PO Box 999 (for USPS) Waynesboro, PA 17268 Phone: 800-282-7522 http://www.foragelab.com/ |
$46.50 | Base Test Package 2 N (total), ammonium-N, P205, K2O, % solids A more extensive analyte list is also available for an additional charge. |
Carbon (C:N ratio) is available for an additional $20.25 (ask for it as part of the package). | % moisture = 100 - % solidDownload Comparison of Some Labs Testing Manure (PDF) |
Comparison of Labs Testing Growing Media (Soilless Media or Potting Media)
CLICK HERE FOR A DOWNLOADABLE PDF (4-20-22 Update)
General Information:
- A growing media test is recommended if the substrate is composed of at least 50% organic material (peat, bark, compost, etc.) by volume.
- ASSUME PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED WITH SAMPLES
- Most labs have ordering forms on their websites.
|
Lab |
Cost |
Analyses |
Comments |
|
University of Delaware Soil Testing Program 531 S. College Avenue 152 Townsend Hall Newark, DE 19716-2170 Phone: 302-831-1392 |
$40 |
GH1: Saturated Media Extract (SME) Analysis- pH, EC, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, B, S, Na and Al plus Nitrate and Ammonium-N |
Analysis request form can be found by accessing the home page, looking under ‘More Information’ and clicking ‘Soil Testing Program Forms.’ |
|
Pennsylvania Agricultural Analytical Services Lab Penn State University 111 Ag Analytical Svcs Lab University Park, PA 16802 Phone: 814-863-0841 |
$40 |
Soilless Media Kit: Saturated Media Extract (SME) Analysis- pH, nitrate- N, ammonium-N, soluble salts, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn |
1 quart sample size required. Order Soilless Media Kit from a PA Extension Office or submit media in a plastic, zipper-sealed bag with payment. |
|
Waypoint Analytical Virginia 7621 Whitepine Rd Richmond, VA 23237 Phone: 804.743.9401 |
$42 |
S8B: Saturated Media Extract (SME) Analysis- pH, Salinity, Nitrate and Ammoniacal-N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, Cl, Mo |
Also available at the CA, TN, and PA locations- contact for pricing. Fill a quart size bag for analysis. |
|
Waypoint Analytical Pennsylvania 280 Newport Road Leola, PA 17540 Phone: 717-656-9326 |
$40 |
Soilless Media: Saturated Media Extract (SME) Analysis – pH, salinity, nitrate and ammoniacal-N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, Cl, Mo |
Write in ‘soilless media test’ on soil test submission form |
|
Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Inc. 2101 Calhoun Road Owensboro, KY 42301 Phone: 270-685-4039 |
$35 |
Greenhouse Test: pH, conductivity, ammoniacal-N, nitrate-N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, B, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu |
Also available at the Georgia location. Address: 257 Newton RoadPO Box 382 Camilla, GA 31730 |
Comparison of Some Labs Testing Plant Tissue
CLICK HERE FOR A DOWNLOADABLE PDF (4-20-22 Update)
General Information
- ASSUME PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED WITH SAMPLES.
- Follow University of Maryland recommendations for sampling protocol. See NM-5 “Nutrient Management for Tree Fruits and Small Fruits”
- Web pages are updated frequently and addresses for the plant tissue information sheets may change. If this occurs, go to the lab’s home page and follow the links to the plant tissue information sheet.
|
Lab |
Cost |
Analyses |
Comments |
Sample Preparation |
Tissue Submission Form on Website? |
|
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Waypoint Analytical Virginia, Inc. (Previously A & L Eastern Agricultural Lab) 7621 Whitepine Road Richmond, VA 23237 www.waypointanalytical.com |
$28.00
$36.00 |
PT2 N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Al, Na
PT3 PT2 plus Molybdenum |
|
Air dry if very wet and place in paper bag – no plastic. |
Yes. Go to www.waypointanalytical.com
On the home page under Resources, click “Submittal Forms”
Select Waypoint Analytical Virginia as the location and click “Plant Tissue Information Sheet” |
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Waypoint Analytical Pennsylvania, Inc. 280 Newport Road Leola, PA 17540 Ph: 717-656-9326 or 1-800-464-6019 |
$28.00
$38.00 |
PT2 N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Al, Na
PT3 PT2 plus Molybdenum |
|
Wipe off excess moisture with paper towel, but do not dry samples completely. Place in paper bag. |
Yes. Go to www.waypointanalytical.com
On the home page under Resources, click “Submittal Forms”
Select Waypoint Analytical Pennsylvania as the location and click “Plant Tissue Information Sheet” |
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AgroLab, Inc. 101 Clukey Dr. Harrington, DE 19952 Ph: 302-566-6094 |
$30.00
$35.00 |
Standard % N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and ppm Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Na, Mo
Petiole Standard plus ppm NO3-N |
|
Air dry and place in a paper bag. |
Yes. Go to www.agrolab.us
On the home page click “Services”
Go to Plant Tissue Analysis and click “Learn More”, and finally click on “Plant Sample Form.” |
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Brookside Laboratories, Inc. 308 South Main Street New Knoxville, OH 45871 Ph: 419-753-2448 |
N/A |
T002 % N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al |
Brookside prefers to receive samples from their consultants only. |
Samples should be taken by a Brookside consultant. |
N/A |
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Pennsylvania Agricultural Analytical Services Lab Penn State University 111 Ag Analytical Svcs Lab University Park, PA 16802 Phone: 814-863-0841 |
$24.00 |
Standard N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Zn, S |
Fill out submission form completely (including crop) to get nutrient recommendations, which are valid for Maryland NMPs |
Air dry samples and place in paper bag – no plastic. |
Yes. Go to:
https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/plant-analysis/plant-tissue- total-analysis
Click on the desired form. |
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Spectrum Analytic, Inc. PO Box 639 1087 Jamison Road NW Washington Court House, OH 43160 Ph: 800-321-1562 |
$23.00 |
P2 N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Zn |
|
Air dry samples and place in a paper bag – no plastic. |
es. Go to www.spectrumanalytic.com Click on the desired form under “Services”. | |||
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Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Inc. PO Box 382 257 Newton Highway Camilla, GA 31730-0382 Ph: 229-336-7216 |
$17.00 |
Basic Test N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, B, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu
Individual analysis available. See price list. |
Tissue tests can be requested from Kentucky location also. Address: 2101 Calhoun Road Owensboro, KY 42301 |
Air dry and place in a paper bag – no plastic. |
Yes. Go to www.watersag.com
Click on "Submittal forms" and choose the desired location
Select "Soil-Plant-Nematode Samples" |
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