Tone Ag Consulting Ltd.

Someone’s called in a tearing hurry – their equipment is standing by in a field that wasn’t soil tested and they need soil test results before they can get going.  How quickly can they get a soil test result?

Hand Sampling – Slow but picturesque

Here at Tone Ag, we can usually take soil samples on the day that you call.  From there, it’s up to the laboratories to determine how quickly you can get the results.  Two factors that seem to be constant across all labs is the shipping time and the drying time.  If we get the sample taken and back to the office before 4 PM, we can usually get it to the lab the next day (unless the courier companies take longer than normal).    Once the sample is in the lab, they have to dry it overnight before they can do the analysis.  From this, you’re looking at a minimum of two nights before getting your results back – one night for shipping and one night for drying.

Here’s what the laboratories that can provide analyses for Manure Management Plans (as per LMMR 10.1(2) b) had to say about fastest turnaround times for Nitrogen and Olsen Phosphorus:

• Agvise Laboratories is located in North Dakota.  They pick up samples in Winkler on Tuesdays and Thursdays with more frequent pickups during peak soil sampling times.  They also have a pick up location in Portage.  They do not charge for faster soil sample processing.  Estimate about 3 business days.
• Cantest ships their samples to Burnaby, BC.  For a 50% surcharge they will accelerate the analysis.  Estimate about 3 business days.
• Enviro-Test Laboratories (now ALS Laboratory Group) ships their samples to Saskatchewan.  For a 100% surcharge, they can provide results the day after the samples arrive in the lab.  Estimate about 3 business days.
• Norwest Labs (now Bodycote Testing Group) ships their samples to Edmonton.  For a 100% surcharge, they can provide results the day after the samples arrive in the lab.  Estimate about 3 business days.
• A&L Laboratories had been on an earlier list, but I don’t see them on this one.  Check with MB Conservation before using their services for a Manure Management Plan. A&L ships their samples to Ontario.  Their best turnaround time is 3 days + shipping, so estimate 4 business days.

These estimates are based on phone conversations with the labs.  It may be that they can provide more rapid service on a case by case basis.  Tone Ag is not affiliated with any of these labs.   We’ve found that Agvise delivers consistently fast, high-quality service but any of these labs should be fine.

The bottom line is that it will take 3 business days or more from when we sample to when you receive your results. If you want results more quickly, your best bet is to chance the border crossing and hand-deliver your samples to Agvise (the other labs are much further away).  Have fun explaining to the border guards why you’re hauling a bag of dirt around!

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Update Fall 2010: The Farmer’s Edge Laboratory in Winnipeg can provide next day soil test results, so that is now an option.  If you phone early enough in the day, we can get your results back to you within 24 hours!