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| December 2000 | Newsletter |
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Providing analytical services
in the areas of
soil, plant, feed, water
and environmental samples. Soil, Plant & Water Laboratory (SPW) 2400 College Station Road Athens, Georgia 30602-9105 Phone: (706)542-5350 FAX: (706)369-5734 ********** Feed & Environmental Water Laboratory (FEW) 2300 College Station Road Athens, Georgia 30602-4356 Phone: (706)542-7690 FAX: (706)542-1474 ********** Pesticide & Hazardous Waste Laboratory (PHW) 2300 College Station Road Athens, Georgia 30602-4356 Phone: (706)542-9023 FAX: (706)542-1474 ********** Tri-Lab News Edited by: David E. Kissel Head, Agricultural & Environmental Services Laboratories |
New Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories Head It has been a few months now since I became head of the laboratories. The transition to these new responsibilities has been relatively easy, due in large part to the excellent and helpful staff at the laboratories. In the future, we will continue the popular tests that are in place and work to develop new tests that may be needed. We also must respond to the changing attitudes and emphasis by society. Today, new tests are often possible due to the availability of sophisticated and relatively inexpensive computer technology. Computers have allowed us to improve all aspects of our lives, and the work that we do at the laboratories is no exception. Analysis of all samples is faster and more accurate because of it and the test results can be transmitted electronically back to county offices much faster than ever before. Further, computer software allows us to more easily make recommendations of fertilizer and waste application rates for crop production and to consider management alternatives when making these recommendations. We are working to continually improve this capability. Recently, Rick Hitchcock has been working with Dr. Owen Plank to make improvements in UGfertex software, and these are nearly completed. The new version is simple to operate, recommends both commercial fertilizer and manures to meet crop needs for nutrients, and does a plant nutrient balance for N, P, and K. The balance insures that the correct rate of fertilizer is recommended to balance the nutrients contained in the manure to meet crop requirements. Rick has also nearly completed the Windows version of our data delivery system to counties. When both projects are finalized in the next two to three months, the software will be sent for installation on computers in county offices. Changing societal attitudes has led to greater emphasis on environmental issues. All of society, including agriculture, are affected by an increasing desire for clean water and air. Since rainwater runs over and through soils before reaching lakes and streams, excessive buildup of nutrients in soil can result in more nutrient movement to water sources used for drinking water and recreation. This fact is well recognized by the government regulatory agencies whose goals are to achieve a cleaner environment. In the future, better nutrient management for crop production will be encouraged through the use of comprehensive nutrient management plans. Our workload has increased this year due to the new emphasis on nutrient management plans, that are used to balance nutrients contained in animal wastes to the needs for crop production. We expect nutrient management planning to be even more prominent in the future.
Sample Numbers During fiscal year 1999-2000, we received almost 120,000 different samples among all the laboratories and most of these had multiple tests run on each. The largest category of samples is soils. Soil sample numbers for the routine fertility analyses were up about three percent at around 99,000. Water samples make up the second largest category of samples received followed closely by feed/forages, manures, and various environmental materials such as industrial and municipal sludge. There were also many miscellaneous samples including paint chips, alligator eggs, and many other surprising materials. The vast majority of these samples come to us through County Extension offices with the results being returned by computer. The excellent support and cooperation of County Extension faculty and staff allow our laboratories to be fully effective for the public.
Poultry Litter Testing Since April of this year, we have been offering free tests of poultry litter for analysis of its nitrogen and mineral contents. The purpose of the free testing, as you are aware is to provide the information needed for the development of comprehensive nutrient management plans at the farm level. Sample numbers have been rising steadily since the implementation of the free testing. Last year from July 1 through November 30 the lab analyzed 162 poultry litter samples. During the same period this year, 1300+ samples have been processed. A few important reminders should be given to clients and any county staff that are involved in poultry litter submissions:
The laboratory will continue to make adjustments in order to maintain an efficient and smooth operation. If you have questions or need additional information call the Soil, Plant & Water Lab at 706/542-5350.
On-site Forage Nitrate Testing Forage feeding decisions are frequently made and animals allowed access to hay, or hay fields are cut before nitrate results are returned from the laboratory. A field-test kit for rapid on-site measurement of nitrate in forages has been developed and is in the process of being evaluated. This innovative approach will aid in the identification of hays and forages that have dangerously high nitrate levels as well as help educate producers about management systems designed to avoid nitrate accumulation. To evaluate this method's precision, accuracy, and reliability, a trial study of this field-test has been designed and implemented into 16 county offices of the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Anytime this field kit is used, the same forage is sent to University of Georgia Feed & Environmental Water Lab for nitrate analysis. We are determining the number of cases where this method under predicts nitrate concentrations. Under predicting the nitrate is not acceptable because of the potential for animal mortality. We found that five percent of the laboratory-produced values were greater than 4500 ppm when the kit-produced values were less than 4500. In cases where the field-kit returned values between 4500 and 9000 ppm, 9.3 % of these values were greater than 9000 when measured in the laboratory. Discussions with agents that have used this field-kit have led to the conclusion that first-time users need experience preparing samples and operating the kit before they can accurately predict forage nitrate concentrations. Therefore, a training program is planned to educate kit users and provide experience. The expected outcome is that this new approach will allow forage managers to identify forages that are potentially high in nitrate before feeding or before the hay is harvested. This gives the opportunity to delay cutting until nitrate levels decline.
WHERE ARE MY RESULTS???? How many times have we all heard this question? Probably too many times to count. One factor that may affect the response to this question could involve proper sample submission by the local county extension office. Our sample load is beginning to steadily increase and by January we will be reaching our peak season. So, now is a good time to remind county staff about the most efficient way to submit samples for analysis. SOIL SAMPLES: Everyone on your staff should become familiar with the Agricultural & Environmental Services Laboratories Fee Schedule Notebook. Each county has at least two copies. Make sure that any office staff that sends in samples is aware of this resource. As our sample numbers increase it becomes extremely important that proper submission procedures are followed. There will be occasions when time will not permit us to make the proper corrections on submission forms. Therefore; improper submission could result in delayed results for your clients. Listed below are some "do's and don'ts" to guide you in helping the lab to process your samples efficiently.
GENERAL INFORMATION Keep in mind that the lab has only been funded to analyze soil samples for agronomic crops only. Payment should be submitted for all other crop codes. The key thing to remember is what the sample is for , not who the sample is for. This includes county governments, schools, office buildings, etc... . If we waive fees for one county situation we would be obligated to waive those same fees for all counties. We simply could not afford to do that at this time. We depend on you to help us follow the guidelines that have been mandated to us. You need only submit 1 copy of the soil submission form, the check submission form and 1 copy of the water submission form. When submitting a water sample in a mailing tube it isn=t necessary to send a check submission form. Just fold the check inside a copy of water submission form, wrap it around the water bottle then insert into the mailing tube. If you cannot find the specific information regarding sample submission and/or payment, call the lab and our staff will get you the correct info. REMINDER Please make sure that your mailing labels reflect the correct address for each of the following:
As always, we appreciate your cooperation in addressing these issues to assist the laboratories in providing you and your clients with the most efficient service possible.
Holiday Schedule for the Feed & Environmental Water Lab Due to the holiday season there will be some changes regarding the dates and times we can accept samples for bacteria and biochemical oxygen demand. Please note these changes and plan your sampling days accordingly. These changes are necessary because of the incubation periods and hold times required for these analyses. For Christmas and New Year's holidays we will be off from December 25th through January 1st. The last day we will accept samples for Total Coliform, E. coli, and Fecal Coliform is Thursday, 21 December 2000 by 12:00 noon, and the last day we will accept samples for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is Thursday, 14 December 2000 by 5:00 pm. Tuesday, 2 January 2001, following New Years Day, our operating schedule will resume as usual. If you have any questions, please call us at 706-542-7690. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season.
Contributors to this issue: Jeannie Dawson Program Coordinator Soil, Plant and Water Lab
Paul Vendrell
Laura Daniel
David E. Kissel
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