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Banks County
UGA Extension Office

Testing Services

Testing Services
Whether you are looking to increase your crop yield, grow healthier roses, test the quality of your drinking water, make sure your creek water isn't polluted, or making sure your cows are getting the best feed, we can help. Call or stop by our office to get more information.

Soil Testing
S1 Soil Test. A routine soil sample will test for pH, lime requirements, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. The fee is $8 ($6 sample fee + $2 Postage fee) per sample.
It will take approximately 7-10 working days to process.

Water Testing (Most Common)
    W1. A basic water sample will test for pH and hardness, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, aluminum, chromium, manganese, copper, cadmium, iron, zinc, sodium, nickel. magnesium, boron, molybdenum, and silica. To have your well water tested, you will need to take 8 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office. The fee is $22.00 ($20.00 + $2.00 postage) per sample and will take approximately 7-10 business days.

W2. An expanded water sample test includes a basic water test along with Anions (chloride, fluoride, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate, and sulfate), soluble salts, and alkalinity. To have your well water tested, you will need to take 16 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office. The fee is $62.00 ($60.00 + $2.00 postage) per sample and will take approximately 7-10 working days.

W33C. Dept. of Public Health: Private Well Chemical Test includes an expanded water test, total nitrate and nitrite, and lead and arsenic. To have your well tested you will need to take 32 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office. The fee is $124 ($122.00 + $2.00 postage) per sample and will take approximately 5-7 business days.

W33B. A Home Loan Closing water sample tests for Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Total Coliform/E.coli. These four are commonly required for home closings. Ask your lending agency for specific details. Normal turnaround time is 5 - 7 business days. This test will require you to go by the Extension office and pick up the specific testing bottles along with detailed instructions and the expedited shipping label, as this test is time sensitive. The fee for this test is $85.00 per sample.

W35. A Total Coliform/E.coli water sample tests for bacteria in your water. This test will require you to go by the Extension office and pick up the specific testing bottles along with detailed instructions and the expedited shipping label, as this test is time sensitive. The for this test is $38.00 ($36.00 + $2 postage) per sample. Normal turnaround is 5 - 7 business days.

W34C. The Fish Pond General Water Quality water sample test includes the basic water sample test along with alkalinity. To have your pond water tested, you will need to take 16 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office. The fee is $37.00 ($35.00 + $2.00 postage) per sample and will take approximately 7 - 10 working days.
Pond Water Hardness and Oxygen. This is a free test that can be done by the County ANR Agent at the Monroe County Extension Office. It will determine the hardness for lime requirement and dissolved oxygen levels.

All bottles and testing kits can be aquired at Banks County Extension Office.

Feed and Forage Analysis
F1 Hay and Silage (NIR + nitrate + minerals) - $40.00 + postage
F2 Hay and Silage (NIR = nitrate) - $20.00 + postage
F3 Hay and Silage (NIR) - $15.00 + postage
F7 All Other Feeds - $45.00 + postage
F14 Nitrate only - $13.00 + postage
F18 Moisture only - $12.00 + postage

Animal Waste Analysis
Poultry Litter Sample. This test is available for Georgia poultry producers. This test analyzes the litter for nutrient content including nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. The UGA lab requires samples to be submitted in double zip-lock bags. A $2.00 postage fee is the only charge for this test for poultry producers.

For buyers/handlers, there is a $52.00 lab fee plus $2.00 postage.