Agriculture & Natural Resources

Clark MacAllister, County ANR Agent

clarkmac@uga.edu

ANR News, Resources & 4-H News, Events and Activities

ANR News

Wine Grape & Vineyard Blog

https://site.extension.uga.edu/viticulture

ANR Resources

Testing Services

UGA Extension offices provide testing services through The University of Georgia. There are many types of tests available such as water, soil, chicken litter, plant tissue, hazardous chemicals, just to name a few!

In order to assure that you receive the appropriate test for your situation, please contact the office at 706-864-2275 to learn test options, pricing, packaging, and office hours for bring in your test samples Monday-Wednesday before 3:00pm. The only form of payments are local checks or cash only. Results are usually available in 10-12 business days.

Samples must be packaged properly for the test being performed; test results can be impacted by improper packaging.

Water Testing

Water samples should be collected from the kitchen faucet or from the faucet used most often for drinking. Samples may be put into any water-tight container or disposable water bottles. Fill the bottle with the first-pull of water. This technique helps assure the analysis represents the quality of the water being consumed. Results are usually available in 10-12 business days.

To do this, take the sample between a 6-12 hour period during which time there was no water usage. The GAEPD recommends that either early morning or evenings upon returning home are the best sampling times to ensure that the necessary stagnant water conditions exist. A kitchen or bathroom cold water faucet is to be used for sampling. If the primary concern is the well pump, draw the water from as near the well head as possible. Place a container below the faucet and gently open the cold water tap. Completely fill the container for the W1, 1 pint of water and for the W2, 1 quart of water is needed.

Please bring the sample the same day collected to the Lumpkin County Extension Office for mailing to the lab in Athens with payment. The sample needs to be fresh in order to receive the most accurate test results. We accept water samples Monday – Wednesday by 3 p.m. Samples received after 3:00pm will not go out until the next business day. After 3:00pm on Wednesday the sample will not be accepted. We do not accept samples Thursday or Friday or the day before a holiday as there will be no one in the lab to process the sample. You will receive your results in approximately 10 to 12 days either in the mail or through email, whichever you prefer.

Water Samples (Basic) 1 pint of water needed: $25.00 each…..tests for the following: pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), boron (B), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), & hardness

• W1 Basic Water Test for Minerals = $25.00 (1 pint/ 16oz)
  
• W2 Expanded Water Test = $70.00  (required for water treatment design) W1-Basic, W3-Anions, W11-Soluble Salts, & W18-Alkalinity (Need 1 Quart/ 32 oz.)
  
• W9 Lead Test = $45.00 (Need 1 Quart/32oz.)
  
• W33 GA EPD Public Water Test = $140.00 (1 Gallon)

Soil Testing

Soil testing (Basic): $10.00 each… are often conducted on home lawns, gardens, and wildlife food plots. The tests provide information on the soil’s actual nutrient status and are used to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the desired results. Results are usually available in 10-12 business days.

For the most accurate results, you need to follow a specific procedure for collecting your soil sample. The steps, including how to dry the dirt, can be found in this Soil Testing brochure.

Plant Analysis

Instructions: Provide plenty of plant material. Provide lots of information, such as a description of the soil, nearby plants, and a history of the problem. Provide freshly collected specimens. Be sure the specimen represents the problem. Include enough plant material to show all stages of the disease from healthy to very sick.

Feed and Forage Analysis (1 gallon bag)

F1 Hay and Silage (NIR + nitrate + minerals) = $40.00 + $5 postage

F2 Hay and Silage (NIR + nitrate) = $20.00 + $5 postage

F3 Hay and Silage (NIR) = $15.00 + $5 postage

F7 All Other Feeds = $45.00 + $5 postage

F14 Nitrate only = $13.00 + $5 postage

F18 Moisture only = $12.00 + $5 postage

Instructions: Baled Hay - Probe in such a way as to adequately sample the various concentrations of stems and leaves. At least 20 cores (one core per bale) should be taken and combined to develop one sample per lot. Sample rectangular bales, regardless of size, using a probe centered in the end of a bale and drill horizontally into the bale. Stacked Hay - For loose hay use a probe at least 30 inches long with 3/4 inch or larger internal diameter and drill at an angle from the side of the stack to the probe's full depth in 20 random locations throughout the stack. In a mow, hold the probe vertically and drill at the spot where the hay is compressed by the weight of the operator. Discard any weather damaged surface layer that would not be included in the part being fed or sold. Cubes and Pellets - Hay cubes or pellets should be sampled by collecting several hay cubes or handfuls of pellets from 15 to 20 locations in each "lot" so that a minimum of 40 cubes or 2lb of pellets are selected. Each lot should be limited to 200 tons or less.

Trainings & Events

Upcoming Extension Programs around Georgia

Servsafe Certification Classes of Georgia

Office Hours:
8:00am-4:00pm, Monday - Friday

Water Samples Monday-Wednesday until 3:00pm