UGA Cooperative Extension is a collaboration between UGA CAES and UGA FACS.

Translation Disclaimer

 close

Users agree that automated translations may not effectively convert the intended design, meaning, and/or context of the website, may not translate images or PDF content, and may not take into account regional language differences. Any person that uses the translated site does so at that person’s own risk. UGA Extension is not responsible for any damages, costs, liability, or risk associated with any use, functionality, and/or content of the website translations.

For more information, visit the Language Translation page.

Spalding County
UGA Extension Office

Testing Services

  • Soil Test (1 pint)


S1 Soil Test ($8.00 + $2.00 for postage = $10.00)

Instructions: Take a thin vertical slice or core of soil from a minimum of 10 random locations in the area to be tested. Combine, mix thoroughly together, bring 1 pint to the Extension Office. Remove any surface litter, such as turf thatch or mulch. For lawns, sample to a depth of 4 inches. For home gardens, home landscape plants, fruit trees, and wildlife plots, sample to a depth of 6 inches.  Areas where plants grow differently and/or the soil appears different should be sampled separately, the garden, general ornamental shrubs, and the home lawn. The soil must be dry to send to the lab.

  • Water Test (1 pint)

W1 Basic Water Test for Minerals = $21.00 + $4.00 for postage = $25.00

W2 Expanded Water Test = $61.00 + $4.00 for postage = $65.00

Instructions: A first draw water sample collected after a minimum of (6) hours, but not more than (12) hours, period during which time there was no water usage prior to the sampling. 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 wellhead as possible.

  • Bacterial Water Test / Home Loan Water Test
    • (you must pick up the kit in the office, collect samples only on Monday or Tuesday as it must ship the same day the sample is collected or the sample will be rejected from the lab)

W35 Bacteria Water Test (Coliform/ E.coli) $50

W33B Home Loan Closing Water Test (Lead + Nitrate + Nitrite + Coliform / E. coli) $100

  • 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 + $4 postage

F2 Hay and Silage (NIR + nitrate) = $20.00 + $4 postage

F3 Hay and Silage (NIR) = $15.00 + $4 postage

F7 All Other Feeds = $45.00 + $4 postage

F14 Nitrate only = $13.00 + $4 postage

F18 Moisture only = $12.00 + $4 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 2 lb of pellets are selected. Each lot should be limited to 200 tons or less.