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Wilkes County
UGA Extension Office

Testing Services

Through the Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories (AESL), UGA Extension provides testing for:

  • Soil analysis
  • Plant tissue analysis
  • Water quality
  •  Animal waste/manure
  • Feeds and forages
  • Biosolids
  • Pesticides
  • Hazardous waste
  • Wastewater
  • Trace analysis

More information about testing services can be found on the AESL webpage.


Soil Testing

Soil testing helps determine the fertility of your soil in an area. This fertility information helps to determine what nutrients need to be added to the soil. We recommend testing soil at least two to three months prior to when yu plan to plant. Most Georgia soils have a low pH and are deficient in one or more essential plant nutrients including calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Yearly sampling is recommended to monitor soil fertility until medium or high fertility has been established

The S1 Soil Test is our most common test. This routine soil sample will test for pH, lime requirements, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and manganese. Each sample is $10 and can be paid at the Wilkes County Extension Office. Samples take approximately 7-10 days to process. For assistance taking a sample, please get in touch with the Wilkes County Extension Office at (706)-678-2332. Soil probes are available for loan.

 Learn more about our soil testing services here.

Need more resources?

 
Water Testing

Nearly 1.7 million Georgians rely on private wells as their primary water source. Although well water can appear clean, drinking may not always be safe. Contaminants such as nitrates and heavy metals can only be discovered through laboratory testing. Testing can look at four major types of contaminants: bacteria (such as fecal coliform or E. coli), minerals (iron, calcium, and copper), organic chemicals (pesticides or petroleum contaminants), and others (heavy metals and Radon). For homes with well water, we recommend the basic water test (W1), total coliform/ E. coli (W35), and nitrate test (W3) be done yearly. Additional testing can be done as needed.

 
Here are a few of our most popular water tests (price included shipping):

  •  W1 - $22
    • Basic water test: pH and Hardness, Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Aluminum (Al), Boron (B), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Silica (SiO2), Sodium (Na), Zinc (Zn)
  • W2 - $62
    • GA Expanded water test: Basic Water Test (W1) + Anions (W3) + Soluble Salts (W11) + Alkalinity (W18)
  •  W3 - $42
    • Anions by ion chromatography: Chloride (Cl), Fluoride (F), Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3-N), Phosphate (PO4), Sulfate (SO4)
  • W9-$50
    •  Lead 
  • W33B-$95
    •  Home Loan Closing: lead, nitrate, and total coliform/E. coli
  • W35 - $46
    • Total coliform/E. coli: Requires sample in a special bottle
  • W44- $40
    • Radon: please call ahead to order a sample kit


All bottles and testing kits can be acquired at the Wilkes County Extension Office. Learn more about our water testing services here.

 
To learn more about your test results, please contact your county Agent or click here to learn about protecting your well and wellhead to avoid contamination.

 
Forage and Feed Analysis

Forage composes the basis of our livestock nutritional plans. With a vast amount of forage species grown here in Georgia, it is essential to understand both the makeup and nutrient composition of your pasture, hay, or silage. The best way to determine this is to take a representative sample of your forage and have it tested in the laboratory. Forage sampling probes are available for loan at the Wilkes County Extension office.

• Forage Sampling Guidelines

Below are some of our most popular tests:

  • F1 - $43
    •  Hays and silage: (NIR + nitrate + minerals), Moisture, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Crude Fiber (estimated), Non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), Crude Protein, Lignin, Nitrate (NO3), Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), Relative Forage Quality (RFQ), 10 Minerals (see test F26)
  • F2 - $23
    • Hays and silage: F1 test, excluding mineral analysis
  • F7 - $50
    •  Other feeds (by wet chemistry): Moisture, Crude Fiber, Crude Protein, Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), 10 Minerals (see F26)
  • F26 - $30
    • Minerals: Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Sodium (Na)

More tests for feeds and forages can be found here (price does not include shipping).

Want to save some time at the office? Fill out and print the submission form before you deliver your sample.