Where to Test Agricultural Commodities: A Lab Guide

Testing is one of the most effective management tools in your managerial toolkit. It is widely used by various individuals, from horse owners to community garden enthusiasts. This resource provides a list of labs in the Northeast and Midwest where you can send samples for analysis. Be sure to follow each lab's submission protocol to ensure you receive accurate results.

Soil

Soil tests provide valuable information about the nutrient levels in your soil. The results can come in various formats and may differ depending on the laboratory. To learn how to collect soil samples, visit the laboratory's website or check out our soil sampling video. For guidance on interpreting soil test results, refer to the article "Interpreting Your Soil Test" or consult your local agronomy educator.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Dairy One
730 Warren Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
Phone: 800-344-2697

Rock River Lab
121 W North St, Wooster, OH 44891
PO Box 1039
330-462-6041

Rosetree Consulting
20 Glenbrook Drive
Shillington, Pennsylvania 19607
United States
610-396-7101

Spectrum Analytic Inc
1087 Jamison Rd NW
Washington Court House, OH 43160
800-321-1562

Forage

Forage testing is essential for livestock owners when making informed feeding decisions. It helps assess the quality of forage, which is necessary for feeding animals, and for forage growers to understand the other factors at play beyond what's in the soil. To generate a representative sample, visit each lab's website for specific requirements, or check out our article on forage quality testing.

Cumberland Valley Analytical Services - All Livestock and Horse Option
4999 Zane A Miller Dr, Waynesboro, PA 17268
301-790-1980

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Dairy One
730 Warren Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
800-344-2697

Lancaster DHIA (Supported by Rock River Lab)
1592 Old Line Road, Manheim, PA 17545
888-202-3442

Rock River Lab
121 W North St, Wooster, OH 44891
PO Box 1039
330-462-6041

Spectrum Analytic Inc
1087 Jamison Rd NW, Washington Court House, OH 43160
800-321-1562

Equi-Analytical - Horse Option
730 Warren Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
877-819-4110

Manure

Manure sampling helps determine the nutrient content of manure applied to cropland. Consult the lab's website or refer to the article on manure sampling to collect an accurate sample.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

 Cumberland Valley Analytical Services
4999 Zane A Miller Dr, Waynesboro, PA 17268
301-790-1980

Rock River Lab
121 W North St, Wooster, OH 44891
PO Box 1039
330-462-6041

Spectrum Analytic Inc
1087 Jamison Rd NW
Washington Court House, OH 43160
800-321-1562 

Equi-Analytical - Horse Option
730 Warren Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
877-819-4110

Water

Water testing can be performed on various water sources, including ponds, livestock water, irrigation systems, and drinking water. You must check with the laboratory you plan to use to understand their specific protocols and procedures. If you're interested in Penn State testing kits, you can obtain them from your local county extension office.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc. (Livestock and Irrigation)
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Cumberland Valley Analytical Services (Livestock water)
4999 Zane A Miller Dr, Waynesboro, PA 17268
301-790-1980

Rock River Lab (Livestock Water)
121 W North St, Wooster, OH 44891
PO Box 1039
330-462-6041

 Spectrum Analytic Inc (Irrigation water)
1087 Jamison Rd NW
Washington Court House, OH 43160
800-321-1562 

Equi-Analytical - Horse Option
730 Warren Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
877-819-4110

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a current listing of accredited drinking water testing laboratories. 

Lime

Lime testing measures the neutralizing value of lime materials to adjust soil pH. Proper liming improves nutrient availability and soil health. Contact the lab for specific sampling and submission instructions. Lime byproducts may need to be submitted through other avenues. Contact your local extension educator to discuss your options.

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Spectrum Analytic Inc
1087 Jamison Rd NW, Washington Court House, OH 43160
800-321-1562

Diseases

Plant disease diagnostics can help determine the presence of pathogens in soil, plants, or compost. Accurate disease identification is essential for making effective management decisions. Contact the laboratory in advance to understand submission requirements and ensure that fresh, representative samples are submitted. Samples collected can be from Agronomic crops, Horticultural crops, and Turf.

Penn State Plant Disease Clinic
Plant Pathology Department
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2204

Insects

Insect identification and diagnostics are valuable for managing pests in crops, turf, and livestock environments. Accurate identification supports integrated pest management decisions and helps prevent unnecessary pesticide applications. Follow the sample submission guidelines to ensure specimens arrive in good condition.

Penn State Insect Identification Lab
Department of Entomology
The Pennsylvania State University
501 ASI Building, University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-2235
Email: entolab@psu.edu

Biosolids

Testing biosolids for nutrient content is essential when applying them as a fertilizer source. Most labs that offer manure testing also accept biosolid samples. Be sure to follow the lab's specific sampling protocols.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Cumberland Valley Analytical Services
4999 Zane A Miller Dr, Waynesboro, PA 17268
301-790-1980

Spectrum Analytic Inc
1087 Jamison Rd NW, Washington Court House, OH 43160
800-321-1562

Soil Sampling to Test for Herbicide Residue

Soil herbicide residue testing is a diagnostic service that measures the presence and concentration of residual herbicides in your soil. These tests help determine whether herbicide residues from previous applications may affect the growth of sensitive crops or cover crops. By identifying which chemicals remain active in the soil and at what levels, growers can make informed decisions on crop rotation, planting schedules, and herbicide management to avoid crop injury and optimize production. Samples are typically collected from multiple field areas to ensure an accurate representation.

Midwest Laboratories
13611 B Street Omaha, Nebraska 68144
contactus@midwestlabs.com
402-334-7770 

Waypoint Analytical

Pre-Sidedress Corn Nitrate Test (PSNT)

The PSNT is a soil test used to evaluate the nitrogen needs of corn shortly before side dressing. This test helps fine-tune nitrogen applications for maximum crop response and environmental protection. Take samples when corn is 6 to 12 inches tall and follow lab-specific instructions.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Spectrum Analytic Inc
1087 Jamison Rd NW, Washington Court House, OH 43160
800-321-1562

Sieve (soil particle size) test

Soil texture influences water retention, nutrient availability, and root penetration. A particle size analysis (sieve or hydrometer method) can classify soil texture and evaluate suitability for various uses. Contact the lab for proper submission methods.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

Compost Testing

Compost testing helps determine nutrient content, maturity, and potential contaminants. It ensures safe and practical application for soil amendment or horticultural use.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Dairy One
730 Warren Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
800-344-2697

Plant Tissue Testing

Plant tissue testing is a laboratory analysis measuring nutrient concentrations within plant leaves, stems, or petioles. It provides a direct snapshot of the plant's nutritional status during sampling. Unlike soil testing, which estimates what nutrients are available, tissue testing shows what the plant has taken up. Refer to our article on how to interpret a plant tissue test.

Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
720 Tower Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0841

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-483-4759

Rock River Lab
121 W North St, Wooster, OH 44891
PO Box 1039
330-462-6041

Animal Genetic Testing

Breeders should genetically test their animals to ensure they are free from specific genetic abnormalities. This ensures genetic knowledge about an animal before breeding.

Below are some companies that offer these services. However, if raising registered animals, it’s not uncommon that breed registry associations request that you work through them, and they send your samples off to these companies for analysis to allow for greater organization within the lab and to ensure that your data is included in the respective breeds` registry database.

GeneCheck
1175 58th Ave #100, Greeley, CO 80634
970-472-9951

Neogen – GeneSeek Operations
4131 N 48th St, Lincoln, NE 68504
402-435-0665

Premier Select Sires
1 Stony Mountain Road, Tunkhannock, PA 18657
800-227-6417

Flock54 (Sheep) – Subsidiary of Superior Farms
Sacramento, CA 95833
karissa.isaacs@superiorfarms.com

National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP)
PO Box 1258, Ames, IA 50014
515-708-8850
info@nsip.org

Matthew Kasanicky (CUP Lab Certified Ultrasound technician)
Ultrasound scanning in Pennsylvania and all surrounding states for carcass EBVs
724-882-0935
identicalgenetics@gmail.com

Health Testing

These companies offer services for livestock producers who want to test their animals for viral and bacterial diseases and post-mortem necropsies to evaluate the cause of death, toxicology, and mineral liver analyses of the animal.

Penn State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory
131 Pastureview Rd., University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0837

Precision Diagnostics
245 White Oak Rd. New Holland, PA 17557
717-354-2178

University of Minnesota Diagnostic Lab
~ The only company to offer the highly sensitive Elitest ELISA used in sheep and goats for SRLV
1333 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108-1098
612-625-8787 or 800-605-8787
vdl@umn.edu

Pregnancy Testing

These companies offer services to producers who want to check the conception rate of their herd or flock.

Precision Diagnostics
245 White Oak Rd. New Holland, PA 17557
717-354-2178

Millerstown Veterinary Associates
807 Sunbury Path, Millerstown, PA 17062
717-589-3111

Laurel Highlands Animal Health
Dr. Jake Ritenour
876 Stoystown Rd, Somerset, PA 15501
814-445-8971

Dairy One: Animal Diagnostic Laboratory
730 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
607-793-3889

On-farm Livestock Pregnancy tests: Available online at many farm vet supplies stores

• Pregnostx
• Alerty`s

The Final Word

Follow each lab's guidelines and protocols to receive the most accurate results on your agricultural commodities. Testing of commodities is most effective when paired with proper sampling and timely interpretation. For additional support, contact your local extension educator to help make your decision.