FAQs

1. The product that I want to test cannot be done by NIR. Which wet chemistry test package should I order?   Package D offers OARDC energy calculation for most alternative feedstuffs and commodities, feed and forages. Feeds that have a defined and relatively narrow range of AD-ICP and Lignin values allow book values of these nutrients to be used in energy calculations.  Therefore, use Package D to analyze these materials.

Some feed can only receive OARDC energy calculations with analysis from Package D1 because they are not uniform enough to utilize book values for AD-ICP or Lignin.  For complete information on which feed and package combinations are required for the most common use objectives, visit Choosing Analytical Package for Alternative Feedstuffs

2.  How do I take a sample on the farm? Sampling technique can be found for Feed & Forage, Molds & Mycotoxins, Nitrates, and Water can be found in the “Sampling Tips” pages under each service area. 

3.  How much sample is needed for testing? Most feed analyses require approximately 1 pint to 1 quart of material per sample.  Particle size analyses including: Corn Silage Processing Score, Forage Particle Size, Grain Particle Size, and Fermentrics, generally require 2 quarts of material per sample.

Dairyland provides water sampling kits with the appropriately sized containers.

4.  How long will tests take in the lab? NIR analyses are generally available the same day that samples arrive at the lab.  Many wet chemistry analyses, including Packages A-D and mineral analyses, take 2 or 3 days in the lab.  Most other wet chemistry analyses take 3-5 days.  When widespread outbreaks occur, nitrate analysis may be available same day while toxin analyses may be available in 2 days.

Water analyses take 1-2 days in the lab.

5.  Do I need an account before sending in samples?  Accounts are not required to submit samples, but they do make reporting and billing much easier.  To submit a sample without an account, please include payment with the sample submission.  This can be done with check or credit card information. Samples submitted without an account will not be analyzed until payment is received.

6.  Can I pay by credit card over the phone?  Yes. To pay by credit card over the phone please contact Dairyland’s corporate office (608-323-2123).

7.  What does the customer need to send a sample in? Feed sample submission requires the use of a Feed Card to submit a sample.  For customers that do not have an account, please include your name, address, phone number, and email address.  Dairyland also provides free postage-paid shipping by USPS and UPS for feed samples in the contiguous United States.  Shipping supplies can be obtained by contacting us here.

Water test kits are provided by Dairyland Laboratories.  Contact our corporate office (608-323-2123) or email us here to obtain a water test kit.

8.  How will I receive my test results? Dairyland provides feed and soil test results through the web, email, fax, or U.S. mail.  These options can be set up as defaults in each account by indicating your preference on the Feed Card.  Water test results are available by email, fax, or U.S. mail.

9.  What test should I run on my hay or haylage sample?  Dairyland is an industry leader in hay and haylage analysis by NIR.  The package required depends upon the objective of the analysis.  The following chart can be used to decide which package is most appropriate for your objective

10.  Is Dairyland Laboratories available on Saturdays to receive delivery via UPS/FedEx  UPS and FedEx packages are held at their respective distribution centers until Dairyland picks them up on Monday mornings.

11.  What are Dairyland’s operating hours?  All Dairyland Laboratory locations are open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  Drop boxes are available at each location for after hours sample drop off.

12.  What are driving directions to the lab?  Visit the “Contact Us” page to learn the address for our various locations.

13.  Does Dairyland test for vitamins, selenium, amino acids, or prussic acid?  Dairyland works with several other laboratories to provide analysis that are not routine in our geographic area.  Dairyland can provide analysis of several nutrients including vitamins, selenium, and amino acids through one of our partner laboratories.  Dairyland can also recommend another laboratory for extremely time sensitive analyses like prussic acid.

14.  Does Dairyland test water?   Yes.  Learn more here.