Guides

Soil nutrients

AgVita, Devonport TAS

Collect your sample by following my guide, and watching the video from Longley Organic Farm.
Fill out the sample submission form that I have sent you.
1. Enter the date you took the samples, and your name in Sample Date and Sampled By.
2. Put each sample's name under Paddock/Block ID.
3. Enter your name under Grower.
4. Use the code ES22 under Analysis Required.
Post the sample, with sample submission form, via Express Post to AgVita's address (on the top right of the sample form). If you are posting from outside Tasmania, you also need to:
1. Double-bag each sample with zip-lock bags. Place samples in postal satchel/box.
2. Label postal satchel/box with:
  1. Name & address of sender (i.e. you)
  2. Clearly write “Imported under Import Requirement 37 – Sample for Laboratory Analysis”
  3. Describe contents (i.e. soil samples for analysis)
  4. Name & telephone number of contact at laboratory: Michael Ruffles, (03) 6420 9600.

Spectrum Analytic, USA

Collect your sample by following my guide, and watching the video from Longley Organic Farm.
Dry the samples by leaving out on a plate or pot base under shelter for several days.
Package and post the samples using the instructions here. You will need to download and print the PPQ label and soil permit. Be very careful to follow this exactly so that the package gets through quarantine!

Plant sap analysis

Collect your sample by following AgVita's guide. Check for crop-specific information here. Collect the samples directly into an esky, and then keep in the fridge until ready to post. Do not post at the end of the week - they need to arrive at the lab as fresh as possible.
Fill out the sample submission form that I have sent you.
1. Enter the date you took the samples, and your name in Sample Date and Sampled By.
2. Put each sample's name under Paddock/Block ID.
3. Enter your name under Grower.
4. Enter the Crop Type, Variety and Growth Stage, as per the crop stages and sampling document.
5. Use the code NU7 under Analysis Required.
Post the sample, with sample submission form, via Express Post to AgVita's address (on the top right of the sample form). If you are posting from outside Tasmania, you also need to:
1. Double-bag each sample with zip-lock bags. Wrap in several players of newspaper for insulation. Place samples in postal satchel/box.
2. Label postal satchel/box with:
  1. Name & address of sender (i.e. you)
  2. Clearly write “Imported under Import Requirement 37 – Sample for Laboratory Analysis”
  3. Describe contents (i.e. plant samples for analysis)
  4. Name & telephone number of contact at laboratory: Michael Ruffles, (03) 6420 9600.

Soil contaminants

Heavy metals only - VegeSafe

If you are only interested in heavy metal contamination, then use the free VegeSafe program at Macquarie Uni. Register, and then follow their emailed instructions on how to take the soil samples.

Heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs and more - EAL

Collect your sample by following my guide. Note that this is different from taking a sample for nutrient testing as you should take no more than 4 soil cores, and to a depth of only 10 cm.
Fill out the sample submission form that I have sent you.
1. Enter the Total number of samples.
2. Put each sample's name under Sample ID, along with the Sample Depth (10cm) and Sampling Date.
3. Enter your name under Sampler and Your Client.
4. Write "soil" under Sample Type.
5. Enter the lab code for your desired test under Price list code, and tick for each sample.
  - For heavy metals and organo-chlorine and organo-phosphate pesticides, use code SS-PACK-005.
  - To also test for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), use code SS-PACK-006.
  - Tests for other contaminants are available - refer to the price list here and discuss with me.
Post the sample, with sample submission form, via Express Post to EAL's address (on the top left of the sample form).