Soil Testing

Midwest Laboratories is beginning to see the number of soil samples increase dramatically with the warmer/drier conditions. More information can be found on their news site.

Melamine in Cookies

News out of the Twin Cities in Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is expanding its warning about cookies containing melamine. Wonderfarm brand cookies sold in Minnesota, "Royal Flavour Bisuits,", "Lovely Melody Biscuits". and "Daily Life Biscuits" have tested positive. The melamine crisis may be spreading more and more into the United States. Midwest Laboratories performs melamine testing in milk and other food products. Check out their melamaine testing site.

Soil Testing - Best Value

Soil Testing is the best value. As this article states fertilizer costs can be up to 25% of a crop return. Somewhere, costs have to be controlled. With a good thorough soil test, these values can be found and savings on P (Phosphorus) & K (Potassium) can occur. Midwest Laboratories offers a basic package and many people take advantage not only of their price, but their 3-day turnaround.

Source: Identifying the Source of a Soil Test - http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2008/11/05/features/farm/doc491120ffade48471789677.txt

S1A (Basic): Organic Matter, Available Phosphorus (P1 Weak Bray and P2 Strong Bray) Exchangeable Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium and Hydrogen, Soil pH, Buffer Index, Cation Exchange Capacity, Percent Base Saturation of Cation Elements
With Recommendations: $10.00
Without Recommendations: $8.80

Source: Midwest Laboratories Website http://www.midwestlabs.com

Melamine in Milk

Melamine is in the news again. Some samples of milk are making it to the United States. Tougher standards need to be in place. The issue is getting a lot of attention in China. Midwest Laboratories provides melamine testing to its clients. If you have questions regarding melamine and its analysis, contact a representative at their company, 402-334-7770.

soil testing

Soil Testing season is just around the corner with fields being harvested. Soil Testing is the best investment, dollar for dollar. Midwest Laboratories offers a great soil testing program. You have the opportunite to get free soil bags at their eStore. Also, by opening up an account, growers are entitled to purchase other supplies like boxes, shipping labels, soil bags, (free) and prboes. In addition, growers can save on soil mapping programs offered through Agri-Data. The Midwest Labs Sitealso has a Library Section for instructions in sampling and interpreting soil reports. Soil Testing turnaround is three to four days. Check out more information online at http://www.midwestlabs.com/

Heavy Metals in Food Testing

Heavy Metals like mercury, lead and cadmium are present in food and sometimes at unacceptable levels. Contaminants in food can be detected. One such laboratory that conducts this type of testing is Midwest Laboratories. If you have questions, contact Barry Blessing is the contact at Midwest Labs - 402-334-7770. This company also tests heavy metals in toys using the XRF Technology.

Shelf Life Testing

Over the past few months, I have heard about shelf life testing of sandwiches in vending machines, milk and carbonated beverages. Now some other items are beingshelf life tested like packaging and lead and nickel. Midwest Laboratories does provide this type of testing. Take a look at their website http://shelflifetesting.com/ . If you don't see your product listed, give Erin Smith a call. 402-334-7770.