Agricultural Testing & Analysis
Leicestershire and Staffordshire Scientific Services’ laboratories have the reputation of being one of the country's leading providers of agricultural analysis. We can advise on the EC directives set out in the Agricultural Act and the Feed and Fertiliser Regulations, further information on which is provided in the links at the bottom of the page
The Agriculture Act 1970 requires local authorities to make an appointment of an Agricultural Analyst and Leicestershire and Staffordshire Scientific Services has four Agricultural Analysts and deputies.
We can offer this expertise to local authorities, producers, members of the agricultural community, farms, farmers, manufacturers of agricultural products, manufacturers of pet foods, consumers, the home gardener and pet owners anxious about the quality of their animal feeds and fertilisers.
Animal Feeds
We can check Statutory Statements and analyse nutrition and vitamin content. Vitamins can decay during processing and storage. It is essential that animal feeds contain minimum declared levels even after storage.
Some feed components are beneficial to some animal species but will kill other species. We can identify whether a particular animal feed is harmful to the animal it will be fed to.
When animals eat material (hay, grass or silage) containing heavy metals, it stays in the animal's tissue (meat). If this is eaten by humans it can build up in the body and cause damage. It is therefore essential for both animal and human health that we check feed is safe.
Feed Production Testing
We work with food manufacturers, running tests on samples, to ensure that food production processes are operating effectively.
Medicinal additives such as antibiotics and coccidiostats are added to feeding stuffs to promote growth or to prevent or treat animal conditions. The levels present are checked to ensure that they are within permitted variation of the declared levels.
The laboratory routinely tests milk for general composition including fat content, and added water. Samples of milk taken at farms are tested for antibiotics
Fertilisers
Regulations made under the act control the composition, labelling, sampling and analysis of fertilisers. Typical analyses include the determination of: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium and trace elements.
Work With Trading Standards
Trading Standards submit samples to us and we can advise on sampling procedures and guide sampling programmes.
Testing Imported Goods
Imported feed and fertilisers are tested for compliance with UK/EU legislation.
Water Analysis
Private water supplies or bore hole water on farms or other buisinesses can be tested to ensure that they are safe for humans or the animals to drink or bathe in.
Our Credentials
Leicestershire and Staffordshire Scientific Services is an efficient and reliable scientific service offering testing and analysis, advice and support to customers in the public and private sector.
We have four Public Analysts, thirty-five well-qualified, experienced staff and two laboratories, based in Leicester and Stafford, accredited to UKAS Quality Standard ISO/IEC 17025 which are both Official Food Enforcement Laboratories
View UKAS accreditation schedule for Leicestershire for Staffordshire.
Getting In Touch
Staffordshire Scientific Services
14 Martin Street
Stafford ST16 2LG
T: 01785 277 825 F: 01785 277 812Email: county.analysts@staffordshire.gov.uk
Staffordshire County Council website
