In an average year, STRAL receives approximately 25,000 samples and runs 75,000 analyses, generating nearly one million individual data points.

In an average year, STRAL receives approximately 25,000 samples and runs 75,000 analyses, generating nearly one million individual data points.

‘Regular series’ soil tests from the public account for a fifth of the samples STRAL processes. Here, Soil Lab Manager Cassie List is doing pH testing as part of a ‘regular series’ test.

‘Regular series’ soil tests from the public account for a fifth of the samples STRAL processes. Here, Soil Lab Manager Cassie List is doing pH testing as part of a ‘regular series’ test.

Texture and organic matter are analyzed as part of a ‘regular series’ soil test. The relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay are estimated by the feel of the soil in a moist condition and then classified into one of five categories: coarse, medium, fine, peat, or muck.

Texture and organic matter are analyzed as part of a ‘regular series’ soil test. The relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay are estimated by the feel of the soil in a moist condition and then classified into one of five categories: coarse, medium, fine, peat, or muck.

Members of the public can drop soil samples off directly at the lab or mail samples in. The turnaround time for a regular series test is 10-14 days.

Members of the public can drop soil samples off directly at the lab or mail samples in. The turnaround time for a regular series test is 10-14 days.

The Research Analytical Laboratory offers over 100 different tests on soil, water, feeds, foods, compost, plant or animal tissue, and many other types of materials. Here, STRAL Research Manager Keith Piotrowski prepares samples for the flow injection analyzer.

The Research Analytical Laboratory offers over 100 different tests on soil, water, feeds, foods, compost, plant or animal tissue, and many other types of materials. Here, STRAL Research Manager Keith Piotrowski prepares samples for the flow injection analyzer.

Angela Gunlogson is the Research Analytical Laboratory’s Plant Lab Manager. Here she is setting up samples from sugar beet leaves to run through the carbon/nitrogen analyzer. Angela calibrates, maintains, and runs the analyzer, and at the end, evaluates the data to make sure quality control indicators are all within expected ranges, making sure there is no indication of instrument or human error somewhere along the way.

Angela Gunlogson is the Research Analytical Laboratory’s Plant Lab Manager. Here she is setting up samples from sugar beet leaves to run through the carbon/nitrogen analyzer. Angela calibrates, maintains, and runs the analyzer, and at the end, evaluates the data to make sure quality control indicators are all within expected ranges, making sure there is no indication of instrument or human error somewhere along the way.

Quality is STRAL’s top priority. For every analysis run throughout the lab, technicians calibrate the instruments and check those calibrations against Certified Reference Materials and internal and external standards. As much as 20% of the lab’s testing efforts are dedicated to quality assurance and quality control.

Quality is STRAL’s top priority. For every analysis run throughout the lab, technicians calibrate the instruments and check those calibrations against Certified Reference Materials and internal and external standards. As much as 20% of the lab’s testing efforts are dedicated to quality assurance and quality control.