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Free GAP water sample pick up

AgSource will be loading samples on Monday mornings

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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) technician Renee Russell uses a gas chromatograph to analyze the pesticide content of water samples collected at various points along a vegetated drainage ditch at the ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, MS on Sept. 19, 2003. The goal of this project is to determine how the ditches affect the fate and distribution of pesticides. (USDA photo by Peggy Greb via Flickr)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) technician Renee Russell uses a gas chromatograph to analyze the pesticide content of water samples collected at various points along a vegetated drainage ditch at the ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, MS on Sept. 19, 2003. The goal of this project is to determine how the ditches affect the fate and distribution of pesticides. (USDA photo by Peggy Greb via Flickr)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) technician Renee Russell uses a gas chromatograph to analyze the pesticide content of water samples collected at various points along a vegetated drainage ditch at the ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, MS on Sept. 19, 2003. The goal of this project is to determine how the ditches affect the fate and distribution of pesticides. (USDA photo by Peggy Greb via Flickr)

VERONA, Wis. – Following a successful 2016 pilot-program, AgSource Laboratories is pleased announce the start of the 2017 free GAP water sample pick-up route.  In cooperation with the UW Hancock Agricultural Research Station, AgSource will be loading samples on Monday mornings and taking them to the AgSource lab, located in Marshfield, Wis.

“We are grateful to the Hancock Research Station for allowing AgSource to use their office for our pick-up route again this summer,” notes Eric Helms, AgSource Laboratories VP of Laboratory Management. “And I’m happy to be able to once again offer this convenient option for growers to submit their GAP water samples.”

Cranberry, potato, fruit and vegetable growers collect ‘GAP’, which stands for Good Agricultural Practices, water samples from irrigation and postharvest water sources. Samples are taken from May to October. Growers will need to comply with the 2015 Final Rule on Produce Safety of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), passed in November 2015, which requires E. coli testing. Audit organizations also require total coliform testing in order to be GAP certified.

Starting in June, during business hours, 8 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday, sterile bottles can be picked up and dropped off at the UW Hancock Ag Research Station, N3909 County Rd V, Hancock, WI 54943. Because of the 30 hour maximum sample hold time, water samples should be taken no earlier than 6 AM on Mondays for pick-up the same day.  Supplies will be located on an AgSource table inside the Main Office door on the first floor landing.  

AgSource Laboratories will have pick-up on Mondays at 8:30 AM from May to October on the dates listed below. Call AgSource at 715-898-1402 with questions about the van route. Please do not contact Hancock Research Station. The building opens at 8:00 AM.

Hancock – Monday 8:30 AM pick-up time

  • May 1, 8, 15, 22     **No Pick-up May 29!**
  • June 5, 12, 19, 26
  • July 10, 17, 24, 31    **No Pick-up July 3!**
  • August 7, 14, 21, 28
  • September 11, 18, 25   **No Pick-up September 4!**
  • October 2, 9, 16

Cost of Water Analysis

To meet the new audit testing requirements, growers will need both total coliform and e coli tests with results that actually count the bacteria colonies.  The cost for both total coliform and e coli tests is $30.00 per sample.  Growers will be billed after samples are analyzed.

If you have any questions, please contact AgSource Laboratories 3700 Downwind Dr., Marshfield, WI 54449, marshfield@agsource.com, and 715-898-1402. Please do not contact the UW Agricultural Research Station in Hancock.

AgSource is a leader in agricultural, turf and environmental laboratory analysis and information management services, with facilities in Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon and Wisconsin. A division of Cooperative Resources International, AgSource Laboratories provides testing services to clients in the United States and across the globe. Learn more at www.AgSource.com.

— AgSource

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