Agricultural Laboratory

The Kansas Department of Agriculture's laboratory program supports the department's other programs. Feed samples are analyzed for protein, minerals, antibiotics, and other drugs in support of the Agricultural Commodities Assurance Program. This is done to ensure label guarantees. Also, some feed samples are screened for prohibited materials in support of our Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy prevention effort.

Meat and poultry samples are analyzed in two areas. They are analyzed for protein, fat and moisture to ensure label guarantees are met. Raw ground samples are analyzed for salmonella and ready-to-eat samples are analyzed for Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes. Raw ground and carcass trim samples are also tested for the presence of E.coli O157:H7. Environmental swab samples taken at processing facilities are tested for Listeria monocytogenes.  All test results indicate the cleanliness of the plant from which samples are taken.

For the Dairy Inspection program, raw milk samples are tested for excessive bacteria, excessive somatic cells, antibiotics and excessive water. Any of these conditions will result in warnings to the milk producer. Finished dairy products are tested for bacteria, coliform, antibiotics and complete pasteurization.  Rinse and cooling tank water samples and empty product containers are also tested for bacteria.

In support of the Pesticide and Fertilizer program, fertilizer samples are analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, plus metals, if they are present. This is done to ensure label guarantees are met. Pesticide samples are tested in response to consumer complaints. The pesticides are extracted from various matrices such as soil, vegetation, water or even articles of clothing. Pesticide samples also are received from producers and analyzed to ensure label guarantees are met.