Lab Services

Important Closure Notice

Water testing services will be limited during the weeks of Monday, 22 December 2025 through to Friday, 2 January 2026.

  • Monday, 22 December 2025: Mineral and bacteria water samples will be accepted from 8:30am to 3:00pm
  • Tuesday, 23 December 2025: Mineral waters and clear bacteria water samples will be accepted from 8:30am to 10:00am
  • Wednesday, 24 December 2025: Closed at noon. Water samples not accepted.
  • Thursday, 25 December 2025: Closed
  • Friday, 26 December 2025: Closed
  • Monday, 29 December 2025: Mineral and bacteria water samples will be accepted from 8:30am to 3:00pm
  • Tuesday, 30 December 2025: Mineral waters and clear bacteria water samples will be accepted 8:30am to 1:00pm
  • Wednesday, 31 December 2025: Open 8:30am to 4:30pm. Water samples not accepted
  • Thursday, 1 January 2026: Closed
  • Friday, 2 January 2026: Open 8:30am to 4:30pm. Water samples not accepted

Laboratory services will resume normal testing operations on Monday, 5 January 2026.

The Department of Agriculture manages laboratories that analyze a range of animal, food and agricultural materials, including: individual animal and herd/flock health diagnoses; raw and processed milk and related dairy products; drinking, milk house and greenhouse water; soils; livestock feed; plant tissue; compost; and manure analyses. Our services are aimed primarily at agricultural producers and industry, but we are available to private companies, other government agencies, researchers and the public.

Our labs are located in two buildings. The Animal and Plant Lab is located at 176 College Road, while the Animal Health Lab is at 65 River Road. Dairy Lab functions are carried out in one of these two locations.

For more in-depth lab information including drop-off hours, fees and specifics on sampling:

Animal and Plant Lab

Responsible for testing: water, feed, soil, manure, compost, and fruit and vegetable crop tissues.

Animal Health Lab

Responsible for testing: livestock and other animals and post-mortem examinations.

Dairy Lab

Responsible for testing: dairy products and related materials.