Lab Services

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Effective July 6, 2020, the Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Laboratory will be resuming all normal testing operations.

In order to follow Public Health orders to promote social distancing and minimize the number of people in our buildings, you are encouraged to courier your samples or drop off is available at Truro office only.

In addition, we will continue to follow social distancing protocols within the lab and testing will be scheduled accordingly. For this reason, sample turnaround times may be delayed.

Regular business hours and sample receiving requirements will apply.

Please contact the laboratory with any questions:
Email:
Phone: 902-893-6565

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.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE NOTICE

Laboratory Services will be closed for Good Friday, April 2nd, 2021 and Easter Monday, April 5th, 2021. During the period of Monday, March 29th to Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 water sample drop off times will be affected.

Please Note:

  • Monday March 29th, 2021: All water samples accepted until 3pm.
  • Tuesday March 30th, 2021: Bacteria water samples that have color must be received no later than 3 pm.
  • Wednesday March 31st, 2021: All remaining Bacteria water samples must be received no later than 1 pm.
  • Water samples will not be accepted on Thursday April 1st, 2021.

Laboratory Services will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you for your cooperation.