Agriculture Experiment Station Chemical Laboratories
The University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station Chemical Laboratories (ESCL), overseen by the Office of the Missouri State Chemist, is charged with both State regulatory functions and providing experimental and analytical support of extension and outreach efforts throughout Missouri, and beyond. Building on the impact that State Chemists have had on many agricultural industries, the ESCL, as an open-lab recharge center, makes available a broad spectrum of Official Methods of Analyses for nutritional determinations, agricultural products and more. By providing these analyses, the ESCL is ideally positioned to be active in the development of new/improved analytical methodologies.
Ag Lime Control Service
Ag Lime Control Service carries out the day-to-day administration of the Missouri Ag Liming Materials Law and Rules. With responsibility for the Ag Liming Materials Law since 1976, these activities are assigned to us by the Director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiments Station and include all the provisions included in the sections describing the Powers of the Director with the exception of making analyses. Available to farmers who use ag lime, this service can provide resources and people to contact for related questions.
Feed Mill
Established in 1960, the feed mill is responsible for the processing and production of beef, dairy, swine, sheep and poultry feed, assisting university researchers on their research projects with consistent nutrition in each bag. Depending on capacity, the feed mill can also produce feed for local community producers. The corn used in rations comes from Foundation Seed, Bradford Research Farm and local farmers.
Missouri Foundation Seed
Missouri Foundation Seed (MFS) is a self-supporting program based at South Farm, a 1,452 acre research farm just south of Columbia that is part of the Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center. MFS is also represented at the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center. Established in 1944, MFS has strived to serve as the connection between MU breeders and Missouri producers while maintaining genetically pure seed stock. MFS serves as the last step in the research process and the first in commercialization. Held to the standard of less than five off-types in 20,000 plants in each variety produced, MFS farms more than 1,100 acres in four counties across the state.
Plant Diagnostic Clinic
The Plant Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) assists county Extension Specialists, commercial businesses and private citizens with their pest problems. The PDC is capable of plant disease diagnosis (including turfgrass), identification of unknown plants and insects (including arachnids). Besides clinic staff, a diverse group of Plant Sciences faculty specializing in agronomy, entomology, horticulture, or plant pathology assist with identification of pests as needed. The clinic is open year round to receive samples.
SCN Diagnostics
This laboratory tests soil and plant samples qualitatively and quantitatively for the presence of plant parasitic nematodes. Recommendations are provided for management strategies to reduce the effect of nematodes on plant growth and yield.
Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory
The laboratory provides soil testing, unbiased research-based fertilizer and lime recommendations, plant, water, manure, compost, and greenhouse media analyses to farmers, homeowners, vegetable and fruit growers, golf course superintendents, lawn and landscape specialists, Agra Industry, and Government agencies.
Soil Health Assessment Center
The University of Missouri’s Soil Health Assessment Center (SHAC) is one of the nation’s premier soil health service labs. Established in 1985 as a Soil Characterization Lab, SHAC pivoted in the mid-2010s to embrace the growing demand for soil health information. The goal of the Soil Health Assessment Center is to provide a thorough and actionable soil health evaluation.
Variety Testing
Each year researchers test more than 600 corn and soybean varieties at 32 locations throughout Missouri. Selection of varieties that best fit a farmer’s production goals and challenges is an essential part of profitable grain crop production. Varity Testing provides the reliable, unbiased, up-to-date information that makes that selection possible.