Lancrop Laboratories - The barbeque is lit! Win yourself a meat box!

Lancrop Laboratories

Lancrop Laboratories

Member
Grassland Exhibitor
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Lancrop Laboratories - Trusted suppliers of independent analysis for more than 40 years.

Lancrop Laboratories offer analysis services to the agricultural, horticultural, environmental and amenity sectors. We analyse a wide range of sample types including soil, plant tissue, petiole, fruit and fruitlets, grains, forage and feeds, composts, waters, manures, slurries, digestates, fertiliser, lime and environmental wastes.


Why choose Lancrop?

We perform over two million separate analyses every year on samples received from customers in the UK and from more than 50 countries. Our customers range from individual growers to independent agronomic consultants to multi-national companies, including research stations, academic bodies and government organizations.


Comprehensive, efficient and accurate

We provide an extensive suite of analytical tests with main sample types having a 2 to 3 day turnaround from the date of arrival at the laboratory. Lancrop Laboratories hold both BS-EN-ISO 9001:2008 and UKAS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 levels of accreditation and we regularly participate in internationally recognized proficiency-testing schemes to ensure all laboratory processes are accurate, consistent and repeatable.


Interpretation and Advice

Crop specific interpretation and fertiliser application recommendations are included in sample reports. Technical advice is also available from our support team who hold Basis qualifications in FACTS, Soil and Water and Quality of Soils.

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Links

Website - www.lancrop.com

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Lancrop Laboratories

Lancrop Laboratories

Member
Grassland Exhibitor
Lancrop Laboratories Broad Spectrum Soil Health Test

Soil is a farm’s most valuable asset, and tools like soil health analysis and mineral analysis can ensure that asset receives the input it requires. Healthy soil is the foundation for higher yields and quality on farm, and farmers need to make sure their soil is working for them. Our Broad Spectrum Test can help farmers to do just that.

To manage soil health, it is important to be able to measure it; the indicators of soil health fall into three ‘pillars’ - chemical, physical and biological and all can be assessed in a single soil sample.

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The test comprehensively covers all of these three pillars. Alongside standard pH testing, it comprises a full suite of macro, secondary and micronutrients required for plant growth and animal health, determination of nutrient holding capacity (C.E.C.), precise soil texture identification through laser diffraction (sand%, silt%, clay%), measurement of soil organic matter, carbon and nitrogen by accurate Dumas Combustion techniques, and an assessment of soil microbial populations by the innovative Solvita soil respiration method. Results are also benchmarked against the background Lancrop dataset to provide an over soil health score.

To see an overview of the test please click here

 
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Lancrop Laboratories

Lancrop Laboratories

Member
Grassland Exhibitor
Solvita Soil Respiration Test

Solvita soil respiration is a measure of the CO2 released from the soil under controlled conditions. This measurement can be used to determine aerobic microbial activity, the nutrient cycling capability of the soil and it’s potential to sustain plant growth.

The Solvita CO2 respiration test has been developed as a standardised laboratory test that provides an indication of soil biological activity. Measuring the biological activity of a soil provides an insight into whether soil management practices such as crop rotations, cover-cropping and reduced tillage are sustaining or improving overall soil health.

Why measure soil biology?

There are more organisms in a handful of healthy soil than there are people on the earth. If the soil is to be healthy, fertile and productive, then this population should be of adequate size, diversity and activity. Some of the bacteria and fungi help sustain plant growth as they break down organic matter and release plant available forms of key nutrients, particularly nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus. Soil organisms also improve the structure of the soil by increasing soil porosity, improving drainage and providing aeration channels, allowing plant roots greater access to water and nutrition. Measuring your soil’s biological activity provides valuable insight into whether your soil management practices are sustaining or improving overall soil health.

How is the test reported?

The respiration result heads the biological section of the Broad Spectrum Soil Health test and is a key component of the overall soil assessment score.

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Please find more details at: https://www.lancrop.com/downloads/Lancrop_Soil Respiration Test.pdf

Video guide at:

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Lancrop Laboratories

Lancrop Laboratories

Member
Grassland Exhibitor
In view of the lack of real pies, anyone that posts 'Pie please' in the thread will be entered into a draw to win an artisan pork pie from the Brays Cottage Pork Pies! All entries must be in by lunch time! (one o'clock!)
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Caution: This post might make you 'pie-eyed' but please don't forget to ask us any questions you have on soil health testing!
(Open to UK residents only)
 
Lancrop Laboratories

Lancrop Laboratories

Member
Grassland Exhibitor
Do you know your soil pH?

Impact of soil pH
Soil pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity of the soil, it has a direct effect on nutrient availability, microbial activity and overall plant health. A knowledge of soil pH is fundamental to soil and crop management.

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Managing soil pH
Agricultural crops, pastures, vegetables and fruit crops are grown in a wide range of soil pH. However, all species have a preferred pH range for optimum growth. Getting the pH wrong can have a significant effect on crop yield and quality, largely as a result of reduced nutrient availability.

Soils become acidic from natural processes, such as weathering and leaching, and the change can be accelerated by climate, plant species and agricultural practices, meaning soil pH should be monitored at regular intervals. Fertilizer application can also accelerate the development of acidity, particularly urea and elemental S fertilizers. Liming is the only way to neutralise the acidity. The lime requirement depends on soil texture, crop and soil pH. The speed and duration of the effect depends on other factors e.g. quality (%NV), particle size and mode of incorporation. There is little that can be practically done to reduce pH in alkaline soils but the timing and form of fertiliser applications can be adjusted to ensure an adequate supply of nutrients.

Soil pH and soil organisms
The ability of, and rate at which, micro-organisms break down organic matter and convert soil nutrients, including nitrogen, into plant available forms is directly influenced by soil pH. Bacterial populations and activity decline at low pH levels, whereas desirable fungal activity can drop off as pH levels rise and the common earthworm will not survive at all in very acidic soils less than pH 4.5.

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For more details please visit: https://www.lancrop.com/#/articles/UnderstandingsoilpH

And don't forget to enter our competition to win a delicious pie!!
 

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Fields to Fork Festival 2025 offers discounted tickets for the farming community.

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The Fields to Fork Festival celebrating country life, good food and backing British farming is due to take over Whitebottom Farm, Manchester, on 3rd & 4th May 2025!

Set against the idyllic backdrop of Whitebottom Farm, the festival will be an unforgettable weekend of live music, award-winning chefs, and gourmet food and drink, all while supporting UK’s farmers and food producers. As a way to show appreciation for everyone in the farming community, discounted tickets are on offer for those working in the agricultural sectors.

Alexander McLaren, Founder of Fields to Fork Festival says “British produce and rural culture has never needed the spotlight more than it does today. This festival is our way of celebrating everything that makes...
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