MISSISSIPPI STATE – The more than 2,000 chicken growers in Mississippi can now save money on an annual test required to meet federal and state regulations and keep their samples in the state.

The Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory has lowered its fee for testing chicken litter to $35 to be more in line with fees charged by labs in neighboring states. Many of the state’s growers have been sending their samples to Louisiana and Arkansas.

“The price reduction makes the Mississippi State Chemical Lab much more competitive and affordable for the state’s poultry growers who need to have these tests run once a year, every year,” said Tom Tabler, MSU Extension poultry specialist. “Now they can keep their samples within the state for the same price or less.”

Lab reports will include total nitrogen, potash or potassium, moisture, phosphoric acid and pH levels. Tabler said these test results will both satisfy state and federal regulations and provide needed information for selling litter to brokers.

Growers should send a quart-sized sealable bag of litter to PO Box CR, Mississippi State, MS 39762 with a completed form found online at http://www.mscl.msstate.edu/pdf/submission_form.pdf. The usual turnaround time for test results is 30 days.

Payment must be included with the sample unless prior arrangements are made with the lab to use a credit card or purchase order.

For more information, contact the lab’s Quality Assurance Manager Gale Hagood at 662-325-2955 or State Chemist Ashli Brown at 662-325-3428.