CVAS provides opportunity to ship samples to the U.S. from Canada in several ways. Samples may be shipped directly to our main laboratory; however this does require additional paperwork. As an alternative, samples can be shipped to one of our affiliates listed below. NIR analysis can be performed at one of these locations using equations standardized to our main NIR. If chemistry testing is requested, the satellite will forward samples to the main laboratory at no charge to the Canadian client.
The addresses of the affiliated labs are provided below. Please enclose proper paperwork for sample submission and mark clearly if the samples are to be forward to our main laboratory.
Fraser Analytical Address:
1356 Sumas Way,
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 8H2
Fraser hand carries samples across the border for overnight shipping to our main facility on a daily basis.
Honeyland Ag Services
3918 West Corner Drive,
Ailsa Craig, Ontario
N0M 1A0
Honeyland Ag ships samples across the border for overnight shipping to our main facility on a daily basis.
Canadian accounts should contact our foreign shipping specialist Sharon at sweaver@foragelab.com prior to shipping any material for testing. Sharon will provide you with detailed documents to successfully ship samples to our laboratory. Our Canadian customers should refer to our domestic pricing when sending samples.
CVAS is able to receive a variety of sample types for testing. In addition to feeds and forages, import permits are available for animal proteins (such as bloodmeal and fishmeal), fruits and vegetables (including various byproducts thereof), and manure. A permit is also available for milk fatty acid testing.
Additional Information for Preparation of Samples
There are two significant objectives in the preparation of feed and forage samples for international shipping. The first objective is to minimize weight in order to reduce shipping costs. The second objective is to stabilize the sample for the time that it will take for the laboratory to receive the sample. There are times when we may receive samples from international locations in two days, but it may take two weeks in some situations when the shipping company or U.S. Plant Inspection Station does not handle the shipment efficiently.
Depending on the analyses requested, the laboratory would like to receive a minimum of 50 grams of dry basis material (75 grams is preferred). If the material is wet silage at approximately 30% dry matter, we should receive 175 grams to 250 grams of wet material. The amount of material sent will be dependent on the homogeneity of the sample. With less homogeneity, more sample material may need to be sent. Ideally, to stabilize wet samples for shipment, they should be dried down if this is practical to accomplish. Samples should be dried down to 5 – 8% moisture at approximately 50 to 60 degrees centigrade in order to not incur heat damage. An alternative is to put wet samples in heavy plastic bags and then vacuum seal the bag. This approach can work well, however, at times the seal will break and samples may spoil to some degree.
If there is need to have a fermentation evaluation of a silage, it is important to not dry the sample as the analysis is run on the original wet sample.
If samples are dried down prior to shipment, and if the percent dry matter of the sample is calculated and noted on the submittal form, we will incorporate that information in the generation of the analyses report.
Please contact me with any questions you may have concerning the preparation and shipment of samples to our laboratory.
Regards,
Sharon Weaver
sweaver@foragelab.com
International Specialist