Monitoring & Lab Testing

OCAE Consultants Limited and affiliated laboratories offer a wide range and quality of laboratory services that are available to all clients. Their services use the most modern and reliable analytical methods best suited to Irish conditions. Affiliated laboratories operate to the highest scientific standards by highly qualified technicians and scientists. Through OCAE Monitoring Services, all clients have access to the complete range of services.

Soil Testing

OCAE provides essential information on soil health and baseline nutrient status. It forms the basis for efficient, cost effective use of fertilisers, lime and trace elements. Soil testing is now a key component in Nutrient Management Planning and is playing an important role in ensuring that the loss of nutrients from agriculture to surface water is minimised.

In addition to the standard soil analysis for pH, lime requirement, phosphorus and potassium, a range of specific analyses are available for trace elements, soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil texture (sand, silt and clay proportions). We provide soil tests for crop producers, for stud farmers and other specialised areas. All analysis is backed up by advice from an adviser who is familiar with local soil conditions. 

Water Testing

OCAE carries out water testing for a variety of purposes including general water quality monitoring, for individuals applying for private well filtration system grants. In conjunction with affiliated laboratories, we provide a full service, supply sample bottles, carry out all analysis and provide a report on your results. Water supplies for industrial, home or agribusiness purposes can be tested for hardness, chemical composition, and biological and faecal contamination.

Sludge & Leachate Testing

OCAE provides the service of testing Sludges for a range of analysis including N, P, K, Dry Matter (DM), Heavy metals, and Oils, Fats and Greases (OFG’s). We test a range of materials including Paunch, Belly Grass, Dried and Cake type sludges.

Crops and Herbage Testing

To investigate reasons for poor crop growth or animal performance difficulties it is essential to analyse the crops or the herbage being fed. Trace element deficiencies are common in crop production. When mineral disorder problems are experienced in livestock it is recommended that grass, silage or hay being fed is analysed for a range of elements such as copper, molybdenum, sulphur and selenium.

To promptly address on-farm issues, laboratories prioiritise grass and crop analysis.

Fodders and Organic Manures Testing

Detailed knowledge of the feeding value of silage, hay, meals or other feeds is essential for cost effective production. OCAE Consultants advisory service will arrange to have samples taken and analysed. Advisers and crop producers use analysis results to provide the optimum feeding programme for each class of stock. Tests to establish the dry matter, N, P & K content of slurry or other animal manures are available.

Hair and Animal Tissue Testing

Hair analysis is one of the best ways to obtain a comprehensive and accurate indication of mineral deficiency in an animal over a period of time. Because it is impacted upon by a number of factors such as hormones, environment and feed, the blood it is an effective indicator of the animal mineral profile at a specific time.

Blood and animal tissue such as liver may be analysed to determine mineral status of the animal at a particular time and is useful in determining toxicity.