Agriculture

Feeding Stuffs and Fertilisers

Introduction

The Agriculture Act 1970 requires local authorities to make an appointment of an Agricultural Analyst. Staffordshire Scientific Services has developed a particular expertise in the field of agricultural analysis and has the reputation of being one of the country's leading agricultural analysis laboratories.

Feeding Stuffs (including Pet Foods)

Regulations made under the Act control the composition, labelling, additives and contaminants of feeding stuffs and also the methods of sampling and analysis. In addition to the basic requirements of protein, oil and fibre, starch, sugars, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, the analysis includes a microscopical examination for the identification of the ingredients of the feed, and the presence of infestation and harmful substances. Tests are regularly carried out for the presence of mammalian meat which has been banned in feeding stuffs for cattle since the BSE outbreaks in this country and the rest of Europe.

Feeding stuffs are examined for undesirable substances including metals (arsenic, lead and cadmium), pesticides, aflatoxin, nitrites and toxic plant materials.

Medicinal additives such as antibiotics and coccidiostats are added to feeding stuffs mainly for growth promotion but sometimes for prevention and curative treatments of animal conditions. The levels present are checked to ensure that they are within permitted variation of the declared levels.

The laboratory routinely tests milk for general composition including fat content, and added water. Samples of milk taken at farms are tested for antibiotics

Fertilisers

Regulations made under the Act control the composition, labelling, sampling and analysis of fertilisers. Typical analyses include the determination of:

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Magnesium
• Trace Elements

Staffordshire Scientific Services offer this expertise to all local authorities, producers, members of the agricultural community, the home gardener and pet owners anxious about the quality of their animal feeds and fertilisers.

Dr. Frank Hollywood, Head of Staffordshire Scientific Services, holds the appointment of Agricultural Analyst for Staffordshire County Council, Leicestershire County Council and Stoke on Trent City Council.

Last Modified: 09/11/2005 14:22:17
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