Services
The GAN Lab offers 2 primary services to the public, based on customer-submitted fecal samples — the NIRS/NUTBAL Standard Report, and the NIRS/NUTBAL Advisory.
$45 – NIRS/NUTBAL Standard Report: Baseline service, recommended for those who are comfortable inputting data and interpreting animal nutrition outputs.
The NIRS/NUTBAL Standard Report provides fecal NIRS estimates of diet crude protein and energy (via digestible organic matter). It also includes a projected animal performance report based on user-provided inputs for animal class, current environmental conditions, and other information.
$45
Do not mail payment with your fecal sample. More payment info below.
$80 – NIRS/NUTBAL Advisory: Recommended for those who are new to animal nutrition analysis or who desire more
information and feedback concerning the fecal NIRS/NUTBAL results.
In addition to the information contained in the Standard report, The NIRS/NUTBAL Advisory offers a custom analysis of results based on user-supplied inputs and may require a follow-up by GAN Lab personnel to verify inputs and refine recommendations.
$80
Do not mail payment with your fecal sample. More payment info below.
Research Services
We have historically offered several different analysis packages for researchers based on: a) the needs of the experiment, b) the level of collaboration desired, and c) budget considerations.
Please contact us for research pricing.
Please visit our publications page for published research and more details about our NIRS and NUTBAL technologies. Please contact us at any time to discuss collaboration, pricing, etc… as we remain dedicated to advancing grazingland animal science through NIRS.
Please note that under certain circumstances, a large shipment of research samples may take longer than the standard three days. We strongly suggest contacting us ahead of time to help meet project deadlines.
How to collect and submit manure samples for analysis
Step 1: Request a fecal sample kit
The GAN Lab provides a kit for shipping fecal samples to the lab for testing. The kit includes:
- 1 instructions and information packet, also available here. This outlines the sample submission process as well as the outputs of your custom NIRS/NUTBAL analysis.
- Sample Submission Forms, available here.
- 1 insulated mailer.
- 1 freezer gel pack.
- 1 pair of gloves.
- 1 plastic spoon
- 1 sample information bag (orange-clear ziploc goes inside)
- 1 clear ziploc bag (sample)
Each kit can hold 1 sample, depending on the sample size. Pick your preference below to request fecal sample kits:
Request a fecal sample kit by using NUTBAL Online — Quickest
To request a fecal sample kit online, login at NUTBAL Online and create a “Kit Request.” Contact the GAN Lab with questions by email or by phone at 254-774-6134.
Video: How to request a fecal sample kit at NUTBAL Online
Request a fecal sample kit directly from the GAN Lab
Phone: To request a fecal sample mailing kit directly from the GAN Lab, please call us at 254-774-6134.
Email: If you prefer to request a kit by email, please send us the following information:
- Your name
- Your mailing address,
- Your preferred email
- Your phone number
- The number of fecal sample kits you will need. You may request bundles of 6, 12, 18, or 24 kits.
Step 2: Prepare your sample to mail
- Once you receive your fecal sample kit in the mail, read the accompanying instructions and information packet, also available here. Sample Submission Forms, available here.
- Design a fecal sampling schedule that fits your objectives and meets the recommended sampling schedule.
Help with designing a fecal sampling schedule
The timing and frequency of fecal sampling depend on your objectives and budget. Use our fecal sampling schedule guide to help you plan:
When formulating your sampling calendar, keep these key points in mind:
- In a number of scenarios, sampling once a month allows you to manage and track a herd’s body condition.
- A manure pile most closely reflects the forage that was consumed 36 hours prior to defecation.
- Collect a sample each time conditions change substantially, and collect a second sample 14-21 days later to establish a new baseline and trend in forage quality.
- Allow for sampling during transitional periods like fall-to-winter and winter-to-spring. Also plan to sample during traditional periods of low-quality forage like winter and during seasonal drought.
Video: Collecting and mailing a manure sample
Step 3: Mail in your sample
Remember to document
Before mailing your sample, remember to provide important details about your submission as requested at NUTBAL Online or in the printed information and submission packet you receive with your GAN Lab sample kit. This will include information about your ranch, pasture, herd and fecal sample.
Mail it in
Mail your livestock fecal samples by following the instructions at NUTBAL Online, or the printed information and submission packet you receive with your GAN Lab sample kit, also available here. Sample Submission Forms, available here.
Address:
Grazingland Animal Nutrition Lab
1052 Agronomy Rd.
TAMU 2138
College Station, TX 77843-2138
Video: Entering a sample online
Payment Information
We offer two payment options for sample processing: online payment with a credit card or receiving an invoice after the samples have been processed for payment by check. Please do not mail payments with your submitted fecal samples.
ONLINE PAYMENT: Please write your Order Number in the notes section of your sample submission forms. The ORDER NUMBER will be provided after the payment is processed.
INVOICE (Requires the Customer Information Form): Invoices are sent after each sample is processed. If you have not yet completed a Customer Accounting Form, please return the filled form via mail or email, or call us to complete it over the phone. Reports will be sent once the form is completed.
To ensure the quickest possible sample processing, please complete the GAN Lab customer information form, which also serves as a substitute for a W-9.