News

April 4, 2024

The Department of Agriculture in Ireland has extended the deadline for Tranche 1 participants to submit soil analysis results onto the ACRES online system from 15th May to 31st December 2024. To help customers meet this deadline with plenty of time, we are currently able to deliver rapid turnaround times of 10-12 working days in the lab for standard soil testing. ‘Irish farmers: if you haven’t had your soils analysed yet, now’s the time,’ said Siobhan O’Neill, General Manager at IAS. ‘If you wait too long, you could miss out […]

October 9, 2023

How can we improve Irish waters? Author: Eoin O’Brien 2nd October 2023 Our surface waters and groundwaters worldwide are continuously under pressure from human activities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that there was no significant change in the biological quality of Irish rivers and lakes during 2022. Where improvements were noted, they are being offset by declines elsewhere. Two of the most important tests IAS completes on a regular basis for waste and surface waters is biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis. Wastewater analysis helps treatment […]

June 7, 2023

Spring/Summer 2023 Eoin O’Brien   Irish livestock farmers are improving calving figures every year. In 2021, for example, there were 0.93 calves per cow per year, which is up from 0.91 in 2020. This is based on data from 14,234 herds. Despite this increase, we are still a considerable way off from hitting targets that have been identified as necessary to ensure a profitable dairy industry in Ireland. Meeting these targets involves making sure animals are receiving all the nutrients they require to thrive and support a successful breeding cycle. […]

March 29, 2023

March 2023   Water is one of the most valuable commodities on the modern farm. Not only is a supply of clean, potable water necessary to keep livestock healthy for optimal performance, but dairy farmers must also ensure high quality water is used to wash and preserve the equipment used in production. Read on to find out why livestock farmers need to ensure good water quality in their milking parlours, how water quality affects milking machines, how to maintain this water quality, and how IAS can help with expert water analysis services. […]

February 14, 2023

February 2023 IAS Soil Team The importance of soil sampling is not a new concept. Analysis, undertaken by an INAB accredited laboratory, can provide useful information about the chemical, biological, and physical conditions of your soil. The main principle of soil analysis is to determine the nutrient status of a given area and measure the available nutrients in the soil. This helps growers and their advisors plan effective crop nutrition strategies, and refine those strategies during the season, to optimise yield and profitability. With the increased costs of chemical fertilisers, […]

January 11, 2023

11th January 2023 As we approach slurry spreading season in Ireland, and with ever increasing pressures on chemical fertilisers, it is more important than ever to know the nutrient values of your slurry. In the past year, IAS Laboratories has seen huge differences in nutrient levels in slurry between slatted sheds and open tanks from the same farm. Analysis gives you accurate data to work with, which is vital when faced with so much variance in levels.   Why is it important to analyse slurry? Slurries are a good source of […]

December 14, 2022

On 5th December, it’s World Soils Day, a day where we celebrate soil and encourage those working in agriculture to focus their attention on maintaining soil health. But why should you invest in your soil? What benefits are there for you and your farm? Put simply, better knowledge of your soils can save you time and money, and ultimately increase profitability. Regular soil testing can give you the opportunity to increase crop yields, use less fertiliser, take advantage of carbon markets and ultimately improve revenue streams. Read on to find out how IAS […]

December 6, 2022

5 key measurements for optimal soil management Farmers across the UK & Ireland have faced considerable challenges over the last year. A dry and cooler spring delayed crop growth, followed by droughted conditions and high temperature across the summer that led to rapidly accelerated crop maturity, causing a hurried harvest (Figure 1). However, recent heavy rainfalls could have resulted in this ‘residual nitrogen’ being washed away, meaning that farmers will have to think carefully about next year’s crops now to help them be prepared for Spring and get ahead of […]

December 2, 2022

December 2022                                                                                                                                                                 Eoin O’Brien (Sales Manager) Grass silage, made from fermented […]

November 21, 2022

With Christmas only a few weeks away, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their business during 2022, and to let you all know of our operating arrangements over the holiday period. Click Here Our laboratory arrangements for Christmas and New Year. For any enquiries, or to book in your samples, please speak to your usual contact in IAS Laboratories. Christmas-New-Year-Arrangements-IAS-2022-2023

September 29, 2022

There are about 50 thoroughbred horses per 10,000 people in Ireland. This staggering number is far more than most racing nations, and 10 times higher than in the UK, France, and the US. The Irish horse racing industry is worth €1 billion per annum, and so keeping horses strong, healthy, and happy is incredibly important to the Irish economy. Selenium imbalance in horse diets can have worrying consequences. Selenium is an essential trace element for many animals, including horses, cows, and humans. It is an vital component of many enzymes and proteins […]

August 18, 2022

IAS Laboratories launches CarbonCheck service   IAS Laboratories has launched CarbonCheck, a comprehensive soil carbon testing service for farmers and their advisors across Ireland. This service will help Irish farmers and growers measure, monitor, and benchmark their soil health and carbon levels to accurately assess progress on their carbon journey.   ‘The Irish government is encouraging farmers to put soil carbon, soil health, and fertility at the centre of the country’s agriculture,’ said Eoin O’Brien, Head of Sales at IAS. ‘Ireland has committed to a 51% reduction in emissions by […]

August 2, 2022

August 2022 – 5 Ways to tell if your water is safe to drink. Do you have a private water supply? Then it’s your responsibility to ensure it is safe to drink. As private sources are not regulated, local authorities leave testing drinking water quality in the hands of the homeowner. If it’s not suitable for consumption or there is an issue with your supply, you will not be informed. So, testing your water to identify any contamination is vital. There are 5 ways to tell if your water is […]

May 20, 2022

    One of the most expensive days in the Irish farming calendar is when the silage contractor rolls into the yard. Rising costs mean that this very important day is now more significant than ever. Farmers must ensure that the highest quality silage is made for the winter months ahead, especially as purchased feed prices continue to soar. Read on to find out more about the importance of good quality silage, 5 top tips on growing silage, and how IAS can help.   The importance of good quality silage […]

April 25, 2022

All life on Earth depends on water. Whether it’s used for drinking, domestic use, food production, or recreational purposes, safe and readily available water is essential for public health. However, not everyone has access to clean water, and while it may not smell, taste, or look different, it may still pose a health risk. Did you know that if you have a private water supply, it is your responsibility to ensure that your drinking water is safe to drink? Read on to find out about the importance of high-quality drinking […]

April 25, 2022

20th April 2022 Independent Analytical Supplies (IAS), leading Irish agricultural and environmental testing laboratory, has a solution for farmers wanting to increase efficiency in response to soaring fertiliser and supplement prices. IAS Laboratories has a proud tradition helping Irish farmers overcome these issues for more than a quarter of a century. ‘Accurate, reliable data is essential in driving efficient farming practices, particularly in light of recent challenges livestock farmers are facing,’ said Michael Hogan, Technical Advisor ‘Fertiliser prices have soared to €1,200 per tonne, making it far more expensive to […]

February 24, 2022

In February 2022 IAS Laboratories has become part of the Cawood Scientific Group. The UK’s largest specialist provider of analytical laboratory testing services for the land-based industries. With multiple sites worldwide, Cawood will allow us to grow and invest in our capabilities and capacity with the backing of the wider group. IAS Laboratory will continue to grow and develop from our Co. Carlow base while working closely with the Cawood team to maintain our reputation for high quality and efficient service, and to build both businesses to meet customer demand. […]

December 13, 2021

December 2021 IAS Laboratories are seeking Soil Samplers across Ireland for farm level sampling programmes IAS laboratories is one of Irelands leading independent Agricultural Laboratories, who carry out soil sampling programmes throughout Ireland. We are looking for reliable, self-driven people who know the agriculture sector and can operate in their own region. Own vehicle essential. Full training and equipment will be supplied. Applicants must have a minimum of level 5 green cert. To apply send your CV to [email protected] Please include, qualifications, experience, location and availability

October 6, 2021

Carlow based IAS Laboratories are to partner with NRM Laboratories and Farmeye in an innovative €10m pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme. As a result of this contract the company, who are head-quartered in Bagenalstown, will be taking on additional eight staff. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announced the programme last week. It is aimed at putting soil carbon, soil health and fertility at the centre of the future agricultural model. Minister McConalogue said that the programme would provide national baseline information on soils across Irish […]

June 3, 2021

Mineral deficiencies and imbalances impact on herd performance under three broad categories: Reduced fertility performance: silent heats, reduced conception rates, re-absorption, abortions, tetany, milk fever etc. Reduced thrive and immunity Structural problems such as poor hoof quality. Grass and milk analysis are essential tools in diagnosing and quantifying the background mineral levels on a farm. IAS Grass Mineral Test Grass and Silage testing and analysis is a vital practice on livestock farms as it assesses the likely feed value and animal performance so that suitable mineral supplements and rations can […]

March 2, 2021

IAS Laboratories have been testing Drinking Water for over 30 years, and in that time come across many of the issues households experience in poor quality drinking waters. IAS laboratories test drinking waters for our basic Health Check Scan which includes Bacteria, Chemical, Metals and nuisance all in accordance with the European Union Drinking Water Regulations 2014 legislation. IAS Laboratory is an accredited Lab with INAB to international standards ISO17025.   The quality of Drinking Waters have been in the news in recent weeks (February 2021), when the EPA released […]

April 9, 2020

IAS Laboratories have been involved with a recent study carried out by Dublin City University on the public perceptions of water quality in Ireland. An in-depth study and analysis on the perceptions of the general public on their water supply was carried out by academics and scientists in DCU. Some of the key findings included that participants had a lack of trust in public and private assessments of water quality. The study found that the responsibility was viewed as something which should be shared between communities and state agencies, and […]

February 22, 2019

The Environmental Protection Agency have issued a statement warning of the risk posed by untested drinking water. They refer specifically to E.coli which is normally a strong indication of faecal contamination of water. This can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and is a particularly strong risk to infants or immunocompromised individuals. The report focuses specifically on small businesses, schools, hotels etc. If your business has a private well for drinking water, IAS can carry out bacterial and chemical analysis and alert you to any hazards if present.