MEMBERSHIP
Feed and fertilizer samples await preparation by grinding prior to analysis . Photo : KDA Lab
The Kansas Department of Agriculture Laboratory , which also houses the Kansas Metrology Laboratory . Photo : KDA Lab
have learned select chemistry methods on-the-job . What ’ s more , seasonal fluctuations in testing allow certain staff to work in more than one area , for example , testing pesticides in the spring and summer and fertilizer in the fall and winter .
Services
The KDA Lab relies upon specialized laboratory sections to deliver its analytical services :
• The Dairy Laboratory works with the state ’ s Dairy Inspection Program under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance . The laboratory annually tests samples from each of the state ’ s 228 dairy farms and all its dairy processors using official methods from FDA and the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments ( NCIMS ). Because Kansas has broad capability for analysis of dairy samples , the laboratory also tests samples of goat and camel milk for the State of Missouri . In addition to these testing services , the section ’ s two FDA-certified Laboratory Evaluation Officers provide training and conduct onsite audits of dairy producers and plants to ensure that they perform testing , such as screening for antibiotics , correctly .
• The Feed and Fertilizer Laboratory combines year-round testing of livestock feeds and pet foods , with seasonal analyses of fertilizers . These analytical operations are combined because they use many of the same instruments . The laboratory verifies product label guarantees by analyzing the concentration of nutrients and / or medications in livestock feeds , pet foods and pet treats . The laboratory also analyzes grain ingredients and finished products to screen for aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol , which can cause serious health effects in humans and animals . Like feed testing , fertilizer testing is conducted to confirm that the nutrient content of a product is present at the amount indicated on the label .
• The Pesticide Laboratory supports investigations of pesticide drift complaints for residues and pesticide formulations to confirm label ingredients . This team can test a wide range of matrices for pesticide residues , even unusual matrices like honeybees .
• The Food Microbiology Laboratory routinely tests meat samples for pathogens and sometimes fat , protein and moisture content . This lab also conducts testing during foodborne outbreaks and testing of foods and environmental swabs associated with food safety inspections and federal surveillance programs .
• The Metrology Laboratory is the state ’ s arbiter of mass and volume standards , providing services to other laboratories , government agencies , service companies and industries . In accordance with international and national metric standards , the laboratory calibrates mass standards , weight carts and test measures used to calibrate other weighing and measuring devices . Errors in measurement can have real consequences . A consumer could become ill if the contents of a medication were not measured precisely .
• The Industrial Hemp Program assesses the level of THC in industrial hemp samples . If the THC level is below 0.3 %, the crop is deemed industrial hemp and may be used in products ranging from CBD oil to building materials . Conversely , if the THC level is 0.3 % or higher , the crop is legally deemed to be marijuana and is destroyed .
Achievements
Flowers cites two achievements from her brief tenure at the KDA Lab . She has rewritten job descriptions so that staff roles are well-defined and align with agency goals and operations . She has also shared the laboratory ’ s long-term goals with staff to show them how their daily responsibilities contribute to these ends .
Challenges
Flowers considers succession planning to be her top challenge , and she aims to be proactive rather than reactive in addressing it . She pared down the APHL Knowledge Retention Tool for use in Nebraska and has shared the revised version with her Kansas staff . Flowers also is striving to keep position descriptions up to date and is revisiting the laboratory ’ s continuity of operations plan to be better prepared for the next emergency .
In 2020 , the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced the laboratory ’ s test volume because inspectors could not go into the field to collect samples for a brief period . Without analyses to perform staff could concentrate on setting up their new facility , enabling them to progress more rapidly .
Goals
Flowers aims to build strong partnerships with Kansas State University and to create a state laboratory consortium representing commercial , government and university labs . n
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Summer 2021 LAB MATTERS 29 |