The Ranch Diagnostics Lab offers dietary diagnostic analysis of fecal samples by using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). We also partner with the Texas A&M Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory to provide microbiological testing for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliform bacteria, as well as screening for cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in livestock drinking water.

Dietary diagnostic analysis of fecal samples

The Ranch Diagnostics Lab accepts and analyzes your pasture-collected fecal samples by using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, NIRS. This fecal analysis has proven to be a useful and effective diagnostic and management tool — determining the forage quality in an animal’s system 36 hours prior to defecating. The Ranch Diagnostics Lab’s NIRS analyses can tell you the percentages of protein and energy in the forage your animals are grazing. 

After the NIRS analysis, nutritional balance software known as NUTBAL (operated by Ranch Diagnostics Lab staff or available to you online) processes data about animal profiles, environmental conditions, pasture conditions, supplemental feed programs and gain goals. With this data, the NUTBAL software generates reports that estimate forage intake, protein or energy requirements and intake, and weight change. 

This decision support process is known as the NIRS/NUTBAL System.

Water testing

The Ranch Diagnostics Lab partners with the Texas A&M Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory to provide microbiological testing for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliform bacteria, as well as screening for cyanobacterial hepatotoxins. in livestock drinking water.

Ranch Diagnostics Lab contact information:

Phone: (254) 774-6134
Email: ranchlab@ag.tamu.edu
Address: 1052 Agronomy Rd.
TAMU 4138
College Station, TX 77843-4138