Analytical Lab Services
Perennia’s Analytical Lab analyzes a range of materials including drinking, milk house and greenhouse water; soils; livestock feed; plant tissue; compost; and manure analyses. Our services are aimed primarily at agricultural producers and industry, but we also service private companies, other government agencies, researchers and the public.
As of April 1, 2026 we are not conducting dairy product testing and will advise when this service resumes.
Resources
- How to Interpret a Compost Analysis Report
- How to Interpret a Manure Analysis Report
- Liquid Manure Sampling
- Taking a Compost Sample and Solid Manure Sample
- Field Crop Tissue Sampling Guide
- Fruit Crop Tissue Sampling Guide
- Vegetable Crop Tissue Sampling Guide
- How to Take a Plant Tissue Sample
- Understanding the Tissue Analysis Report
General Information about Submitting a Sample
Submission forms must accompany all samples submitted for analysis. Samples are analyzed as received. Lab Services is a test facility only. It is up to individual clients to determine what testing they require prior to submission.
- Water samples are only being accepted at the Perennia Lab in the Harlow Building at 176 College Road in Truro until further notice.
- Water samples MUST be submitted by 1 PM Monday to Thursday.
- Water samples are not accepted on Friday.
- Bacteria water samples MUST be received at Lab Services within 24 hours of sampling.
- Bacteria water samples with color (brownish/yellowish, etc.) MUST be submitted 1:00 pm on Wednesday.
- It is recommended that samples be kept at less than 100C until delivered to the laboratory.
Sample drop off deadline: Monday to Friday until 3:30 pm
All samples must include the sample submission form.
Samples can be dropped off at the following locations:
Perennia Lab: Harlow Building, 176 College Road, Truro, NS B2N 2P3
Perennia Office: 28 Aberdeen Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2N1
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture Offices:*
84 Warwick Street, Digby, NS B0V 1A0
190 Beech Hill Road, RR#6, Antigonish, NS B2G 0B4
Nova Scotia Department for Natural Resources and Renewables: *
15039 Route 19, Inverness, NS B0E 1N0 (Strathlorne Forest Nursery)
All mailed samples should be addressed to:
Perennia Lab Services
176 College Road, Truro, NS BZN 2P3 *
* all samples submitted at these locations or mailed must include a cheque or money order with appropriate payment or you will be contacted to pay with a credit card over the phone when the sample is received at the Harlow Building.
Debit, credit cards, cheque or money orders – cash at our Truro location will be phased out as of May 31, 2026. Make cheques or money orders payable to: Perennia Food and Agriculture
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
If you have any questions, please contact the sample receiving office at (902) 893-6565 or email labs@perennia.ca