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You can access a PDF version of the Agricultural Chemistry Department Profile below.
Agricultural Chemistry Department
Room 102 Ag Chemistry Building
4159 Highland Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225-342-5812
Fax: 225-342-0027
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
Ted Gauithier, PhD
Department Head
Website:
www.LSUAgCenter.com/departments/Ag_Chemistry
Research Focus:
Researchers within the LSU AgCenter utilize the Agricultural Chemistry Department for analytical services required by their research projects.
Regulatory Focus:
Agricultural Chemistry is the official laboratory responsible for analyzing agricultural chemicals and other farm input components.
Extension Focus:
The Agricultural Chemistry Department provides analytical support for extension personnel of the LSU AgCenter.
The Agricultural Chemistry Department provides analytical chemistry support to the research and extension efforts of the LSU AgCenter. Analyses are performed on plant and animal tissues, soil, water, feeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural chemicals and agricultural commodities. The laboratory will analyze these sample types for the general public for a fee. In addition, Agricultural Chemistry provides regulatory monitoring of animal feeds, pet foods, plant food and agriculture liming materials for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Researchers within the LSU AgCenter utilize the Agricultural Chemistry analytical capabilities to perform tests for protein, fat and fiber in feeds; nutrients and metals in water; chemical residue matrices; antibiotic use in feeds; PCBs in marine mammals; melamine in feeds; and other studies. Laboratory equipment available within the Agricultural Chemistry unit includes state-of-the-art, multiple gas and liquid chromatographs, ICP and tandem mass spectrometers.
Agricultural Chemistry is the analytical laboratory for the Division of Pesticide and Environmental Programs of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and is responsible for analyzing agricultural chemicals and other farm-input components as part of the regulatory enforcement of pesticides, feed, pet foods, fertilizers and limes and for the meat inspection program for the state of Louisiana. Analyses are performed on plant and animal tissues, soil, water, feeds, pet foods, fertilizers, pesticide formulations, marketplace samples of pesticides, structural mixes, agricultural chemicals, agricultural commodities, water monitoring, disinfectants, damage complaints, veterinary pharmaceuticals and meat and seafood products. The Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory is a member of the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN).
Agricultural Chemistry provides analytical support for LSU AgCenter extension personnel and the general public for a fee. Tours of the facility for classes and professional groups are available on appointment.
The regulatory, research and extension work done by the Agricultural Chemistry Department includes analyses of more than 10,000 samples per year. In addition, Louisiana consumers are assured quality product purchases with registration and review of product labels on feeds, pet foods, fertilizer and agricultural liming products. The Department also provides analytical support for the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).