How to Process and Ship Collectable Soil Samples to AgroCares

What Are Collectable Samples?

AgroCares aims to fully cover the variety within the Lab-in-a-Box (LIAB) system. However, some samples may fall outside the current database, such as a special type of sample that still needs to be included in the database. If this happens:

• No credits will charged for analysis of such samples
• They will appear in the portal as “Collectable samples” 
• They can be used to improve the spectral database 

This is our tool to register which samples can be send to our own Golden Standard lab in order to improve the database. 

When Shipment Is Required

If a collectable sample needs to be included in the AgroCares database, it may be shipped to the Golden Standard Lab in the Netherlands.

Shipping soil samples requires specific handling and permits, therefore always contact AgroCares first at support@agrocares.com.

AgroCares will:

• Verify the sample origin 
• Confirm whether shipment is needed 
• Provide the required documentation 

Shipment of soil samples is something that requires special care and certain licences. If your lab receives soil samples that should be shipped to the Netherlands, then please contact AgroCares via support@agrocares.com. We will check with you the origin of the sample and the need to include it in our spectral database. If we proceed to shipment then we will arrange the necessary documents for you. 

Minimum Sample Requirement

A main requirement is that there is still enough soil left of your outlier sample. Before preparing the sample, check:

• At least 600 g of remaining fresh soil is available 

If this requirement is not met: select “Not collected” right away in the portal.

Sample Preparation Steps

If sufficient material is available, follow these steps:

1. Check the original fresh sample 

   1. There should be at least 600 g of fresh soil remaining.

       

2. Dry the sample 
   1. Fully dry the entire sample 
   2. Use multiple compartments in the dryer 

   3. Extend drying time if needed (longer than 1 hour if still wet) 

       

3. Sieve the sample 

   1. Use a 2 mm sieve 

       

4. Check final weight
   1. Target weight: 500 g – 1000 g (dry sample) 

If less than 500 g: Not enough material → select “Not collected” 

If more than 1000 g: Use a riffler to reduce the sample size 

Packaging Instructions

Place the sample in a clean sample bag and print two extra barcodes.

• Stick one barcode on the outside of the bag 
• Laminate the second barcode and place it inside the bag 

Final Step

Send the sample to the local SoilCares office and mark the sample as “Collected” in the portal