Soil Testing

Soil and Organic Certification Tests

Using the latest technology, Hill Labs offers a complete range of soil tests for evaluating fertility and soil health, as well as tests to meet organic certification requirements.

Hill Labs soil testing services allow measurement of the nutrient status of soil for a whole range of land-use purposes. Understanding the soil nutrient status is important regardless of whether you are a large-scale farming or horticultural operator, recreational turf or garden manager, or small lifestyle block owner. Our soil tests enable you to make sound management decisions for sustainable land use. We also have tests that are required to meet organic certification, as well as environmental soil tests to assess potential contamination.

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Agricultural and Horticultural Soil

Agricultural and horticultural soils are tested to measure the soil fertility and soil quality for monitoring fertiliser programmes and to assist with identifying nutrient deficiency or toxicity.

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Organic Farming

Like routine farm systems, organically farmed soils are tested to measure the soil quality & nutrient levels and can also be tested for contaminants.

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Contaminated Soil

Soil may become contaminated with a wide variety of chemicals, e.g. hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and pesticide residues to name a few.

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Earthworm eDNA in Soil

Earthworms are a crucial component of soil biology, and abundant earthworm populations are recognised as an indicator of healthy soil. Our new Earthworm eDNA test contributes to building a holistic understanding of your soil’s health. 

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Helpful links

Our team of testing experts has meticulously crafted these documents to offer recommendations tailored to your testing requirements.

Latest Stories

Hill News August 2024 - Update From Our MD, Dr Jonno Hill

This year our business turns 40, so it is natural that we take some time to reflect on our journey to date, and where we think we might be heading.  One of the things I am particularly proud of at the moment is the increasing attention we're paying to measuring and reducing our environmental footprint.  Running a business in a competitive market requires that many things are done well, and so we are always working hard at our 'business-as-usual' routine services, as well as a portfolio of projects aimed at expanding and improving our business.  As for any business, our key people generally have very little discretionary time, and there is always a list of things to do.  Spending time on environmental sustainability initiatives therefore requires deliberate thought and effort - time that needs to be carved out in an environment where time is of the essence. 
  21 Aug 2024

Reliable metal testing results to ensure your wine meets market standards

Essential trace elements and undesirable heavy metals can be introduced into wine through various parts of the wine making process from vine to vintage. This includes: geochemical composition of rocks and soil, trace elements from environmental pollution, the use of fertilisers and pesticides, contact of grape material with various materials used in winemaking, including stainless steel, different types of wooden barrels, glass bottles, and other equipment.
  15 Aug 2024

A new measure for Soil Biological Health

Determining the presence of earthworms in soil has become easier. Hill Labs is delighted to announce the release of our new earthworm eDNA (environmental DNA) test which detects the DNA of earthworms in soil. A first for New Zealand, this soil test provides an indication of one of the biological components of soil health.
  13 Aug 2024

What our customers have to say

"We've always found them to be responsive in getting results back and giving advice on problems we might be facing."

Andrew Hutchinson, Technical Manager, Turners & Growers

"We strongly recommend Hill Labs as a sound testing service provider to the honey industry."

Nick Walker, Technical Manager, Egmont Honey

"Their sample registration system has made things simple and seamless - collect, scan and send!"

Mathew Bannister, Compliance Manager, First Fresh New Zealand

Accreditations

As a New Zealand accredited laboratory by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), Hill Labs' commitment to quality is tantamount to our overall operating philosophy. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work.