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A6R I CULTURAL LABORATORIES 



1. Grain Laboratory - Bozeman 



The Montana Grain and Seed Laboratory, also known as the Grain 

 Lab, is located on the Montana State University Campus. The lab 

 is under the direction of the Department of Plant and Soil Sci- 

 ence of the Agricultural Experiment Station. The head of the 

 Department of Plant and Soil Science and supervisors of the Grain 

 Lab share their time between administration and teaching duties 

 within the MSU College of Agriculture. 



As required by Section 46-208, R.C.M. 1947, the Grain Lab is re- 

 sponsible for testing seed to be sold in Montana, and for USDA 

 grading and protein testing of commercial grains, mainly wheat and 

 barley. This grading and testing function represents a relatively 

 minor portion of the total lab work load, with only about 7,000 

 grain samples received annually. 



Samples of seed and grain are sent to the Grain Lab primarily by 

 commercial grain and seed growers and Department of Agriculture 

 seed inspectors. Test results on seeds are reviewed by the lab 

 supervisor and the data is submitted to the State Department of 

 Agriculture as the chief regulatory agency. Results of grain 

 grading and protein tests are reviewed by one of two USDA licensed 

 inspectors and the reports are then forwarded to the submitting 

 commercial grower. Fees are charged for grading and protein test- 

 ing, and test results serve as a basis for the commercial marketing 

 of the particular grain tested. 



The grain lab is closely integrated with the College of Agriculture 

 and the Agricultural Experiment Station. Fee schedules are de- 

 termined by the Agricultural Experiment Station and the purchase 

 of all supplies and equipment is handled through the MSU business 

 office. The Grain Lab also shares equipment, space and personnel 

 with the Department of Plant and Soil Science. 



The Bozeman Grain Lab is unique in that it is the only lab in the 

 United States doing serological tests for barley virus. This test 

 was recently developed at MSU and has helped to reduce crop damage 

 from barley virus throughout the country. 



At the present time, field inspectors employed by the Department 

 of Agriculture collect seed and grain samples at various locations 

 around the state and mail them to the Bozeman Grain Laboratory. 

 This is done in conjunction with the inspector's normal duties and 

 at no charge to the Bozeman Grain Laboratory. The Bozeman lab has 

 the statutory authority to employ samplers under Section 3-806, 

 R.C.M. 1947, but has not found it necessary to do so as long as 

 this informal arrangement has been in effect. 



The Council finds that legislation is necessary to authorize the 

 Department of Agriculture to contract to do sampling for the Boze- 

 man Grain Laboratory and to receive reimbursement for any costs 



