How do I package and send samples?

The best general practices when packing and sending samples are:

• Always use quality packaging
• Make sure everything is thoroughly sealed
• Ensure grain and meal sample bags have all air removed prior to sealing
• Bubble wrap can provide a good layer of protection
• Ensure that all types of samples have paperwork included
• When sending samples with Australia Post, please use our PO Box to avoid delay

For liquid/tallow

A minimum of one litre of sample for a full analysis is ideal; this covers the analysis and leaves a small surplus for further testing or retesting if required. We retain the remaining sample for six months.

A quality container made of a pliable plastic – polypropylene or similar should be used. Each container needs a well fitted lid (preferably wadded). We use and recommend Plasdene containers.

Be sure not to seal hot tallow into jars immediately after packaging, as the pressure inside the container can lead to leakage during transit.

Containers should be sealed with a strong sealing tape around the lid as well as end to end and placed into a sealed plastic bag. Sealing samples this way prevents the lid coming off under pressure and loss of the sample.

Please make sure samples are labelled and paperwork included for identification.

For grain, seed and pulse samples

We require a 1.5 kilogram shipment composite sample for testing. An ‘A’ and ‘B’ sample should be sent – with the ‘B’ sample retained in case of retesting or future testing needs.

Samples should be sent double-bagged, using heavy grade zip-lock bags or strong plastic bags sealed with zip ties. Zip lock bags should have any air removed then folded and taped down to prevent the seal from bursting open. Paperwork is safest in between the double bagging where it can be seen.

For meal samples

We require a 1 kilogram shipment composite sample for testing. As with the grain samples, meal samples should be double bagged and clearly identifiable using the CIS sample request form.

If a sample is high in moisture and or fat (like pressed cake meal) it should be well sealed and sent at the beginning of the week. If they are sent late, they may be held up in a courier dock over a weekend and risk being compromised or spoiled.