University of Georgia Facebook Twitter search Agricultural & Environmental Services Laboratories About Services Publications Tools Proficiency Tests ALP Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency MAP Manure Analysis Proficiency NSI NSI Solutions, Inc. USGS U.S. Geological Survey Cycle 39 Cycle 40 Cycle 41 Cycle 42 Cycle 43 Cycle 44 Cycle 45 2011 Round 1 2011 Round 2 2013 Round 1 2013 Round 2 2014 Round 1 2014 Round 2 2015 Round 1 2015 Round 2 2016 Round 1 2016 Round 2 2017 Round 1 2017 Round 2 2017 Round 3 2018 Round 1 2018 Round 2 2019 Round 1 2019 Round 2 2020 Round 1 2020 Round 2 2021 Round 1 2021 Round 2 WS-085 2011-May WS-086 2011-Aug WS-Mercury 2011-Nov NSI PT test 2012-Oct NSI PT test 2013-Apr Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2013 Old Protocol ❌ New Protocol ✓ IT reads in all data, enters hand-written data, and applies dilution factors or converts units as needed. IT hunts down all datafiles – there were 18 for the latest ALP samples. IT creates reports in the needed format, including averages, etc. The latest ALP samples took approximately 5 hours of my time. We do ALP four times a year, USGS twice, MAP twice(?), and NSI four times(?). IT probably spends the equivalent of a week-and-a-half each year doing proficiency samples, because they are analyzed differently from other samples. For example, the latest ALP soils and plants were not weighed following our standard protocol (except for pH). If they had been, those results would have been automatically saved to the database, plus we would have had the graphs to check for potential sample swaps. Many results are hand-written and have to be gathered from dozens of pages in the proficiency folders. Some results are not in our default units. That makes it impossible for June to do the data entry. QA/QC Officer will meet with Dr. Sonon and me (Rick) prior to any analysis. We will determine what tests should be run, what special sample handling/preparation is required, and what reporting is needed. Once a proficiency suite's procedures are formalized, this meeting may not be necessary for its future samples. Proficiency samples will be treated like any other samples (when possible). They will have a Research Submission Form with all required tests checked. They will not be weighed differently or have rinses between samples. They will follow our normal data-entry procedures. Handwritten data will be in our standard units. If the QA/QC Officer needs units converted by the analysts, they will do so on separate paperwork provided. SPW data will be written on the form as usual. For non-SPW handwritten data, the QA/QC Officer will create a spreadsheet in our default units. Technicians will send their datafiles to the QA/QC Officer. When complete, the QA/QC Officer will send me the spreadsheet and all datafiles. I will create the reports and add the datafiles to the online Proficiency program. Most reporting for ALP, MAP, NSI, and USGS has been automated, so I would simply update the report program with new results. Site Navigation: Sitemap A-Z Index Personnel Directory Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Connect with CAES: Intranet CAES News CAES Events CAES Home © 2021 University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. All Rights Reserved. University of Georgia Schools and Colleges Directory MyUGA Employment Opportunities Copyright and Trademarks Privacy #UGA on Facebook Twitter Instagram Snapchat YouTube LinkedIn © University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 706‑542‑3000