History

Monty and Kathy Dade opened Custom Laboratory Inc. on April 1st, 1985. At that time only classic “Wet Chemistry” was used for routine testing for all feedstuffs, soils, etc. In 1993 the lab acquired a Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIR) that greatly speeds up testing and reduces much of the labor, chemicals, and employees needed to test large volumes of samples daily. The lab then had the capability to analyze forages, silages, dry hays, grains, by-products, commercial feed mixes, pet foods, poultry litter, animal waste, spent by-products, soil, water, as well as other things too varied to mention. Today, as a full functioning laboratory, we provide comprehensive NIR sampling, as well as Wet Chemistry for any sample types the NIR is not capable of doing, or as a supplement test to the NIR analysis when the customer desires these results. Our clients include farmers, growers, hay brokers, feed mills, feed stores, feed manufacturers, individuals, researchers, fertilizer and lime companies, poultry operations, hog operations, feed lots, gardeners, and others. We are nationally certified by the National Forage Testing Association (hay and forages) and the North American Proficiency Testing Association (soils).

 

Monty and Kathy Dade opened Custom Laboratory Inc. on April 1st, 1985. At that time only classic “Wet Chemistry” was used for routine testing for all feedstuffs, soils, etc. In 1993 the lab acquired a Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIR) that greatly speeds up testing and reduces much of the labor, chemicals, and employees needed to test large volumes of samples daily. The lab then had the capability to analyze forages, silages, dry hays, grains, by-products, commercial feed mixes, pet foods, poultry litter, animal waste, spent by-products, soil, water, as well as other things too varied to mention. Today, as a full functioning laboratory, we provide comprehensive NIR sampling, as well as Wet Chemistry for any sample types the NIR is not capable of doing, or as a supplement test to the NIR analysis when the customer desires these results. Our clients include farmers, growers, hay brokers, feed mills, feed stores, feed manufacturers, individuals, researchers, fertilizer and lime companies, poultry operations, hog operations, feed lots, gardeners, and others. We are nationally certified by the National Forage Testing Association (hay and forages) and the North American Proficiency Testing Association (soils).

After 32 years of success, Monty and Kathy made the decision to sell Custom Laboratory and retire. With many interested parties coming forth, an agreement was reached with local businessman and farmer, Steve and Karie Currence. Training and transition into the laboratory began in February 2018. The Currence’s goals are to continue the personal customer service which the Custom Laboratory’s customers have become accustom. In addition, the laboratory will be relocated to a facility in the Joplin area as soon as a suitable location is found.

Steve and Karie Currence look forward to growing the company, however, they will not lose site of the value and service that the Dade’s have provided to their customer base across the country for over 30 years.