The University of Kentucky Division of Regulatory Services administers four mandated regulatory programs (feed, seed, fertilizer, and milk) and two service programs (seed and soil testing).  Regulatory Services has been protecting consumers and serving agriculture for over a century.  Below are highlights of our work: 

• Our feed work ensures that livestock owners are receiving properly mixed and properly labeled feeds (including medications).  Our personnel make over 900 inspections of feed manufacturers and retailers per year and pull over 3,200 samples.  These samples are analyzed in our Lexington lab to ensure they meet label guarantees.  We are also available to analyze farmer supplied feed mixes when this may be helpful.  We provide an annual report on how feed manufacturers performed at meeting their guarantees.  We also do contract inspections with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that feed is being manufactured in plants that follow good manufacturing practices.   

• Our fertilizer work ensures that fertilizer is properly mixed and labeled.  This has direct effects on crop yields, pasture growth, lawn quality, and garden productivity.  Over 1,100 inspections are conducted each year with over 2,500 samples pulled and analyzed.  An annual report is generated showing how well manufacturers met their guarantees.   

• Our seed regulatory work ensures that seeds are what they are supposed to be, will germinate like they are supposed to, and are free of noxious weeds.  We inspect over 1,000 establishments each year and pull over 1,500 samples for analysis.  This work is also summarized in an annual report. 

• On the service side, our seed laboratory is the only certified seed laboratory in the state and provides valuable services to seed producers, seed distributors, and consumers.  By state law, each farm is allowed one free seed sample per year to be tested for purity and germination. 

• Our milk program ensures that dairy farmers are paid correctly for their milk and provides educational services to producers and milk processors. 

More about all these programs are available at the Regulatory Services website.  The annual reports can give you a good idea of how well your suppliers are doing at meeting their guarantees.  http://www.rs.uky.edu/