Send Us Your Samples

Sending samples is easy.

Place your samples and submission form in a padded box or envelope and ship to:

ISU Seed Laboratory
Attn: Customer Care
109 Seed Science Center
2115 Osborn Drive
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-1050.

FAQ’s

How do I set up an account with the ISU Seed Laboratory?

The ISU Seed Lab will set up an account and will assign you an account number once your first sample has arrived. If you have conducted business with the Seed Lab in the past, your account number will appear on your test report or summary.

Contact Customer Care at 515-294-6826 or seedlab@iastate.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Find a list of all our tests and their associated costs on our Pricing List webpage

Place your samples and submission form in a padded box.

Please make sure to provide the following information on your form:

  1. Account Number (if current customer)
  2. Company name (if any)
  3. Contact person
  4. Address
  5. Email address
  6. Phone number

Ship your samples to:

ISU Seed Laboratory
Attn: Customer Care
109 Seed Science Center
2115 Osborn Drive
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-1050

Contact Customer Care at 515-294-6826 or seedlab@iastate.edu if you have questions.

    • Pre-Printed Sample Bags Provided by the ISU Seed Lab: Bags are available at no charge by contacting ISU Seed Lab Customer Care. If bag requests exceeds 10 sample bags, we ask that you cover the shipping cost. Email your shipping label or shipping account number to seedlab@iastate.edu. We can bill the amount of shipping to you through an upcoming sample. Please advise how you would like to proceed with this when requesting sample bags.
    • Farmers: Visit your county Extension office.
    • Using Your Own Container: We ask that all samples are sent in a well-marked, clean and securely sealed bag. Quart or gallon size baggies are best depending on the number of seeds. They should be marked with identifying information like:Account # (if you have one)
      Company Name, Address, Phone Number
      Crop, Variety, Lot
      Tests Requested

Please contact Customer Care at 515-294-6826 or seedlab@iastate.edu if you need further assistance.

  • Germination and Vigor testing on corn and soybeans can be completed with one pound of seed.
  • Quantities required for other species may vary based upon the seed being tested and the tests required. Please contact Customer Care at 515-294-6826 or seedlab@iastate.edu for more information.

SAMPLE SUBMISSION FORM OPTIONS MAKE FOR QUICK AND EFFICIENT PROCESSING

For your convenience, we offer various options for submitting seed sample information:

Cover Crop Sample Form: Simply print out this form, fill it out with the necessary information, and send it in with your samples.

Sample Submission Form: Print out the pdf version of the Submission Form, fill it out, and send it with the samples. Or fill out electronically and print it. 

E-Transfer: This option allows us to upload your data directly into our in-house testing database. It reduces the chance errors in entering variety, lot, or other information that may be long and complicated; plus it reduces the time needed to get testing started

Just download one of the two provided excel sheets based on the type of samples you’re sending, fill it out completely (using the codes provided for the tests), and e-mail it to seedlab@iastate.edu when you mail your samples.

We do not currently have a generic Health Lab E-Transfer Form; please contact us for more information on Health Lab E-transfer options.

Remember!

Include your ACCOUNT NUMBER on all correspondence, sample bags, and submission forms