Sci-Tech has successfully validated a method for the detection of ESBL E. coli in soil samples. This extends the division’s microbiological testing capability for the livestock sector, helping professionals identify the presence of ESBL quickly before it affects productivity.
‘Our extensive expertise in veterinary diagnostics and testing services allows us to regularly develop innovative analytical solutions to meet new challenges in the market,’ said David Petrie-Dolphin, Business Development Manager at Sci-Tech. ‘Validating this new method to detect ESBL-producing strains of E. coli in soil was on the top of our list. These strains are resistant to antibiotic types, making infections harder to treat. As a result, detecting ESBL E. coli early on is very important for animal health and welfare.’
E. coli is a common bacterium that normally lives harmlessly in the gut. The strains caused by the enzyme Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) are known to be transferred from livestock to humans and can cause health issues[1]. They are resistant to cephalosporins, penicillins, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim, tetracycline, and some other antibiotics, which dramatically limits options for treatment.
Recent research into ESBL E. coli in livestock found that the strains are present in a high percentage of samples and may be the source of the development of increased antibiotic resistance. Sci-Tech’s method is therefore important in both in avoiding adverse consequences to animal health and, by extension, human health, and in extending the division’s capabilities.
‘Our vision is to support sustainable food production and a safer healthier planet by helping our customers enhance performance with value-added services,’ said Simon Parrington, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cawood. ‘Developing innovative solutions such as this means that we can further cement our position as the UK’s leading independent scientific group while helping our customers stay ahead of new challenges.’
Find out more information on our microbiological and serological testing services here.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4659621/
Marchwood has added PFAS substances testing to its analytical services. Marchwood has since expanded its service to 52 PFAS analytes to help companies comply with upcoming legislation, safeguard public health, and protect the environment.
‘Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated to PFAS, are a group of synthetic chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings that help to resist heat and repel oil, stains, grease, and water,’ said Simon Rudd, Environmental Business Development Manager at Marchwood (South). ‘You probably have quite a few things in your home which contain PFAS, like anti-stain clothing, furniture, or non-stick pots and pans. More commonly known as “forever chemicals”, they do exactly as you’d expect: once made, they persist in the environment for a very long time, potentially contaminating our food, water and air. That’s why it’s important for labs like ours to test for PFAS.’
PFAS includes around 4,700 manmade chemicals, such as Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), developed to protect fabric surfaces and materials against grease, stains, and water, and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used to make Teflon. PFOS-containing products such as cleaning agents, paints, and sprays, as well as flame retardants can stay in the environment for millennia, move through soils, and bypass wastewater filtration systems without breaking down. PFAS are hazardous to public health, and high levels could adversely affect reproduction, thyroid function, the immune system, and damage the liver.
‘While the UK, US and EU prohibited the production and use of PFOS over twenty years ago, they are still in use,’ continued Simon. ‘They can even be found in incinerator emissions. PFAS and PFOA-related compounds are listed in the Stockholm Convention as Persistent Organic Pollutants. The UK Environment Agency is talking about PFAS in its chemical investigation programmes, and there are upcoming requirements for utilities to start looking for them in recycling plants as well as in drinking waters.
‘By analysing waste material, effluents, sewage, soils, and biosolids before they are spread to land, we are taking an active role in limiting exposure to PFAS and supporting a safer, healthier planet.’
For more information on our chemical analysis services, contact us.
This news article has been updated to reflect changes made in 2026.
Cawood has announced another acquisition, the agricultural and environmental testing laboratory, IAS Laboratories.
IAS provides a range of water, soil, crop tissue, silage, sludge and effluent analysis services for the agricultural and environmental sectors. The new acquisition fits perfectly into Cawood’s Agriculture and Environmental business units, complementing the activities of NRM, which provides independent laboratory analysis for land-based industries.
‘I would like to give a warm welcome David O’Connell, the IAS management team, and all our new colleagues to Cawood,’ said Simon Parrington, Cawood’s group CEO. ‘While NRM delivers agronomic and environmental analysis throughout the UK, we have long desired our own laboratory location in Ireland. We are delighted to now have a laboratory nearer one of our major markets to expand the tests available to Irish farmers.’
Located in Bagenalstown in Co Carlow, Ireland, IAS employs 20 people comprising management, administration, and qualified laboratory personnel. IAS has decades of experience servicing Irish agriculture and can trace its roots back to the Irish Sugar Company. IAS has recently moved into the environmental monitoring sector and will now operate as a division of Cawood.
‘We are looking forward to joining Cawood and working together to build both our businesses,’ said David, Managing Director of IAS. ‘Being part of the group means accelerated investment for IAS, helping us to extend our capabilities and capacity for our customers. We are committed to continual innovation and development to meet the needs of our customers with high quality services. This new partnership will help us do this even more effectively.’
‘Both Cawood and our new parent company, Ensign-Bickford Industries, are looking forward to helping David and the team grow the business within Ireland,’ continued Simon. ‘IAS and its customers will also benefit some of our recent innovative projects, developed by NRM following consultations with industry experts, customers, and government advisors. Services like CarbonCheck for measuring soil carbon, GrainCheck for determining grain nutrient offtake, and N-Check for measuring soil mineral nitrogen, are three packages designed to help farmers and advisors optimise crop production and benchmark soil health. So, this acquisition fits perfectly with our strategy of extending our capacity to help customers meet their goals and support a safer, healthier planet.’
About IAS
IAS Laboratories can trace its roots back to the old Irish Sugar Company in the late 1980s and has been specialising in agricultural and environmental testing ever since. The business has extensive experience in soil testing, domestic drinking water testing, commercial water quality testing, compost and sludge analysis, and silage testing. On-site monitoring and sampling services around Ireland are also available. The laboratory is INAB accredited to ISO 17025:2017 standards for full analytical compliance.
For more information, visit https://iaslabs.ie/.
Sciantec has purchased a new LC triple quadrupole instrument to further expand its chromatography portfolio. This new equipment, which is in the process of being validated and accredited, will be used to process and analyse mycotoxins, veterinary residues, vitamins, and pesticides in food and feed commodities.
‘Food and feed commodities are subject to quality checks when being traded, treated, or stored,’ said David Elo, Technical Commercial Manager for Contaminants at Sciantec. ‘However, if different continents have distinct legislation, it can be difficult to ensure global safety to the food chain—and if done wrongly, food/feed product recalls are expensive for producers. So, it’s important for us to deliver quality accredited data to give customers peace of mind that the food they will consume or sell down the line will not have negative impacts.’
As part of Cawood’s strategy to extend its capacity while supporting a safer, healthier planet, this instrument will help to provide customers with ‘fit for purpose data’ to fulfil food and feed safety quality assurance schemes.
‘Innovations like these demonstrate our ongoing investment in the business and our culture of continuous improvement. This helps to cement our position in the forefront of our sector, said Sean Stevenson, Cawood’s Commercial Director. ‘When it’s ready to go, it will be very useful in helping keep our food and feed commodities safe throughout the food chain.’
Sciantec is currently validating new methods and applying for ISO 17025 for this service via UKAS. To be notified when this service will be available, or for more information, contact us.
The uptake of NRM’s Soil Mineral Nitrogen (SMN) service doubled in January compared with the same period last year. This reflects the farmers and advisors’ need for greater insight into crop performance to combat high fertiliser prices.
‘When nitrogen fertiliser prices began to soar in the autumn of 2021, it became clear just how necessary measuring SMN levels is,’ said Rory Geldard, Business Development Manager at NRM. ‘Assessing how much nitrogen is left in the soil after the winter helps growers and agronomists decide how much additional nitrogen to apply to optimise their crop nutrition programmes. This protects them against volatile fertiliser prices. We’re not surprised that twice as many farmers are taking the opportunity to test, especially with our new SMN package now available.’
NRM’s new N-Check service, which launched at the beginning of the year, analyses soil for Nitrate-Nitrogen, Ammonium-Nitrogen, soil mineral nitrogen, and gives a total value for the combined soil depth. N-Check Plus adds soil organic matter (SOM) to estimate mineralisable nitrogen, Spring crop N to determine the soil nitrogen supply (SNS), and the SNS index based on RB209 guidelines.
‘We have received double the number of samples for SMN analysis in January compared with the same period in 2021,’ continued Rory. ‘The results are very interesting too. For example, while the average SMN value was 34kg N/ha across the three sample depths of 0-30cm, 30-60cm and 60-90cm, this increased as the sampling depth increased. This could suggest that nitrogen has leached further down the soil profile, potentially encouraging later fertiliser applications in the future. This type of value-added insight to inform future decision making, such as how much and how early fertiliser should be applied in the Spring, drives efficiency in an unpredictable market.’
‘We are delighted to be the laboratory of choice for so many advisors, crop production firms, and farm businesses across the UK,’ said Simon Parrington, Chief Executive Officer of Cawood. ‘We are committed to developing more innovative services like N-Check to support our customers in making the right decisions for their businesses.’
For more details on our N-Check services, contact us.