LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The soil, water and agriculture testing laboratory at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces will close by the end of June because larger private labs can do the same work more efficiently.
The university says in a news release that the closure will affect nine workers, some of who are retiring.
The lab was started in 1973 when private testing was not as readily available, serving faculty, state agencies and the public.
The lab tests plants and soils for chemicals and gives fertilizer recommendations. It also is certified by the state environmental department to test drinking water and does basic microbiological testing of drinking and wastewater.
Lab users are being directed to the private labs. More information on those labs is available at the lab's website, at http://swatlab.nmsu.edu/ .
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
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