| FertChek ILCP
Programme Description
The FertChek proficiency programme was developed
under the direction of the New Zealand Fertiliser Manufacturers'
Association, who have appointed Proficiency Services to manage the
delivery of the FertChek programme. FertChek now has laboratories
 participating
from throughout Australia and New Zealand. The focus of this programme
is the phosphate fertiliser products used widely in Australasian
agriculture. The principal aim of FertChek is to ensure consistency
in analytical results between laboratories testing the key phosphate
fertiliser products.
Schedule and Scope of Testing
Proficiency samples in the FertChek Programme
are despatched quarterly. Participants receive two samples of the
same type (but with differing concentrations of the various analytes)
in each round. Participants have a free choice of methods, and test
each sample using the range of tests appropriate to each type of
matrix. Tests offered include Total P, Water Soluble P, Citric Soluble
P, Potassium, Elemental S, Sulphate S, Moisture, Free Acid, Calcium,
Cadmium, Fluoride, Lead, Mercury, % Grist.
Timetable 2008/09
|
Round
Number |
Order
Samples |
Despatch
to Australia
|
Despatch |
Lab Results Due |
PSL Report Due |
#3 Phosphate Rock |
16 Jun 08 |
21 Jul 08 |
28 Jul 08 |
18 Aug 08 |
1 Sep 08 |
|
#4 Superphosphate |
22 Sep 08 |
13 Oct 08 |
20 Oct 08 |
10 Nov 08 |
24 Nov 08 |
|
#1 Potassic
Superphosphate |
1 Dec 08 |
19 Jan 09 |
26 Jan 09 |
2 Mar 09 |
16 Mar 09 |
|
#2 Sulpher Superphosphate |
23 Mar 09 |
20 Apr 09 |
27 Apr 09 |
25 May 09 |
8 Jun 09 |
#3 Phosphate Rock |
15 Jun 09 |
20 Jul 09 |
27 Jul 09 |
17 Aug 09 |
31 Aug 09 |
#4 Superphosphate |
7 Sep 09 |
12 Oct 09 |
19 Oct 09 |
9 Nov 09 |
23 Nov 09 |
#1 Potassic
Superphosphate |
30 Nov 09 |
18 Jan 10 |
25 Jan 10 |
1 Mar 10 |
15 Mar 10 |
#2 Sulpher Superphosphate |
22 Mar 10 |
19 Apr 10 |
26 Apr 10 |
24 May 10 |
7 Jun 10 |
Performance Reporting & Evaluation
Statistical summaries and reports are e-mailed
(and hard-copy sent) to participants one week after the due date
for results. The reports provide information about the data pool
of participating laboratories, the individual laboratory result
as compared in the pool, a Youden Plot to graphically represent
result distribution.
Reference Samples
Reference samples from ILCP rounds are available
for laboratories to use as a benchmark for internal quality control
and training.
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