| 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 2007/08
|
Round
Number |
Despatch |
Lab Results Due |
PSL Report Due |
|
#1 Potassic
Superphosphate |
29 January 07 |
5 March 07 |
19 March 07 |
|
#2 Sulpher Superphosphate |
30 April 07 |
28 May 07 |
11 June 07 |
|
#3 Phosphate Rock |
30 July 07 |
20 August 07 |
3 September 07 |
#4 Superphosphate |
23 October 07 |
12 November 07 |
26 November 07 |
#1 Potassic
Superphosphate |
28 January 08 |
3 March 08 |
17 March 08 |
#2 Sulpher Superphosphate |
28 April 08 |
26 May 08 |
9 June 08 |
#3 Phosphate Rock |
28 July 08 |
18 August 08 |
1 September 08 |
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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