Ward Laboratories, Inc.

Ward Laboratories, Inc. is a full-service agricultural testing laboratory headquartered in Kearney, Nebraska, United States. Founded in June 1983 by Dr. Ray Ward and his wife Jolene Ward, the company began operations in a humble three-bay garage with a mission to help agricultural producers make informed, sustainable decisions through accurate analysis and conservative, science-based recommendations. Over more than four decades, Ward Laboratories has grown into a state-of-the-art facility exceeding 36,000 square feet, processing thousands of samples every week and serving clients across North America and more than 15 countries worldwide. The laboratory's core services span soil and soil health analysis, feed and NIRS analysis, plant tissue analysis, water analysis, fertilizer and lime analysis, and manure, slurry, compost, and wastewater analysis. Ward Laboratories positions itself not merely as a data provider but as a partner that delivers clarity and customized input recommendations, helping farmers, ranchers, brewers, and land stewards improve their bottom line and manage their land sustainably. The company has expanded its reach into specialized markets such as craft brewing and environmental remediation. Under the leadership of Dr. Nick Ward, who became President in 2014, Ward Laboratories continues to invest in advanced soil-health diagnostics and strategic partnerships. A notable example is its 2026 partnership with The Soil Inventory Project (TSIP), which integrated Ward's analytical expertise with TSIP's Fieldvision platform to offer a turnkey workflow for soil sampling campaigns, including support for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's CEMA 216 protocol used in the Regenerative Pilot Program. This collaboration reflects Ward Laboratories' ongoing commitment to innovation and its role as a trusted source of data and information for agricultural producers around the world.

Ward Laboratories was founded in June 1983 by Dr. Ray Ward and his wife Jolene Ward in Kearney, Nebraska. The company started in a three-bay garage with a clear mission: to help agricultural producers make informed, sustainable decisions by providing accurate analysis and conservative, science-based recommendations. In its early years, the laboratory focused primarily on soil testing, serving local farmers and ranchers. By 1989, the growing demand for its services led Ward Laboratories to move into a larger facility. Over the following decades, the company continuously expanded its service offerings beyond soil to include feed, water, plant tissue, manure/compost, and soil-health testing. This diversification allowed Ward Laboratories to become a full-service agricultural testing laboratory, processing thousands of samples every week. Its reputation for professionalism, excellence, and reliability attracted a growing clientele across North America and internationally, with clients in more than 15 countries. A significant leadership transition occurred in 2014 when Dr. Nick Ward became President of the company. Under his leadership, Ward Laboratories has continued to deepen its expertise and widen its impact. The company has invested in advanced soil-health diagnostics and expanded into new markets such as craft brewing and environmental remediation. It has also formed strategic partnerships, including a 2026 collaboration with The Soil Inventory Project (TSIP) to launch an integrated platform for soil sampling. Today, Ward Laboratories operates from a state-of-the-art facility exceeding 36,000 square feet in Kearney, Nebraska, and remains committed to its founding principle: providing quality analytical results so producers can decide with confidence.

• 2026

  Partnership with The Soil Inventory Project launched an integrated platform for soil sampling.

• 2014

  Dr. Nick Ward became President of Ward Laboratories.

• 1989

  Moved into a larger facility as services expanded beyond soil testing.

• 1983

  Ward Laboratories founded by Dr. Ray Ward and Jolene Ward in a three-bay garage in Kearney, Nebraska.

Small-town friendly with a global reputation for excellence and accuracy; a trusted source of data and information for producers across North America and around the world.

• Soil & Soil Health Analysis

  Comprehensive soil testing to assess nutrient levels and soil health for informed agricultural decisions.

• Feed & NIRS Analysis

  Feed analysis using near-infrared spectroscopy to evaluate nutritional content.

• Plant Analysis

  Plant tissue testing to diagnose nutrient deficiencies and guide fertilization.

• Water Analysis

  Water quality testing for agricultural and environmental applications.

• Fertilizer & Lime Analysis

  Analysis of fertilizer and lime products to ensure accurate application rates.

• Manure, Slurry, Compost & Wastewater Analysis

  Testing of organic amendments and wastewater for nutrient content and safety.

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