Pre-harvest testing
A harvest decision made on a potency number three weeks old is a guess. Pre-harvest panels track total THC and cannabinoid development as the crop finishes, and screen for the residues that would fail a finished-product test after the work of harvesting is already done.
- Price
- Quoted
- Turnaround
- 3–5 business days
- Family
- Programme
- Agilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC
- Agilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole
- Moisture balance
Purchased new through authorised channels, performance-qualified by certified engineers, and the instrument ID prints on every certificate. View the bench.
What the panel measures
| Test | Method | Instrument | Reports as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total THC trend | MethodHPLC-UV with moisture correction | InstrumentAgilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC | Reports as% dry weight, plotted across pulls |
| Cannabinoid development | MethodHPLC-UV, 16 cannabinoids | InstrumentAgilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC | Reports as% w/w per pull date |
| Pesticide screen | MethodLC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS | InstrumentAgilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole | Reports asppb per analyte |
| Plant growth regulators | MethodLC-MS/MS | InstrumentAgilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole | Reports asppb: paclobutrazol, daminozide and others |
| Moisture | MethodLoss on drying | InstrumentMoisture balance | Reports as% for the dry-weight basis |
| Field collection | MethodDocumented sampling plan, chain of custody | InstrumentCollected and photographed on site | Reports asSampling record with the certificate |
Sample requirements and shipping
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Plant material | RequirementTop 20 cm of the flowering portion, 8 plants per lot, paper bag |
| Sampling plan | RequirementTell us the lot size and we write the plan, or follow your own and we record it |
| Cadence | RequirementWeekly pulls in the final three weeks is the usual pattern |
| Condition | RequirementPaper, not plastic, and ship same day. Sealed wet material moulds in transit and the result is worthless. |
Order first, then ship. A prepaid label is emailed when payment lands, and the carrier scan on that label opens your chain of custody. We accept no walk-in drop-off, and we hold no DEA registration, so no Schedule I to V material.
Why the method matters
Total THC climbs fastest in the last fortnight, which is exactly the period where a stale number costs a crop. Weekly pulls cost less than a single non-compliant harvest, and the trend line tells you more than any one reading.
Screening for residues before you cut is a financial decision. A pesticide finding on standing plants is a problem with options; the same finding on processed biomass is a loss.
What comes back
A public certificate
Every result, the method, the instrument ID, the LOD and LOQ and the signature, verifiable by accession number with no login.
The filmed route
Your package opened on camera, a photograph of each container, and the footage retained for three years. Released to you on request.
A retained sample
Held 90 days, so any result can be rechecked by us or by an accredited laboratory of your choosing.
Questions about pre-harvest testing
Is this a USDA or state regulatory sample?
No. Regulatory pre-harvest sampling must be done by an approved sampling agent and analysed by a designated laboratory. Our work supports your own harvest decisions and your internal quality record.
How fast are pre-harvest results?
3–5 business days as standard, and we prioritise pre-harvest work during harvest season. Expedited at 48 hours is available when a window is closing.
Can you collect the samples?
Yes within the greater Houston area, with a documented sampling plan and chain of custody. Outside that radius we write the plan and you collect to it.
How many plants should I sample?
Eight per homogeneous lot is a reasonable default. Larger or more variable fields need more, and we will say so rather than take your money for a sample that does not represent the crop.
Submit a sample
Order in the builder, pay, and a prepaid label is emailed to you. The certificate publishes to the database the moment it is signed.