Services and Fees

Routine diagnoses at the Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory are free for Montana residents. There is a fee for out of state submissions ($50). Due to sample volume, out of state submissions will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us before sending an out of state sample. 

The Schutter Diagnostic Lab offers a number of advanced tests. Information about each service is listed below, along with their processing fees.

We process hemp samples (Montana Department of Agriculture license required). We do not process any marijuana samples or photos. The Office of Legal Counsel at Montana State University says the following: “Because we receive federal funding we cannot do any work with medical or recreational cannabis."

If you are uncertain which testing is needed, please contact us for more information.

Lab Services

1. Routine Diagnosis
2. ELISA Test
3. Culturing
4. Lateral Flow Tests
5. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
6. DON-Mycotoxin Testing
7. Phytosanitary Testing
8. Payment Options
9. Contact Information

Summary

Below is a quick-reference table for the tests detailed on this page. The table consists of 3 columns, the first contains service types; the following two provide in-state, then out of state pricing.

• *Multiple samples will be charged at a rate of $20 per sample that exceeds ten per year for individual clients or companies. Samples from inside the home will be charged $20 per sample after three per home per year. 
• **If Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus is suspected, please submit at least four symptomatic tillers for ELISA testing.
• ***Due to sample volume, out of state samples will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us prior to sending.

Routine Diagnosis

Includes a visual inspection of a sample and may include moist chamber incubation and microscopy.

• Free for Montana residents (maximum 3 samples/submission). $50.00 for out of state submissions (payment options).
• Multiple samples will be charged at a rate of $20 per sample that exceeds 10 per year for individual clients or companies. 

ELISA Test

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that uses antibodies and color change to detect specific organisms. In the Schutter Diagnostic Lab, we use ELISA mainly for the detection of wheat streak mosaic virus. While the test is very sensitive, it is time-consuming and will take days until results are available.

• The ELISA test also includes routine diagnosis.
• $60 for Montana residents, $110 for out of state submissions (payment options).

If Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus is suspected, please submit at least four symptomatic tillers for ELISA testing.

Culturing

The isolation of a pathogen by transferring the affected plant tissue onto selective agar plates, followed by incubation. Culturing also includes a routine diagnosis.

• $50 for Montana residents, $100 for out of state submissions (payment options).

Lateral Flow Tests

Plant disease diagnostic tests for the rapid detection of pathogens. Test kits that the Schutter Diagnostic Lab has routinely available are:

• Fungi:  Phytophthora sp.

• Viruses:  Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV), and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).

• Bacteria:  Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (CMM) and Erwinia amylovora (Ea).

• $10 for Montana residents, $60 for out of state submissions (payment options).

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Used to detect pathogens by amplifying the specific DNA of organisms. The Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory uses PCR mainly for the detection of wheat streak mosaic virus.

• PCR testing also includes routine diagnosis.
• $120 for Montana residents, $170 for out of state submissions (payment options).

DON-Mycotoxin Testing

Deoxynivalenol or DON, is a common mycotoxin that can contaminate a variety of grains including, wheat, oats, and barley.  The Schutter Diagnostic Lab uses lateral flow tests to check for mycotoxin levels.

• $10 for Montana residents, $60 for out of state submissions (payment options).

Phytosanitary Testing

The Schutter Diagnostic Lab offers phytosanitary diagnostic services for plants and seed.

• $60 for Montana residents, $110 for out of state submissions (payment options).

Payment

We accept payment in the form of credit, debit, or check.

Instructions for Payment by Check

• Make payable to MSU-Schutter Diagnostic Lab.
• Enter the amount using all numbers ($###.##).
• Make sure your check includes the following information:
  • Name and address.
  • Daytime phone number.
• Mail payments to the address listed below.

Contact Information

Send all samples to the mailing address below. For further assistance, please contact the Schutter Diagnostic Lab by telephone or email.

We are open for walk-in clients from 9:00AM to 12:00PM, Monday through Friday (COVID-19 restrictions apply).

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