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North Border Analytics opened late June at its new facility on the north side of Chinook. The business performs testing and assessment for soil, water, forage and grain samples. Dr. Brian Grebliunas, the owner, says the local lab will perform testing on site and "allow users quicker test results to make timely business decisions." North Border Analytics is located at 1301 Montana Street.

New owner earned doctorate in Biological Sciences

Dr. Brian Grebliunas grew up outside Joliet, Illinois. The son and grandson of dentists, he said, "I first started college thinking about a career in medicine." He attended St. Norbert College in Wisconsin, a small liberal arts college with a reputation for preparing its graduates for medical, dental and veterinary school. Grebliunas said, "Early on I became interested in research about fisheries and water quality. These topics also dovetailed with my passion for hunting waterfowl."

After graduating he worked for about a year and a half for Nalco as a microbiologist. In the lab he cultured water bacteria to monitor for the presence of bacteria that can cause Legionnaire's Disease in certain age groups and immunocompromised individuals. He said, "That lab work with water issues helped me choose a future course of study in water management and agriculture."

At Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal he earned Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Biological Sciences. Hoping to make himself marketable he explained, "I did ag soil and water chemistry research that collaborated with four academic departments at ISU. That taught me a variety of approaches to solve problems in agriculture."

After completing his doctorate, he took a teaching/research position at Aaniiih Nakoda College at Fort Belknap. He's lived in Chinook for the past five years. He chose a small college where he could "more directly interact with the students and help them individually with their research interests." He left the college at the end of last fall quarter to focus on finalizing loans and preparing the laboratory for his business.

Grebliunas started thinking about starting a testing business more than two years ago. He liked this area for a lab because "the Milk River Valley and the region have a large number of forage producers as well as grain and livestock operations. All these could benefit from more access to ag testing. Testing helps ag operators quantify changes in production and connect the outcomes they see. About 25% of ag operators nationally use some lab testing. As ag profit margins narrow more reliance on data is creating a need for more testing resources. While normally only a small part of the overall cost of an ag operation, lab analysis can have major payback in terms of profitability.

Per the new lab owner, his biggest hurdle for starting the business was, "putting together a proposal to lenders for start-up funding. I knew what was needed to start and operate a lab but not the process for starting a business." Todd Hanson, a friend who does business consulting, helped him navigate through the start-up process. Grebliunas also shared his business idea with local farmers and ranchers. He found they had issues with out of state labs where accessibility could be difficult and long wait times for test results were common. He concluded that providing a local lab would reduce barriers that might hinder ag operators from testing.

North Border Analytics is a full service ag testing lab

Dr. Grebliunas said, "At the lab I can test water, soil, forages and grains. I can pick up samples or an operator can bring their sample to the lab. I run the lab tests and report directly to the customer." He explained that quick test results can often lead to a timely solution to a problem. "An out of state lab," he noted, "may take from seven to 10 days to get results. I can provide most results in 48-72 hours." He gave an example that water quality for livestock may decline in very hot weather. Getting quick test results can determine if the water is a problem and allow for a quicker solution.

North Border Analytics lab owner, Dr. Brian Grebliunas, shows the container where soil samples are collected using this soil probe mounted on a side-by-side. The probe can sample in frozen ground, allowing operators to receive soil data before the 'spring rush.' The side-by-side-mounted probe allows for sampling in hard to access locations and with reduced damage to crops or ag lands.

The new owner demonstrated a soil probe that he feels will help avoid some of the crunch of soil testing during the "spring rush" when soil sampling is in big demand. This soil probe, mounted on a side-by-side, will take samples in frozen soil and get results during winter. The mobility of the probe means it can be used where access is difficult or crop damage needs to be minimized. Grebliunas said North Border Analytics' sampling charges are price competitive with the national labs. He explained, "My charge per sample includes preparation of the sample, testing, consultation about the results and data management."

Asked about the effects of the pandemic on his start-up he believes, "I lost about six to eight weeks, mostly from delayed deliveries of equipment and some lag time as lenders dealt with government programs to relieve the economic impacts of COVID-19." Early on he had to turn down business but now has all the equipment he needs. Grebliunas is hoping by spring to hire a fulltime assistant who will do field work. New testing services will be added "as needs are identified by my customers."

North Border Analytics will provide assessments for both large and small projects. Grebliunas said, "I can do a single soil test for a home gardener or help a farmer test multiple fields. I'll test one well or a large body of water or stream for toxins or other issues. You can bring your sample to me or I'll come take the sample for you."

Learn more about North Border Analytics' services and contacts at its website: northborderanalytics.com. Available for business seven days a week, Dr. Brian Grebliunas can be reached by cell phone at 406-344-0001.