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Virginia A. Ishler
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Virginia A. Ishler

  • Nutrient Management Specialist
  • Dairy Complex Manager
343 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park , PA 16802
E-mail:

Office Phone: (814) 863-3912

Education

  1. M.S., Dairy Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University, 1984
  2. B.S., Dairy Science, Delaware Valley College, 1982

Focus and Interests

My appointment is split, 55% extension and outreach with a main emphasis in nutrient management and dairy cattle nutrition and 45% managing the Dairy Production Research and Teaching Center. My responsibilities encompass developing educational materials and conducting workshops and conferences for producers and agricultural professionals. I also assist in troubleshooting problems out in the field. I provide instruction in resident education computer classes. I developed the nutrient management Web site http://nutrient.psu.edu

I over see the operation of the dairy barns. I do all the nutrition work as well as working with researchers.

 

Research

In the last few years I have had the opportunity to get involved in research projects with Dr. Gabriella Varga. I have a strong interest in dry cow nutrition with a focus on carbohydrates.

 

Extension Activities

The extension programs that I am involved with include: Dairy and Livestock NEEDs - Nutrient and Environmental Educational Days

Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop for Ag Professionals Forage workshops

  • Computer classes
  • Feeder schools
  • Continuing education for veterinarians
  • Inservice training for county agents
  • I author many of the dairy extension fact sheets that are found on the TEAM DAIRY site: http://www.das.psu.edu/teamdairy
  • I assist in developing Excel spreadsheets related to feeding management.
  • I develop the standing operating producures being used at the Penn State Dairy Center.

Work Experience

  • Extension Program Assistant - Penn State University - 1988 - present
  • Dairy Cattle Nutritionist - Brown's Feed Company, Utica, NY - 1986-1987
  • Dairy Cattle Nutritionist - The Penn State NIR Forage Testing Van - 1985
  • Research Assistant - Penn State University - 1982-1984

 

Publications

Department of Dairy and Animal Science (DAS) Fact Sheets

  • Sources of food processing wastes, hay and feed ingredients, DAS 00-14
  • Evaluating forage quality by visual appraisal, pH and dry matter, DAS 00-7
  • Soybeans and soybean byproducts for dairy cattle, DAS 00-3
  • Monitoring dry matter intake, milk production and milk margin, DAS 00-2
  • Animal diagnostic, forage and feed testing laboratories in the northeast, DAS 99-18
  • Drought-related issues in dairy cattle nutrition, DAS 99-5
  • Trouble-shooting problems with milkfat depression, DAS 99-2
  • Trouble-shooting problems with low milk production, DAS 98-16
  • Therapeutic nutrition for dairy cattle, DAS 98-15
  • Feeding during shortages of homegrown feeds, DAS 97-17
  • Trouble-shooting milk fever and downer cow problems, DAS 96-27
  • Reducing heat stress on dairy cows, DAS 96-4
  • Use of total mixed rations for dairy cows, DAS 94-25
  • Concentrates for dairy cattle, DAS 94-6
  • Mold and mycotoxin problems in livestock feeding, DAS 93-21

Extension Circulars

  • Dairy Farm Feed Cost Control, 1999
  • Feeding and Managing Dry Cows, 1996
  • From Feed to Milk: Understanding Rumen Function, 1995
  • Harvesting and Utilizing Silage, 1994
  • Body Condition Scoring as a Tool for Dairy Herd Management, 1989

Natural Resources, Agricultural and Engineering Services

  • Penn State Dairy Reference Manual, Third Edition, 1995

Department of Ag Economics and Rural Sociology

  • Budgets for corn grain and corn silage, 1999
  • Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Heifer Replacement Production, 1994 (being updated)
  • Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Goat Production, 1994

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

  • Forage quality testing: Why? How? Where?, 1995

Department of Veterinary Science

  • Prevention and control of foot problems in dairy cows, DAS 99-20
  • Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management, DAS 94-21

Peer-reviewed publications

  • Keys to developing an effective dairy satellite extension program, 1996, J. Dairy Sci.
  • The use of fiber concentrations for ration formulations, 1998, J. Dairy Sci.