Virginia A. Ishler
- Nutrient Management Specialist
- Dairy Complex Manager
343 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
University Park, PA 16802
Email:
vishler@psu.edu
Work Phone:
814-863-3912
Education
- M.S., Dairy Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University, 1984
- B.S., Dairy Science, Delaware Valley College, 1982
Focus and Interests
My appointment is split, 50% extension and outreach with a main emphasis in nutrient/feed management, dairy cattle nutrition, and risk management and 50% 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 over see the operation of the dairy barns. I do all the nutrition work as well as working with researchers.
Research
The majority of grant monies I receive are focused in the area of feed management and risk management. I am co-PI on several large grants focusing on nutrient management and the whole farm system, which includes precision feeding and profitability.
Extension Activities
Feed Management - program leader - develop educational programs and tools related to the certified feed management planners program.
http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/nutrient-management
Business Management - program leader - develop educational programs and tools related to income over feed costs and cash flow planning.
http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/business-management
http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/nutrient-management
Business Management - program leader - develop educational programs and tools related to income over feed costs and cash flow planning.
http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/business-management
Work Experience
- Extension specialist - 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.
