Introducing Doug Gisi

Doug is the new Herd Manager for the UC Davis Dairy Teaching and Research Facility. Doug started work this past February. Doug received his B.S. in Animal Science from UC Davis in 1981. After earning his undergraduate degree, Doug worked as a herd manager for a dairy in Oregon before returning to UC Davis to begin his M.S. graduate program in Animal Science. Doug's thesis project for his M.S. graduate program evaluated the benefits of milking cows three-times daily. Upon completion of his graduate program, Doug accepted a position as the Dairy & Forage Farm Advisor in Merced County. As a UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Doug developed educational programs to extend current information about dairy management and forage crop production to producers. He was involved in research trials evaluating forage crop variety and hybrid selection and agronomic practices on forage quality at harvest.

In 1988, Doug left cooperative extension to become the Dairy & Farm Manager for Areias Dairy Farms where he managed 1900 milking and dry cows plus replacements at two dairy facilities. In 1994 Doug established his own Management & Nutrition Consulting business in which he served as a nutritional professional and he managed a large dairy in the San Joaquin Valley. Prior to accepting the UC Davis Herd Manager position, Doug worked for LaFollette Enterprises, Inc., in Turlock. At UC Davis, Doug will be involved in the general management of the Dairy Facility. In addition, he will contribute to the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the Department, College, and University. Doug will have teaching responsibility for our ANS 49 course, Animal Management Practices, which is taught every quarter. He will supervise the Dairy related internships and provide support to the animal science classes using the dairy animals and facilities. He will also support teaching activities from other departments and colleges on Campus. Doug will be a resource support person for research activities and provide assistance when needed. Doug's outreach activities will include participating in the UC Davis Dairy Cattle Day program and attending industry meetings and functions. Doug's position is challenging because of the many facets involved in managing and operating a dairy facility associated with a college campus.

Doug comes to UC Davis with a great wealth of knowledge related to dairy cattle and experiences working with the dairy industry. The Department of Animal Science is pleased to welcome Doug Gisi to UC Davis.