Melissa Elischer
Melissa Elischer is an Academic Specialist in the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University (MSU). In this role, she teaches animal behavior, animal ethics, and introductory dairy science courses.
Prior to joining the Department of Animal Science, Melissa was with MSU Extension as the statewide 4-H Dairy Educator for ten years. She obtained her Master of Science at MSU in Animal Science with a thesis titled Characterizing the health and welfare of periparturient dairy cows in a pasture-based automatic milking system. Melissa's undergraduate degrees were obtained from Purdue University: a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, with a concentration in Animal Care and Well-being and minors in Biology and Philosophy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design and Technology, with a concentration on Lighting D&T with a minor in Women's Studies.
Classes taught
ANS 134: Dairy Production 1
ANS 305: Applied Animal Behavior
ANS 305L: Applied Animal Behavior Laboratory
ANS 401: Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture
ANS 805: Animal Welfare Assessment
Education Abroad: Produzioni Animali: Exploring Animal Production in Italy
Awards
2023 MSU Extension Excellence in Teaching Award
2022 MSU Extension Institute Team Award: Children and Youth Institute Michigan 4-H Animal Science Skillathon Team
2022 MSU Extension Institute Team Award: Children and Youth Institute LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Team
2022 Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff (MAE4-HYS) Excellence in Peer Professional Development Award
2021 MSU Extension Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Impact Award
2016 Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff (MAE4-HYS) Presidential Citation
Publications
Journal Publications
Elischer, M.F., L.M. Sordillo, J.M. Siegford, and E.L. Karcher. 2015. Short communication: Characterizing metabolic and oxidant status of pastured dairy cows postpartum in an automatic milking system. Journal of Dairy Science. 98, pp. 7083-7089. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8941
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-8399
The effects of different flooring types on the behavior, health, and welfare of finishing beef steers. Journal of Animal Science. 93, pp. 1258–1266. doi:Elischer, M.F., M.E. Areco, E.L. Karcher, and J.M. Siegford. 2013. Validating the accuracy of activity and rumination monitor data from dairy cows housed in a pasture-based automatic milking system. Journal of Dairy Science. 96, pp. 6412-6422. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6790
Selected MSU Extension Publications
Animal welfare at the fair: Thermoregulation and thermoneutral zone (2021)
Animal welfare at the fair: Heat stress (2021)
Animal welfare at the fair: Water consumption (2021)
Animal welfare for youth: Part 1 - What is animal welfare? (2020)
The Five Freedoms: A history lesson in animal care and welfare (2019)
History of dairy cow breeds: Jersey (2016)
History of dairy cow breeds: Brown Swiss (2016)
Animal adaptations for winter (2015)
History of dairy cow breeds: Holstein (2014)
Related Work
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The science behind animal handling
Published on March 28, 2024
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Dairy Spotlight: Melissa Elischer
Published on October 2, 2023
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2023 Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days in review
Published on August 16, 2023
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Elischer and Nelson to receive inaugural MSU Extension Excellence in Teaching Awards
Published on April 14, 2023
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Creating Welcoming Environments: The Importance of Inclusivity
Published on March 8, 2023
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Creating Welcoming Environments: Inclusive Communication
Published on March 8, 2023
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Michigan 4-H members and alumni shine at national dairy cattle judging contests
Published on December 15, 2022
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Michigan youth win the 2022 North American 4-H Dairy Educational Experience Scenario Contest
Published on December 1, 2022
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Michigan 4-H team places third at the 2022 National Junior Dairy Management Contest
Published on November 21, 2022