Jay Lush

Jay Lawrence Lush (January 3, 1896 - 1982) was a pioneering animal geneticist who made important contributions to livestock breeding. He is sometimes known as the father of modern scientific animal breeding. Lush received National Medal of Science in 1968 and the Wolf Prize in 1979.

Lush advocated breeding not based on subjective appearance of the animal, but on quantitative statistics and genetic information. Lush authored a classic book 'Animal Breeding Plans' in 1937 which greatly influenced animal breeding around the world.

From 1930 to 1966, Lush was a professor of animal science at what is now Iowa State University. He was named distinguished professor of agriculture in 1958 and was a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

References

• J. L. Lush 1896 - 1982 Biographical Memoirs of the AAAS
• 1979 Wolf Prize citation