Jay Laurence Lush

Jay Lawrence Lush (January 3, 1896 - 1982) was a pioneering animal genetist 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.

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.