ASSOCIATION AF FAI RS

MEMORIAL GUSTAV BOHSTEDT

Gustav Bohstedt was born in Gnissau, Holstein, Germany, on June 22, 1887, and died on February 5, 1986, in Madison, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and two sons, Carl and James.

At the age of 15, he came with his parents to the United States. He experienced ranching in Texas and farming in Iowa for 6 yr before he completed high school at age 24 in Des Moines. In 1911 he entered the College of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin.

He chose the University of Wisconsin because he had been told it was the place to go for "a good scientific educat ion." His fascination with crew also drew him there. This was a sport in which he became preeminently successful, and it remained a major interest throughout his life.

Bohstedt was instructor and assistant pro- fessor at Wisconsin 1917 to 1921 and completed requirements for the Ph.D. degree in animal science at Wisconsin in 1925 while chief of the Department of Animal Industry at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1928, Bohstedt returned to his alma mater as professor in the Department of Animal Husbandry and later in both the Departments of Animal and Dairy Science. He became chairman of the Department of Animal Husbandry in 1943. He retired in 1957.

Bohstedt 's service to the University of Wisconsin helped strengthen the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences through his widely recognized contributions in research and teaching during his 60 years in the field of animal nutri t ion. His life spanned the ad- ministration of six deans of the college, who frequently sought his counsel. Few faculty members approach his record for number of students taught in a single course. He was a demanding but fair teacher of undergraduates. Many former students remember his course in feeds and feeding as one of the best they took at the University.

Bohstedt was one of the pioneers along with Morrison, Babcock, Hart, Steenbock, Phillips, and Elvehjem, who in those early days shaped the prestigious position animal nutri t ion research holds today in the College of Agri- cultural and Life Sciences. He recalled on many

occasions the delightful discussions he had with Babcock, the role model for the scientist he himself became. Bohstedt 's research, no matter how fundamental, was always focused on the needs of the American livestock industry. This concern for the industry extended to his recognition of the desirability of close co- operation among departments in trying to solve the varied problems of the indus- try.

As a pioneer in the field of animal nutri t ion, he became known for his many "firsts". In 1928, he began the first extensive work on the use of fibrous feed in rations of farm animals, which led to the use of farm by-products, otherwise discarded. Another first was his work with Professor E. B. Hart on urea as a protein substitute for dairy cattle. Fragmentary work had been done in Germany, but the Wisconsin team did the pioneering and thorough work that demonstrated the dependabil i ty of urea as a safe and economical substitute for protein in ruminants. Bohstedt 's extensive work with minerals and vitamins in rations of farm animals led to coauthoring a bulletin on mineral and vitamin requirements of pigs in 1927. In 1948, he was the first researcher to recommend publicly the use of trace mineralized salt for livestock - small wonder he subsequently became recognized as the "father of trace mineralized salt ." He coauthored numerous research reports on animal needs for iron, cobalt, and manganese.

His many research contributions did not go unnoticed by his peers. A 60-year member of the American Dairy Science Association, he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1976. The American Society of Animal Science presented him with the Morrison Award in 1949 for his accomplishments in animal nutri- t ion research, elected him president in 1925, and established the Gustav Bohstedt Trace Mineral Annual Award in his honor in 1960. In 1951, his portrait was hung in the Saddle and Sirloin Club galleries in Chicago with the portraits of other notables of the livestock industry.

Late in Bohstedt 's career he studied Spanish and Portugese, and his fluency in speaking four

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languages led to studying firsthand the needs of the livestock industry in seven South American countries. This at tracted many students to the University of Wisconsin.

Upon retirement, Bohstedt remained pro- fessionally active and came to his office regularly until age 95. During this t ime he donated t ime and funds to the development of the Bohstedt Library in the Animal Sciences Building. Another major contr ibution during his ret irement years was the development of a publication Early History of Animal Husbandry and Related Departments of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Bohstedt brought distinction and honor to his campus. He was the first and foremost person to put science into animal product ion in Wisconsin; he was a devoted Wisconsinite, always striving to improve animal science on

the campus and animal agriculture in the state. Very few who have served animal agri- culture have done it with greater distinction.

Bohstedt was a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club for many years and was actively involved, until later years, in many service programs. Photography was one of his avoca- tions. He was a perfectionist , and the quality of his photographs of scenery and people in the countries he visited were thoroughly enjoyed by many of his colleagues and friends. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, which he at tended regularly. Bohstedt was a very in- telligent, warm, and kind person with great concern for his colleagues and wide circle of friends, whom the Bohstedts hosted most graciously at their frequent parties. He was a wonderful gentleman and will long be re- membered.

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 69, No. 5, 1986