Biography of Diedrich (Dieter) Richard Osterhoff

Abstract

Biography of Dieter Osterhoff, animal scientist and geneticist. The biography includes information about his education and career, scientific contributions and writings, homages and distinctions. He established a blood group laboratory at Onderstepoort to study blood groups of cattle, sheep and horses, concentrating initially on cattle and providing a routine paternity determining service to the South African Studbook Association and the National Performance-testing Scheme for registration and performance testing purposes of young stud bulls. In due course this watchdog genetic service was extended to include local AI and embryo-transfer initiatives and given statutory status by its incorporation into the Livestock Improvement Act (Act No 25 of 1977).