Proc. Assoc. Advmnt. Anim. Breed. Genet. 19: 143-150 143 GENETIC FRONTIERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ‘CLEAN, GREEN AND ETHICAL’ MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE EXTENSIVE SHEEP INDUSTRY G.B. Martin 1 and J.C. Greeff 1, 2 1 UWA Institute of Agriculture M082, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. 2 Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia. SUMMARY In 2004, the concept of “clean, green and ethical (CGE)” management was presented with a view to helping producers to respond to developments in societal demands. The initial focus was on efficient reproduction in small ruminants in grazing systems, but subsequent versions have expanded to other animal production systems, all the while aiming to minimise drug use, minimise the environmental footprint, and maximise animal welfare. To date, much of our research has targeted the physiological, behavioural and managerial limitations to implementation of CGE management at flock or herd level. Here, we consider the role of genetics, particularly within the context of Merino sheep under extensive grazing. Our aim is to stimulate discussion and promote research in quantitative and molecular genetics as a means of finding solutions to major limitations in the CGE framework: 1) drug-free control of reproduction; 2) fecundity; 3) fertility; 4) colostrum production; 5) mother-young bonding; and 6) weaner mortality. These new directions in research expand the scope of the CGE concept in animal production and might help producers respond to the increasing intensity of demands for ‘clean and green’ food and fibre as well as high standards in animal welfare. Importantly, CGE management is low-cost and low-tech, so it is perfectly suited to extensively grazed sheep. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Changing attitudes in society, and therefore consumers, led to the development of the concept of ‘clean, green and ethical’ (CGE) animal production, in which we aim to limit the use of drugs, chemicals and hormones (clean), minimise environmental impact (green), and pay attention to ethics and animal welfare (ethical) in all links in the supply chain (Martin et al. 2004, 2009; Martin 2009; Bickell et al. 2010). The most obvious evidence of market demand for CGE production has been the growing popularity of ‘organic’ products. However, the CGE concept differs from the organic industry in that it offers a science-based framework that can help transfer innovations derived from research and development to mainstream animal production (Martin et al. 2004). The CGE concept began with sheep reproduction and the implementation of practices such as ‘focus feeding’ (short, precisely timed nutritional management) and natural and non-invasive methods for controlling the timing of the different stages of the reproductive cycle. Briefly, focus feeding is used to boost sperm production before mating, maximise potential litter size by increasing ovulation rate, maximise postnatal survival and development, and minimise non- productive periods caused by delays in puberty or post-partum fertility. The full implementation of focus feeding is only possible when we have precise control over the timing of reproductive events – for example, by using the ‘ram effect’ (‘teasing’). These concepts were then combined into a “CGE Management Package”, such as the one illustrated in Figure 1. The CGE principles can be applied to any type of animal production, including high-input intensive systems as practiced with dairy cattle (Kadokawa and Martin 2006; Martin et al. 2009) but, for the present paper, we will focus on low-input, extensively grazed sheep in Australia. To date, much of our research has targeted the physiological, behavioural and managerial limitations