Relevance to producers of research into the genetic improvement of reproductive performance.

In recent years Animal Production Committee has established several panels and workshops to consider recommended breeding programmes for Australia% major livestock industries. Ensuing reports have listed improved reproductive performance as a major breeding goal, thus implying that selection can increase reproductive performance, to the benefit of the relevant industries. Both of these issues will be considered in this review. The major emphasis will be on improving sheep reproductive performance, mainly because the considerably greater body of information available on that species, much of it emanating from Australia.