By using a lighting programme with an 18 h long daily photoperiod for 2 to 2.5 months starting in winter (December to January) and 11 h short daily photoperiod from spring (March) to autumn, the breeding season of Greylag geese in Guangdong Province, China was successfully altered to achieve out-of-season lay in the natural non-breeding seasons in the spring and summer months. Application of such out-of-season laying technique on gosling production, resulted in economic benefits of earnings 5 to 6 times higher than conventional production, and doubled profits of commercial goose meat production using out-of-season management programmes compared with using conventionally produced goslings. In addition, using the out of season laying technique balanced the whole year's geese production, goose meat consumption and also stimulated market growth. Development and application of the out-of-season laying technique, together with the resultant economic benefits, lead to modernization and sustainable development of the goose industry in Guangdong Province, as represented by growth of farm or flock sizes, a decrease in farm numbers and the use of modern nutrition, disease prevention and breeding programmes.