A high reproductive rate is essential to the success of most swine enterprises. When space in the nursery and growing-finishing facilities or farrowing crates are empty because of reproductive failure, the cost of that failure must be covered by those spaces that are occupied. Therefore, buildings must be occupied at 100% capacity for maximum return on investment. Producers should identify and incorporate a breeding herd program (involving both males and females) to consistently
achieve a conception rate, farrowing rate, and litter size that will ensure enough animals for all available space. This approach is especially important during times of low profit margins.

When choosing a mating system, producers should not base their choice strictly on the amount of time and labor that needs to be devoted to the system. Rather, each mating system should be evaluated in terms of what stands to be gained or lost in reproductive efficiency with the implementation of each
mating program. For many, the inherent problems associated with pen-mating and the long-term improvements in reproductive performance that are attainable make switching from a pen-mating system to an individual-mating system well worth the added time.