Producing the right number of pigs will optimize performance, but the number varies from barn to barn. Producing the maximum number of pigs possible is not always the most profitable strategy, as lighter nursery pigs are not desirable when feed costs are high. As well, the temperature and season will affect reproduction and weight gain, and numbers might need to be altered. Maintaining good herd health helps keep good growth and mortality rates, and can be achieved by strict biosecurity protocols and monitoring gilt and semen sources. A decision on what to do with a sick pig should be made quickly, and in some cases it might be more cost effective to destroy it rather than culling.