Our herd programs emphasize prevention as the primary focus. We attempt to help clients control those factors that are important to insuring a healthy, "ready to eat" "ready to milk" postpartum cow. While this is not the topic of this brief talk I wanted to be clear that we believe that prevention is the goal. We are convinced that it is almost impossible to recover lost efficiency due to significant postpartum metritis. Sending the cow to the dry pen in the correct body condition, a properly managed dry cow period, and attention to detail during the immediate pre-partum period are imperative to success.