The effect of mixed or sequential grazing of cattle and sheep on the faecal egg counts and growth rates of weaned lambs when treated with anthelmintics.

An experiment was conducted over two successive years (2002 and 2003) to investigate the effects of grazing improved permanent pasture (mainly perennial ryegrass/white clover) by cattle or sheep, either sequentially or mixed, on the faecal egg counts and growth rates of weaned lambs when treated with anthelmintics. The grazing season was divided into two parts, May-July then July-October, relating to the pre- and post-weaning of the lambs. Four grazing regimes, replicated three times, were compared: (1) sheep only from May to October (SS); (2) cattle May to July followed by lambs until October (C/S); (3) cattle and sheep May to July followed by lambs until October (C+S/S); and (4) cattle and sheep May to July followed by cattle and lambs until October (C+S/C+S). Sward height was maintained at 6 cm using a "put and take" stocking system. At weaning, lambs were weighed and treated with an anthelmintic (0.08% ivermectin drench, Oramec) before being allocated to plots. They were then weighed and drenched every 28 days until the end of the experiment (Day 84). Faecal egg counts (FEC) were measured in all lambs immediately prior to each anthelmintic treatment. In 2002 and 2003, there were differences between the groups in FEC, with the SS lambs having the highest values and C/S lambs the lowest (P<0.01). There were also differences in the rate of liveweight gain of the lambs in each of the study years: for this parameter SS lambs had the lowest growth rate but the fastest growth was in C+S/C+S lambs not C/S lambs (P<0.01), indicating that these differences were due to factors other than parasite infection. Overall, sequential grazing of pastures with cattle then sheep reduced the faecal egg counts in lambs regularly treated with anthelmintics when compared with lambs grazing in mixed systems with cattle and sheep or with sheep only systems, however, the highest growth rates were observed in lambs in the mixed cattle/sheep grazing system throughout.

Can nurses learn to let go? issues arising from an intervention designed to improve patients' involvement in their own care.

The aim of the paper was to explore the reasons behind a perplexing observation that an intervention designed to alter professional behaviour in general practice consultations in South Wales was poorly sustained despite initial enthusiasm among the nurses. Nurses' baseline and continuing responses to the new approach with patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes are described, drawing on observations and interviews with the 18 practice nurses in the 15 experimental practices. The nurses fell into two groups: those showing greater understanding of the principles underlying the approach and a more reflective attitude to their work; and those who adapted the simple technology provided to their usual consultation style. This variation was related to their perception of their role and their attitudes to diabetic care, especially the challenge posed by the 'difficult patient'. They were noticeably less willing to allow the patient freedom to decide what to do once diabetic control was deteriorating according to biochemical measures. It is concluded that the failure of the nurses to sustain behaviour change over time stems from a basic dilemma, namely, what is the extent of my responsibility and how ought I to discharge it? There is scope for more research into professional perspectives on chronic care, the strategies they use to manage patients and to cope with their own feelings, and the implications of these strategies for patients.