Centramax is a productivity tool for situations where an internal parasite challenge or mineral deficiencies of selenium and cobalt are limiting animal performance.

Centramax is an intra-ruminal bolus containing 11 tablets, each with the anthelmintics abamectin and albendazole, mineralised with selenium and cobalt. Once in the rumen of the sheep, these tablets dissolve providing up to 100 days of parasite control. They remove the resident parasite burden and prevent the establishment of new infection, helping improve appetite and reducing inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract.

The trace minerals selenium and cobalt supplement both the ewe and lamb. The most common use of Centramax is to improve ewe and lamb weights at weaning, resulting in more prime lambs sold at weaning and reducing post-weaning feed demands in the ewe. This is likely to be more significant when used in young sheep that are more prone to the production limiting effects of an internal parasite challenge and in situations where higher larval challenge is expected.

The bolus has a modified shape to improve ease of administration. Previously a strip of thin cardboard had been used to hold the wings against the body of the bolus until it had been administered. This has been replaced by a tape with water soluble glue which releases the wings, allowing them to spread out from the bolus body to prevent regurgitation. Field studies this autumn have proven the modifications to be successful, ensuring trouble-free bolus administration using conveyor belts and administration in the yards, and excellent retention rates.¹

The use of any anthelmintic can increase the chance of worms developing the ability to resistant the effectiveness of the product. Maintaining some refugia is important when using products that have persistent activity to help slow down this resistance. This can be achieved by having untreated sheep in each mob. Exit drenching with an effective combination drench at the end of the persistent activity period (100 days after administration) removes any resident resistant worms. Discuss these concepts with your parasite advisor to ensure the continued effective use of these productivity enhancing tools.

Centramax is available in packs of 100 for sheep at 40 to 80 kg liveweight. The meat WHP for the ewe is 128 days but there is no WHP for the lambs of treated ewes.

For more advice on effective parasite management, talk to your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative.

Article sponsored by Nexan/Agritrade