Letters have gone out this week to participants of the BEEP-S scheme in relation to option two - meal feeding of calves pre- and post-weaning.

It is estimated that around 3% of participants will receive inspection letters. Those that have received letters have until 6 November to fill out the form and return it to the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise.

The Meal Record sheet that farmers who are being inspected need to complete and send back to the Department of Agriculture by 6 Novemeber.

Participants need to provide details of the date that meal feeding commenced, date of weaning and details of the meal used.

Receipts or invoices in relation to the purchase of meal will also need to be included and returned with the record form.

It is expected that inspection letters in relation to the other actions will be issued in the coming weeks.

There was some confusion during the week when the record sheets appeared on the Department website, as some farmers thought that all participants needed to complete the meal feeding record and vaccination record sheet where applicable.

However, it is only those that have received letters indicating that they need to do so that have to complete the form.