729 Beef LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 Q2 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category III - Water and Feed Availability On January 20, 2025 starting at approximately 1PM I was in yards performing antemortem inspection. During antemortem inspection, I observed that two trailers unloaded cattle into holding pen 6. After finishing antemortem inspection, at approximately 1:42PM, I went to verify that the cattle in holding pen 6 had access to water. I observed that the water in the portion of the trough that provides water to cattle in holding pen 6 was completely frozen. There were 40 head of cattle in pen 6. No regulatory control action was taken as the establishment yards employee immediately used a shovel to break up and remove the ice from the water trough. The Plant Manager was verbally notified of the noncompliance. A review of recent records did not identify a recent noncompliance with a similar root cause and this NR will not be associated.

313.2

HATS Category II-Truck Unloading HATS Category III-Water and Feed Availability On 1/2/24 at 1536hrs while conducting HATS category III verification activities in the holding pens, IPP observed a large livestock trailer backed up at the unloading dock. IPP at this time observed that the trailer had cattle in it. IPP walked over to the driver and asked how long he had been waiting to unload the trailer while parked on official establishment premises. The driver informed IPP he had been waiting since 1400hrs to unload the cattle. No regulatory control action was taken as the driver immediately began to unload the cattle when IPP informed the driver that he could unload the cattle into any available open holding pen. No establishment personnel were present. The truck was being used as a holding pen for approximately 1.5 hours and no water was provided to the cattle while on official establishment premise. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(e). The establishment QA Manager was verbally notified of the forthcoming noncompliance. A review of recent records did not identify a similar noncompliance with the same root cause and this NR will not be associated. This establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock. The Denver District Veterinary Medical Specialist was notified through supervisory channels.