Intermountain Packing, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 Q2 (USDA)

313.1

HATS Category II – Truck Unloading HATS category VII – Slips and Falls On March 24, 2025, at approximately 0920 hours at Intermountain Packing. Est. M47547 the CSI was observing humane handling at the establishment's unloading dock. During truck unloading, the CSI observed one cow slip on its front legs resulting in the animal’s front legs, between the hoof and the knee, contacting the waffled concrete ramp. The cow then fell on its back legs when contacting the waffled concrete ramp and the animal landed on its’ stomach on the waffled concrete ramp. The cow was able to regain its footing and continue down the ramp. The sloped unloading dock was not covered with manure or snow/ice. This trailer load of cattle trotted off of the livestock trailer, at faster than a normal walking speed, without coaxing. An establishment team member was present to observe the trip and fall and was verbally informed that a written noncompliance report would be issued. Immediately after the incident the Plant Manager and the Establishment Administrator both came to the unloading dock and observed the situation. The District Veterinary Medical Specialist was contacted through supervisory channels. A review of the establishment noncompliance history did not reveal a similar NR written in the past 90 days for same root cause. This establishment does not operate under a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock. The establishment has proffered removing any potential trip hazard. The establishment is going to adjust the plastic along the pens, so no reflection is seen by the cattle from the cattle pen's drainage tank. The establishment is working on ordering some tire mats for the ramps and removing/filing down the metal rails where the cattle are being unloaded.

313.1

. HATS Category II – Truck Unloading HATS category VII – Slips and Falls On March 20, 2025, at approximately 0658 hours at Intermountain Packing. Est. M47547 the CSI was observing humane handling at the establishment's unloading dock. The CSI observed one cow slip on its back legs resulting in the back legs contacting the waffled concrete ramp. The cow was able to regain its footing and continue down the ramp. The CSI took a regulatory control action and rejected the ramp with US Rejected tag No. B-46631071. The sloped unloading dock was mostly covered with manure and snow. Establishment team member was present to observe the conditions and was verbally informed that a written noncompliance report would be issued. The District Veterinary Medical Specialist was contacted through supervisory channels. A review of the establishment noncompliance history did not reveal a similar NR written in the past 90 days for same root cause. Upon request of management, the CSI observed the loading dock at approximately 0905 hours and found it to still be unacceptable. The establishment had spread wood chips on top of the manure. The ramp had not been thoroughly cleaned so the slip hazard had not been addressed. This establishment does not operate under a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock.