CS Beef Packers, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 Q4 (USDA)

313.1

On 08/14/2025 at approximately 0608 hours while performing the livestock humane handling verification task I, the SPHV, observed the following noncompliance: A group of cows were being moved back to pen 5 after being shown for antemortem inspection. A fat heifer from the group had gotten her head trapped between the two lower bars on the gate panel in the alley. The heifer did not show signs of distress or injury. Establishment employees attempted to free the heifer’s head and were unsuccessful. Due to this, establishment personnel elected to apply a stun attempt to the heifer in the alley using a hand-held captive bolt device (HHCB). The stun attempt was effective. No regulatory control action was taken due to the observed immediate and effective corrective actions. This finding is in noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.1. Unnecessary openings where the head, feet, or legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired. There have been repeated incidents of cattle getting their heads trapped in these two lower bars on gate panels (MOI KJN3409103724G, MOI KJN3716021120G, NR KJN1910044324N). The Denver District Management Team was contacted through supervisory channels. There have been no noncompliance reports issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days. This establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to livestock humane handling and slaughter.