Elstner Meat Processing LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 Q4 (USDA)

313.2

HAT Category III: Water and Feed Availability 9 CFR 313.2 ( e ) On September 12, 2025, while conducting a humane handling verification task of water and feed availability at M2985, CSI REDACTED observed approximately ten hogs in Pen #1. The hogs did not have access to any water for approximately one hour. Plant Owner REDACTED and Co-Manager REDACTED were both notified at approximately 12:30 p.m. of the non-compliance in violation of regulation 9 CFR 313.2 ( e ). Water was immediately made available. The plant does not have a written robust systematic approach program for humane handling.

313.16(a)(1)

Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) On September 5, 2025, at approximately 3:48 p.m., while conducting a humane handling verification task of effective stun at establishment M2985, CSI REDACTED observed an employee use a gun to stun a hog. The first shot failed to render the hog into a state of complete unconsciousness. The hog continued to vocalize and move all four limbs aggressively seemingly in an attempt to stand up while defecating. The employee administered an immediate second shot to the animal and the second shot rendered the hog unconscious. Plant Co-Plant Owners REDACTED and REDACTED were both notified of the non-compliance in violation of regulation 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1). The plant does not have a written robust systematic approach program for humane handling.

313.1

HAT Category IV - Ante-mortem Inspection 9 CFR 313 On August 4, 2025, at approximately 2:07 p.m., while walking past the holding pens, CSI REDACTED observed all five pens flooded. This was seemingly due to heavy rain and the drains failing to properly convey rainwater from the pens. Pen #4 held one pig and pen #5 held three pigs. The brown flooded water covered approximately 75% of the flooring in the pens making contact with all the pigs. Additionally pen #4 had one loose pipe approximately 7ft in length on the floor of the pen and approximately 1 ft. of another loose pipe laying in the pen. Both pipes pose potential tripping hazards for livestock. Plant Owner REDACTED and Plant Co-Manager REDACTED were both notified of the non-compliance in violation of 9 CFR 313.1(a). It is important to note, the establishment was last notified of this concern via NR#KJT0510053728N on 5/28/25. U.S. Reject Tag # B45356892 was placed on the pens until they are brought back into compliance. The plant does not have a written robust systematic approach program for humane handling.

313.1

HAT Category VII: Slips and Falls 9 CFR 313.1(b). On July 9, 2025, at approximately 8:04 a.m., while conducting ante-mortem on a federally inspected bull, CSI REDACTED observed the establishment unload it into the pens. The bull had an injured back leg and founder hooves. The trailer was approximately 8 inches below the waffle grated ramp used for unloading, causing the bull to step up to get off the trailer. As the bull stepped off the trailer it slipped and fell down the ramp with the two back legs contacting the ground. The bull stood up and proceeded to walk the rest of the way down the middle aisle of the pens, it then slipped and fell on all fours while attempting to walk up the ramp to the knock box. The flooring in the pens were covered in feces and the waffle grate in middle aisle only covered a small area. The immediate concrete area where the bull's back legs slipped did not have the waffle grate and was covered in fecal. Plant Owner REDACTED was notified of the non-compliance. The establishment has been notified on numerous occasions of this concern. The most recent notification was on 5/23/25 via NR #KJT1109050423N. The establishment has failed to prevent recurrence. The plant does not have a written robust systematic approach program for humane handling.