Ashton Farms Custom Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Ashton Farms Custom Meats slaughterhouse establishment in 2021.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2021.
313.16(a)(1)
During Ashton Farms Custom Meats (M48181) slaughter on 4/22/2021 at approximately 9:03 am on the 10th beef of the day, I observed the following non-compliance for stunning effectiveness. Myself, CSI REDACTED and PHV Dr. REDACTED DVM were both present during the ineffective stunning event. The beef steer was restless in the stun box and the employee who was experienced at performing stunning waited about 2 minutes for a good stun with a 22-magnum bolt action rifle. I observed the animal raise its head as the stun operator went to apply the first stun attempt. Following the first stun attempt, I observed the animal remained conscious and standing. There was no vocalization, and the animal was did not appear agitated. I observed the stun employee rapidly reload the rifle and stun the beef a second time within about 30 seconds. I observed the animal to be completely insensible at this point. After the head was skinned, CSI REDACTED observed that the first knock penetrating stun hole was between the eyes about 1.5 inches lower than the second effective stun hole. I verbally notified the slaughter floor manager, REDACTED, of the non-compliance for 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1), improper stunning procedure. I took no regulatory control action as I observed immediate and effective corrective actions. There has not been any similar non-compliance for the past 90 days. Dr. REDACTED and CSI REDACTED observed the rest of the slaughter of beef without any further incidences
