Missouri Prime Beef Packers LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On April 26, 2021 at 0708 hours while performing HATS Category VIII –Stunning Effectiveness, I observed the following noncompliance: The second steer of the day was presented into the stunning box at M47366. The steer was adequately restrained without excitement. The first and second knocks were applied in rapid succession without replacement or adjustment on the head of the steer for the second knock. Both knocks entered what appeared to be the same hole location without blood or brain material present on the head of the steer. The steer began vocalizing immediately after the first knock. The stun box operator applied a third knock using a handheld captive bolt device and the steer ceased vocalizations and the animal was dumped out of the stun box. The steer exhibited seizure like and tongue curling activities. The stun box operator entered the pit area and applied a fourth knock using the handheld captive bolt device at 0710 hours rendering the steer unconscious. USDA Reject tag B29606777 was applied to the stun box at 0711 hours halting any further movement of cattle into the knock box. I verbally notified Ms. REDACTED, QA lead of my observations and that I had taken a regulatory control action on the restrainer. Ms. REDACTED was already placing a QA hold tag on the stun box controls at the time of my notification as she also observed the event. The steer was shackled, hoisted, and sticking procedures were performed per normal plant operating procedures. Exsanguination was completed at 0715 hours in direct observation of Dr. REDACTED without return to consciousness. I notified HACCP Coordinator, REDACTED that the establishment failed to comply with regulatory requirements 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). USDA Retain tags B29606831 and B29606832 were applied to the head of this animal. Ms. REDACTED and GPM REDACTED were notified the plant may split and evaluate the head for records and training purposes, but the head would remain under USDA control. After further deliberation by Springdale District Officials, the decision was made for this event to be considered a standard Noncompliance Record without it being an egregious act as the third knock caused the steer to have a seizure, making the fourth knock unnecessary. Official Control was released for the plant to continue operations at 1420 hours, USDA Reject tag B29606777 was removed from the stunning box, and tags B29606831, B29606832 were removed from the steer's split head.