Blue Ribbon Processing, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Blue Ribbon Processing, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2022.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2022.
313.16(a)(1)
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at approximately 1340 hours while conducting Humane Handling Verification Task under Stunning Effectiveness the IIC observed the following noncompliance: The IIC observed the stun operator preparing to stun an Angus bull with a firearm in the stun box. The IIC exited the kill floor to remain in a safe location due to a firearm being used. The IIC heard the firearm discharge and then opened the kill floor door. The initial stun attempt did not render the bull unconscious. The IIC observed the bull remain standing in the stun box, but no distress or vocalization was observed. The IIC observed the stun operator immediately prepare to apply a second stun attempt with the same firearm and closed the door to the kill floor. After the IIC heard the firearm discharge a second time, the IIC entered the kill floor and observed the bull had been rendered unconscious. On post-mortem examination, ICC observed a single large hole penetrating the skull on the skinned head. The IIC verbally notified the establishment owner that a noncompliance record would be issued and the District Veterinary Medical Specialist was notified through supervisory channels.
313.15(a)(1)
I, the SPHV, was observing slaughter operations at Jensen's Blue Ribbon Processing, Est 8131. At 8:15 AM the first steer in the stun box, which restricts movement of the animals but does not have a head catch, had the first stun applied with a handheld captive bolt (HHCB) device by the establishment stun operator. I observed the steer immediately drop to its knees, was bleeding from the stun hole, and was visibly breathing hard. The establishment owner entered the kill floor just as this was happening. I observed the stun operator retrieve the backup HHBC device, which was readily available at the stun box, and wait for the steer to have its head in a better position to apply a second stun. At the same time, I observed the establishment owner immediately retrieve the primary HHBC device, reload it, and apply a second stun attempt which rendered the animal immediately unconscious. I spoke with the establishment owner and informed him that slaughter operations would be stopped and explained to him that this was a humane handling incident and that I would need to reach out to the District Office. The stun box was tagged with US Reject Tag B31393429. The District Management Team was contacted via supervisory channels. I observed the dressed head. The original stun hole was observed on the lateral side of the left poll, the second stun hole was observed within the target zone. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days.
