High Plains Processing LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.2

HAT Category III 9 CFR 313.2(e) Establishment M-47413 the following noncompliance was observed.   No water available for the two Holstein steers being held in the alleyway. At approximately 1000 hours while a performing humane handling task, two Holstein steers were observed in the alleyway without access to water.  The water trough for the alleyway is located at the east end of the alleyway. There is a gate blocking the steers access to the water trough. There was a chain around the gate keeping it closed.  There are six additional pens north of the alleyway that have water however the gates are locked so the steers do not have access to the water in the pens. The establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.2(e) - Livestock do not have access to water in holding pens. Plant Manager REDACTED was notified and shown the noncompliance. Mr. REDACTED fed the cattle and opened the gate so the steers could gain access to the water.  Mr. REDACTED stated that one of the employees closed the gate after he had performed his last check of the day. The gate was closed while they were moving cattle into different pens and the employee forgot to unchain the gate after finishing. Plant Owner Mr. REDACTED stated that going forward, the gates will be wired or chained in the open position and an additional water trough will be placed in the west section of the alleyway in the event the gate is closed. The failure of the establishment to provide access to water at all times was most recently documented NR YSH3310060217N/1, dated 6/17/2022 and NR YSH1111065122N/1, dated 6/22/2022. Documented by Dr. REDACTED

313.2

HAT Category III 9 CFR 313.2(e) Establishment M-47413 the following noncompliance was observed.   No water available for the steer being held overnight in pen number 2. The establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.2(e) - Livestock do not have access to water in holding pens. Establishment owner Mr. REDACTED was notified that an NR would be issued. Mr. REDACTED stated that he thinks there is a leak in the tank because it was full last night. The failure of the establishment to provide access to water at all times was most recently documented NR YSH3310060217N/1, dated 6/17/2022. After notifying Mr. REDACTED of the noncompliance, he went out to the pens to fill the tank with water. Documented by Dr. REDACTED

313.2

PHIS LIVESTOCK HUMANE HANDLING WATER AND FEED TASK (9 CFR 313.2 (e): On June 17, 2022, at approximately 0845 hours CSI REDACTED observed the following non compliance. The plant had 1 cow in pen #6, 2 cows in pen #5, 1 cow in pen #4, 3 cows in pen #3, and 1 cow in pen #2 . All pen gates were closed and chained with access to hay and water except the 1 cow in pen #2.  The water tank dry with no indication that there was water added overnight for the cow.  I quickly notified REDACTED ( Plant Owner) of the situation and he filled up the tank with water at 850 hours and I notified him of the documentation as a non compliance.

313.2

On June 2, 2022, at approximately 09:00 hours Dr. REDACTED and CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance while performing a Livestock Humane Handling task-HATS Category III Water and Feed, and Category IV Handling During Ante Mortem Inspection: There was a steer in the pen located way back east of the corrals. There was no feed and water available for the animal. The animal was held at the establishment for over 24 hours. There is no hay or grain on premises only weeds. This does not comply with 9 CFR 313.2 (e). The water was available in the front pens and the steer was about 50 yards away and CSI REDACTED and Dr. REDACTED walk to where the animal was, and it was like a maze to get to it. There were sharp metal panels, pieces of wire, wood planks, large chunks of concrete in the alley ways. The establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.1 (a). The pen gates were not securely open with the chains to make it easier for the animal to get back to the front pens without getting hurt. CSI REDACTED verbally informed Mr. REDACTED a NR would be documented. Mr. REDACTED proceeded to walk to the pens and at about 09:25 hours guided the animal to the front pens where water was available but no feed. The steer was picked up at 10:00 hours. This NR is being linked to NR # YSH3814053425N dated 5/25/22 for the same root cause the animal had no access to water and feed.

313.2

PHIS LIVESTOCK HUMANE HANDLING WATER AND FEED TASK (9 CFR 313.2 (e): On May 25, 2022, at approximately 0700 hours CSI REDACTED observed the following. The plant had 4 animals in pen #2, 1 animal in pen #3 and 2 animals in pen #4. The plant had no feed available and no animal were fed in the last 36 hours. Plants employee at this point released animal to other parts of the pens for grazing. CSI REDACTED notified Mr. REDACTED ( Plant Owner) of the non-compliance.

313.2

PHIS LIVESTOCK HUMANE HANDLING WATER AND FEED TASK (9 CFR 313.2 (e): On May 24, 2022, at approximately 0700 hours CSI REDACTED observed the following. The plant had 4 animals in pen #2 and 2 animals in pen #3. Both pen gates were closed and chained. Both of the alley gates were closed keeping the animals from the water tank in the alley from being used by all animals. Further investigation revealed that the heater in the tank was plugged in to an electric cord but the other end of the cord was not plugged in to an outlet. The tank heater at this time was not operational. At this time plant employee REDACTED plugged it in. CSI REDACTED notified Mr. REDACTED ( Plant Owner) of the non-compliance.

313.2

On March 7, 2022, at approximately 1115 hours, while preforming a Livestock Humane Handling task, CSI REDACTED observed the following non-compliance. In the establishments livestock pen three (3) with livestock present the water tank was frozen over, and no heater was installed. In pen two (2) with livestock present the water tank was frozen over, and no heater was installed. The temperature is 27 degrees, feels like 13 degrees and wind is nineteen (19) miles per hour. CSI REDACTED immediately verbally informed and showed Mr. REDACTED, establishment owner, of the non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e) and that a noncompliance would be documented. This non-compliance is being linked to NR# YSH2111020804N/1 documented on February 4, 2022, for similar root cause.

313.2

HAT Category III 9 CFR 313.2(e) & HAT Category I (Inclement weather) Establishment M-47413 the following noncompliance was observed. The water was frozen solid in all five tanks. There was no feed in the pens and the ground was frozen. There is ice hanging from their hair and coming out of their nose. When CSI REDACTED arrived at 0730 hrs. the temperature was -8 degrees F. The is about 6 inches of snow on the ground. The cattle have nowhere to seek shelter. There are 37 cattle on the property. The establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.2(e) - Livestock do not have access to water in holding pens due to frozen water in buckets or troughs. Establishment owner Mr. REDACTED was notified that an NR would be issued and that the district office was being contacted for further instructions. Mr. REDACTED stated they were going to bring a portable water tank to provide the cattle with water today. The failure of the establishment to provide feed and water was documented on two other occasions. This NR is linked to YSH2315014126N/1, 1/25/2022 and YSH0010015826N, 1/26/2022. Establishment Manager REDACTED stated verbally that they would get some hay and buy tank heaters. In the interim they broke the ice on so the cattle could gain access to the water. Water heaters were purchased but never installed. The establishment failed to implement or provide adequate corrective actions. Documented by Dr. REDACTED

313.2

On1/26/22 at approximately 0820, the following noncompliance was observed in the cattle pens area. The water in each of the 6 holding pens was frozen, preventing the cattle from accessing it and there was no feed for the cattle that were held overnight. IPP informed establishment management of the noncompliance and observed their immediate actions. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2e

313.2

On January 25, 2022, at approximately 0915, I toured the outside animal pens and holding facility. I observed the following noncompliance: Cattle in pens 2, 3, and 6 had frozen water, making it inaccessible to the animals and there was no feed available for them in the pens and no feed on the premises. The Receiving record showed the two steers with ear tag #’s D0031 and D0057 arrived at the plant on January 22, 2022. There was not any feed in the pens. IPP has previously informed establishment management of the frozen water in cattle pens. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2e.