Yellowstone River Beef: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.2

CATEGORY III-WATER  AVAILABILITY On August 16, IIC observed regulatory noncompliance while performing the Humane Handling task in the corral area. Three (3) cattle had been unloaded from a trailer by establishment personnel at 0745 hours into a pen with no access to water. At 0900 hours the pen still had no water container in it, nor was there a container near it. IIC informed REDACTED (establishment manager) that this was noncompliant, and that water shall be supplied in all holding pens for livestock.  IIC also stated that the noncompliance information was shared with SPHV  for guidance. Establishment personnel immediately supplied a tank with water for the animals.  REDACTED responded verbally that additional water tanks would be placed throughout each of the pen areas. This NR shows association to previous NR NB01412085615N/1 on date 8-15-22 for the same cause.   The establishments’ previous corrective actions of separating the livestock into other pens with water provided, and the other corrective action of the establishment monitoring the water at fifteen (15) minute intervals were not effective in the prevention of the noncompliance reoccurring.

313.2

CATEGORY III-WATER  AVAILABILITY At 0642 hours upon IIC arrival at the establishment and prior to the days’ operations, IIC observed that approximately forty (40) head of beef were in a pen.  The livestock had no access to water. The water containers were in the pens, but containers were clean, their inside surfaces were dry. The pen area was approximately thirty (30) feet by twenty-two (22) feet in size.  Eight (8) of the forty (40) head of cattle were lying down, one (1) with three (3) others standing over its head and legs, others were laying with their heads resting on top of the next one.  Also, two (2) beef were up against the south side of the corral forced between the fence made of round metal piping and the other cattle, these two (2) were squeezed at a leaning angle.   The other cattle had no space to lie down in the pen for rest. Upon IIC inquiring when the livestock arrived, REDACTED-Est. Manager stated that it was after 3:30 am as personnel had visited the area at that time and no livestock were seen in the pens. I shared with REDACTED that this is noncompliant of regulation 9 CFR 313.2(e) and expressed that I had contacted Dr. REDACTED, SPHV for guidance who agreed with the noncompliance record being written. No tag was applied since the establishment provided water immediately and they opened up more space for the cattle into another couple pens and moved some of them into the chute towards the restrainer. Additionally, at 0935 hours after slaughter had begun for the day, IIC observed that twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) beef located in the same corral once again had no access to water, as the container was empty and the other two (2) containers still dry.   IIC applied tag # 305780 to the restrainer and expressed to REDACTED that this was again noncompliant.   REDACTED stated that she would see to the water being filled and it would be checked by personnel every fifteen (15) minutes during the day. At 1028 hours the tag was removed by IIC allowing for the continuation of stunning to occur.

313.1

At approximately 8:30 am while performing HATS Category IV – Ante-mortem Inspection, CSI Mr. REDACTED observed noncompliance with HATS VII – Slips and Falls.  Multiple cattle, in holding pen 2 slipped onto both their front knees as well as their hocks.  No external injuries were observed. The cattle were being moved in a calm manner by establishment personnel.  The holding pen floor was covered with a layer of fecal material combined with melted snow. Establishment Manager REDACTED was notified of the forthcoming noncompliance record. Immediate corrective action was taken by the establishment by laying down sand/gravel to eliminate reoccurrence. This is noncompliant with regulation 9CFR 313.1(b).

313.15(b)(1)(iii),313.16(a)(1)

At approximately 0920hrs on 10/6/21, while verifying HATS Category VIII – Stunning Effectiveness, IPP observed a beef steer put into the restrainer. IPP left the room per firearm safety protocols. Upon hearing the firearm discharge, IPP started to return to the room but the stunning operator yelled “Shot” as is their usual warning prior to a stunning attempt so IPP never made it back into the room. IPP could only observe that the animal did not vocalize. The stunning operator immediately reloaded the firearm and applied the second stun using the same 12-gauge firearm. IPP returned to the slaughter room and verified that the second stunning attempt rendered the steer unconscious. The tongue was limp and to the side, no muscle tone to hold the head up, and the animal did not attempt to right itself. Blood was present from a wound on the animal’s head. The restrainer was tagged immediately with U.S. Rejected tag number B27 305976. Establishment Manager, REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance. Two stun wounds were observed on postmortem examination: one hole was 2 inches to the side of the right eye and 3.5 inches deep. A second hole was in the middle of the eye/ear cross pattern and was 3.5 inches deep. Both stun attempts were made using the same 12-gauge that uses a single cartridge for the firing mechanism. The establishment failed to comply with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) by not rendering the animal immediately unconsciousness and 313.16(b)(1)(iii) for lack of proper restraint of the animal. After written corrective actions were given, the tag was removed.