Florida Beef, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

At approximately 0820, while performing the review and observation portion of Livestock Humane Handling Task, IPP observed the following noncompliance. While observing cattle from the catwalk in the pens, IPP observed one cow in the center of pen #6 that was resting in a seated position in the center of the pen. Upon further observation, I saw the cow getting walked over by the rest of the cows in the pen. IPP then proceeded to inform REDACTED, Supervisor, about the above-mentioned findings and he responded they had no space to move the cattle. IPP did notice pen #12 and the alleyway had no cattle in them. IPP then proceeded to take regulatory control action by placing US Reject tag NO. B45872635 on the knock box to stop slaughter process. Establishment then proceeded to move cattle out of pen 6 to the alleyway. The cow was able to stand up and move out of the pen but then fell again in the alleyway and did not get up. The plant employees then decided to knock the cow and condemn it. Plant Manager REDACTED was informed of the noncompliance.

313.1

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, while performing livestock antemortem inspection the following noncompliance was observed: While standing on the designated inspection stand, at approximately 0640 hours, while the animals were being driven out of Pen 9, a cow lost its footing and fell from an upright position. Shortly afterwards approximately two other cows slipped with their legs touching the ground. The slips/falls happened when the animals turned the corner onto the alleyway. The pens and a portion of the alleyway appeared darker in color, which may be an indication that the bedding was wet. REDACTED, Harvest Manager was notified of the deviation. At approximately 1100 hours, as the animals were driven out of Pen 10, one cow lost its footing and slipped. Approximately three additionally cows slipped with one falling completely to the ground from an upright position coming out of the same pen. This happened in the same general area as mentioned above. I discussed my concerns with Mr. REDACTED, Plant Manager. I communicated that the animals are slipping and falling in the same area. At approximately 1332 hours, while performing antemortem inspection, as the animals were being driven out of Pen 10, there were two that slipped, and one completely fell on its side. Prior to antemortem fresh bedding had been added to pen 10, however issues persisted. I discussed my concerns with REDACTED again and he instructed barn personnel not to drive animals to Pen 9 and 10 for the rest of the day. The requirements for 9CFR 313.1(b) were not met. A similar noncompliance was documented on September 11, 2023.

313.1,313.2

On September 11, 2023, while conducting livestock antemortem at plant request in the barn, I was accompanied by Dr. REDACTED, SPHV. We observed the following issue. At approximately 1115 while standing on the designated inspection stand, I observed plant personnel present cattle for inspection. The animals were moved from pen #1 to alley and presented for inspection. The animals crossed in front of the inspection stand, turned in an empty pen and returned to pen #1. Five animals returned to the alley prior to the gate being shut. The animals moved along the alley past the inspection stand and then turned around and headed back to pen #1. As the animals approached the east corner of pen #7 and # 8, one animal charged the gate, three animals lost their footing and of those two fell onto their side. I observed the sides of both animals touch the ground. Barn manager REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance.

313.1

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at approximately 0953 hours, while performing Humane Handling Tasks, the following noncompliance was observed during truck unloading: A brown brindle cow slipped and fell onto her side, laterally recumbent, immediately inside the open gate area of Pen 1. She struggled for a few moments before being able to rise and move into the alleyway. Manager REDACTED was notified of the noncomplaince at approximately 1003 hours. The requirements for 9CFR 313.1(b) were not met. A similar noncompliance was documented on 7-6-2023; see HAA 2616074606N/1. Documented by REDACTED, DVM

313.1,313.2

On July 6, 202, while performing antemortem inspection of beef cattle, I observed the following noncompliance. At approximately 0650 hours, plant employees presented pen #12 for inspection. During the process I noticed a couple of animals slip causing them to move in a non-walking manner. As I continued observation, I seen a brown cow loose her footing and land directly on her side in front of the pen. The animal quickly regained her posture without injury. I immediately notified barn personnel REDACTED of the noncompliance. At approximately 0718 hours, while continuing inspection, I observed an animal get stuck between two gates at the entrance to the circle pen. The animal became distress as he could not free himself, continued to attempt to move forward and vocalized loudly. Somehow the animal backed-up long enough for the gate to move and was able to free himself. The animal was not injured in any way. During inspection I made the following observation, approximately 6 inches of the cattle feet including the hoofs appeared saturated with muck. Some animals had visible muck on their underbelly and upper legs. Standing on the catwalk, I was able to observe the livestock pens. Pens number 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, and 16 appeared saturated, having approximately 4 inches of muck on the floor. I also noticed wastewater draining directly into the barn in front of pen 16. This deviation may have led to animals slipping and falling due to facility issues. I notified Harvest manager REDACTED of my findings and informed him of the noncompliance. No tags were used and no animals were injured during observation. This document serves as written notification that failure to comply with regulatory requirements(s) could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.

313.1

On Friday May 26, 2023, at approximately 1139 hours while performing livestock ante-mortem inspection I observed the following incident. While the bovine from pen #3 were being driven back into the pen, I observed approximately six different instances of bovine slipping. Three of the six instances involved bovine slipping with their limbs and chest coming into contact with the ground. The area in which the incident took place was located between pens #7 and #8 of the alleyway. These bovines were observed trotting at more than a normal walking speed and were being driven by a barn employee using a flag. I immediately notified REDACTED (Barn personnel) of the deviation, and she called the employee over the radio to instruct him to slow down the driving of the livestock. Shortly after, during ante mortem of pen #2 there was another bovine that slipped in the same area of the alleyway. I notified REDACTED (Plant Manager) of the incident and the forthcoming noncompliance. No animals sustained any injuries during ante-mortem inspection.

313.1

On Thursday, May 25, 2023, at approximately 1048 hours, while observing Truck Unloading, the following incident was observed: A black bovine slipped and stumbled in the alleyway. A black bovine behind the first animal slipped and fell (on its side) in the same area. Manager REDACTED was notified of the non-compliance and informed that this observation would be documented with the similar noncompliance observed during antemortem inspection earlier today. The requirements for 9CFR 313.1 were not met. A similar noncompliance was documented on 5-25-2023; see HAA3908053525N/1. Documented by REDACTED, DVM

313.1

On May 25, 2023, while performing livestock ante-mortem inspection, I observed the following noncompliance. At approximately 0646 hours, I observed a barn employee present livestock for inspection. As the cattle were leaving pen #11, I noticed a couple of animals slide without losing their footing. The animals were trotting at more than normal walking speed. A few seconds later I observed a white cow slip and fall on her side just outside pen #12. I immediately notified barn personnel REDACTED of the deviation. Continuing inspection at approximately 0651 hours, I observed a black cow slip with part of her leg touching the ground. Plant manager REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance. Ante-mortem continued with no other incidents. No animals were injured during ante-mortem and no tags were used. During my inspection I noticed the bedding inside pens #9, #10, #11, and #12 appear dark and wet. The circle pen appears saturated, having greenish, grainy colored pudding like texture across the surface. Harvest manager REDACTED was notified of the incident and forthcoming noncompliance. SPHV Dr. REDACTED documented a similar noncompliance on 5/23/2023 HAA2106051623N citing CFR 313.1 was not met.

313.1

On Monday, May 22, 2023, at approximately 1440 hours, while performing Antemortem Inspection on 38 head of cattle located in Pen 7, the following noncompliance was observed: Because the bedding was saturated, making it difficult to secure their footing, three (3) animals slipped and fell as they exited the pen and entered the alley. A gray beef cow slipped and fell onto her hind quarters, and an additional beef cow slipped and fell in a similar manner behind the first. A brown beef cow slipped and fell, causing both knees to contact the flooring. Slaughter Manager REDACTED was notified of the observed noncompliance. The establishment had been notified during early morning antemortem inspection (0630 hours) that there was a concern at Pen 7 because the bedding was saturated and IPP observed cattle “sliding” as they moved from the pen to the alley. Inspection personnel was concerned that the lack of secure footing could lead to slips/falls. The requirements for 9CFR 313.1(b) were not met. A similar noncompliance was documented on March 29, 2023; see HAA0508032229N/1. Documented by REDACTED, DVM

313.2

At approximately 0450 hours, while performing Odd hour inspection of the livestock facilities, I found the following noncompliance. While performing HATS Categories and Regulations verification I found a deficiency under CFR 313.2(e) category III. Water and Feed Availability. During observation of the water availability component of the regulation, I found 3 livestock pens holding animals but not having accessible water supply. The water troughs inside pens 1 and 3 were empty, while the water level inside the trough in pen number 4 was low enough to be inaccessible to the livestock. I immediately attempted to find plant personnel to remedy the situation. At approximately 0527 hours I located maintenance supervisor REDACTED and informed him of the deficiency. Mr. REDACTED immediately took corrective action by supplying water to the livestock pens. By allowing this deviation to exist the establishment failed to meet CFR 313.2(e) Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens. Similar noncompliance was documented on 4/28/2023 HAA2309043728N. barn personnel REDACTED and Harvest manager REDACTED were notified of the noncompliance.

313.2

On April 28, 2023, at approximately 0829 hours while conducting routine inspections in the livestock pens, I observed the following Humane Handling noncompliance. While walking around the perimeter of the barn area I observed that some of the cattle were licking leaking pipes in pen #1. When I checked for water availability there was no water in the water trough. This trough is built in a way that supplies water to both pens #1 and #3. I notified Dr REDACTED (SPHV) of my findings, who then visually observed the noncompliance herself. REDACTED (Harvest Manager) was verbally and visually notified of the noncompliance. As a corrective action Mr. REDACTED turned on the water valve and filled the water trough at 0838 hours. When water was made available, the cattle herded to the trough in both pens. The establishment failed to comply with 9 CFR 313.2(e) “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down.”

313.1

During livestock ante-mortem inspection, I observed the following noncompliance. As plant employee presented pen number 12 for inspection, I observed animals as they exited the pen. One cow lost her footing and her right hind leg contacted the floor. Animals continued to exit the pen and I observed two other animals lose their footing contacting the floor. Slaughter manager REDACTED was present during ante-mortem inspection, I immediately notified him of the deviation and that a noncompliance would be documented. The floor appeared dry, and animals were walking at normal speed. No tags were used, and animals were not injured. Ante-mortem inspection continued avoiding the area and no other incidents were observed. Mr. REDACTED informed inspection personnel that the deviation would be investigated.

313.1,313.2

On January 16, 2023, at approximately 2:45 PM I observed the following humane handling noncompliance: I was standing on the elevated walkway in the barn observing a barn employee move cattle in the alleyway, towards the area of the serpentine holding pen. The employee swung the rattle paddle sideways with quick motion contacting a beef cow. I was unable to attain the employee’s attention and further observed him utilize the rattle paddle by directly contacting the head of two beef cows. I proceeded towards the walkway of the serpentine area and was unable to get the attention of employees. Observing no further circumstance at that time, I immediately sought an establishment supervisor. No animals were injured.

313.1,313.2

At approximately 06:40 hours, while performing livestock ante-mortem inspection, I observed the following noncompliance. I observed plant employee present cattle from pen #12 for inspection. During presentation, I observed more than 6 cattle lose their footing causing part of their bodies to touch the ground. In addition, during presentation of pen #10 a similar incident occurred where two cattle were observed losing their footing causing part of their bodies to touch the ground. This is a noncompliance under 313.1 Livestock pens, driveways, and ramps. I notified REDACTED about the noncompliance. No animals were injured during inspection and no other deviations were observed.