Missouri Prime Beef Packers LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

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

On February 21, 2023 at 0654 hours Dr. REDACTED observed the following humane handling noncompliance. Cow #50 (production day carcass identification tag) entered Knockbox #1 (KB) in a calm fashion. The cow's size and frame length was narrower than the KB width, and shorter than the rear "push bar" could manipulate the cow's neck outside the front head catch plate of the KB. The establishment stunning operator could not restrain the cow's neck and head with the front vertical compression plate, nor guide and restrain the jaw of the cow in the chin cradle. After several attempts to coax the cow into the proper position to restrain the animal unsuccessfully, the stunning operator elected to hand knock the cow in a free moving position inside the KB using a .22 caliber handheld stunning device. This device is utilized by this establishment on a unplanned routine basis for cattle that cannot be restrained adequately in the head/cradle mechanisms of the KB to utilize the main hydraulically operated stunning device. The operator took time trying to redirect the cow's head position calmly and place the 1st stun correctly. Unfortunately, the cow tipped her head upward and to the side when the operator fired the stunning device. This caused a misplaced stun that did not render the cow immediately unconscious. The cow remained in standing position, shook her head side to side several times, and exhibited blepharospasm of the right eye. The KB operator recognized the mis-stun placement, proceeded in a calm fashion to place a second knock with the second available handheld device which rendered the cow unconscious observed with immediate collapse into the bottom of the KB. It was no longer possible for the PHV to view the condition of the cow in the KB as the operator place a third knock using a handheld device. Dr. REDACTED instructed the KB operator to stop production, and notified REDACTED (Harvest Foreman) who was operating KB#2 at the time to stop production and notify QA personnel via the radio. FSQA Director REDACTED and QA technician REDACTED arrived and was informed of the situation and FSIS had taken a regulatory control action to stop production using USDA Retain tag B-45067939. Dr. REDACTED informed both individuals that this incident was not being viewed as an egregious violation at this time but a RCA was taken to verify proper slaughter of the cow in question and allow establishment due process to maintain control of their process, and gather information for future prevention. The cow was rolled out of the KB, shackled and hoisted in a state of unconsciousness. The cow experienced exsanguination standard procedures qualifying death by slaughter/harvest and did not regain consciousness during the procedure. The cow/carcass in question was identified by Dr. REDACTED and QA Ms. REDACTED to further view/study the skull after dehiding procedures. Production was restarted as RCA was released back to QA control at 0700 hours. In the head room, carcass #50 skull was examined by Dr. REDACTED and Ms. REDACTED. It was identified 3 knock holes were present. One knock hole was very lateral and low from proper placement entering the medial aspect of the orbit of the right eye at the zygomatic arch, was 2-3 times the size of the captive bolt used and did not penetrate to the brain/calvarium. The remaining 2 knock holes were placed next to each other at the dorsal center of the "x" created by an imaginary line from the canthus of the eye to the poll of the head. Brain tissue was present in the 2 center place knock holes. The establishment is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.15(a) and 9 CFR 313.15(b)(iii).