South 40 Farms, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the South 40 Farms, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.16(a)(1)
On December 5, 2022, at approximately 10:40am as IPP was preparing to enter the slaughter floor to perform HATS Category VIII – Stunning Effectiveness, IPP heard a firearm discharge followed by a vocalization from a beef. After hearing the vocalization, IPP opened the door to see a conscious beef cow standing in the restrainer. IPP closed the door to the slaughter floor after observing that the establishment employee was readying a second shot with a .9mm pistol. After hearing the second shot IPP went inside to the slaughter floor and confirmed that the beef was rendered unconscious. IPP promptly placed U.S. Rejected tag B-45 639335 on the restrainer and informed Supervisors REDACTED and REDACTED of IPP’s observations. The failure of the initial stunning attempt is not in compliance with 9CFR 313.16(a)(1). After the establishment representative provided verbal preventive measures IPP removed the tag and slaughter operations resumed. Upon postmortem inspection of the head IPP noted that one stunning wound was about 1 inch above the eye line and about 1 inch to the right of the center of the nose line, with an entry angle that would have carried the bullet towards the right ear. The second stunning wound was placed about 2 inches above the eye line and center of the nose line.
313.2
On November 14, 2022, at approximately 7:15am as IIP was verifying HATS Category III (Water and Feed Availability), IIP observed that one beef cow had been locked in the drive through alley overnight without access to water. The beef was in the drive through alley which is not normally a holding pen. The alley is connected to a holding pen which was locked with a bicycle lock. The holding pen did have access to water. The beef had access to feed but no access to water, the beef did not appear dehydrated and did not rush to the water once given access. IIP notified Owner REDACTED and Supervisor REDACTED of my findings and the forthcoming noncompliance record. This is not in compliance with 9CFR 313.2(e). The beef was immediately brought into the pen with access to water.
