Theurers Custom Meat Inc: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

On August 15, 2023 at approximately 0600 hours, SPHV was performing a HATS inspection task of the livestock holding pens. There were 4 holding pens with cattle (pens 1,2,3 and 4). The water to these 4 pens is supplied by 2 automatic water troughs located in-between 2 pens respectively. I observed that the water trough servicing pens 1 and 2 was tipped over into pen 1 and there was no evidence of water leaking from this tipped over trough. The other waterer between pens 3 and 4 (both of which obtain their water from the same water line) was empty / dry in appearance. With-in these 4 pens were approximately 30 cattle in total, all appeared in good condition and not vocalizing during inspection. With no access to water in these pens, this is a non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e). The CSI verbally informed The Plant Manager of the non-compliance observed by the SPHV. The Plant Manager responded that he had checked the pens late the night before and found that one of the water troughs was broken and water was flowing all around. Due to this, he had shut off the supply of water to the pens affected. He reported that both troughs had contained water at the time of his check at 2100 hours. After being informed of the lack of water / non-compliance, the Plant Manager immediately went and manually filled the water troughs, replacing the tipped over one to its upright position, restoring access to water, so no regulatory control action was taken due to the observed immediate corrective actions. A review of non-compliance records for the last 90 days does not show a similar non-compliance for the same root cause. This establishment maintains a robust systematic approach to livestock humane handling.