Wayguud Custom Meat LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.1

HATS Category VII: Slips and Falls On August 18th, 2023, at approximately 0705 hours, the CSI observed the following during a routine humane handling task for ante-mortem inspection. CSI observed a beef slipping in the establishment’s holding pen. The beef’s front and rear hooves slipped which allowed portions of all four legs other than the feet to touch the ground. The beef regained its footing and continued walking. CSI then observed all four feet of a second beef slip which caused the beef to fall. As the beef fell, the left side of the body and head came into contact with the floor of the holding pen. The beef did not vocalize, immediately regained its footing, and continued to walk. CSI observed an accumulation of fecal matter in the holding pen. CSI immediately informed plant manager of her observations. The plant manager was verbally notified that a noncompliance record would be issued. Immediate corrective action was implemented by the establishment which included moving the beef to an unaffected area of the pen while the fecal buildup was removed. This allowed the beef access to the ridges in the cement for better traction. US Retained tag NO. B24529801 was applied to affected pen area pending the completion of corrective actions. There has been a similar noncompliance record (MAE0709081816N-1) issued on 08/11/2023 for the same root cause. The establishment has not implemented a robust systemic approach to livestock humane handling.

313.1

HATS Category VII: Slips and Falls On August 11, 2023, at approximately 0745, the CSI observed the following during a routine humane handling task for ante-mortem inspection. CSI observed a beef slipping in an establishment’s holding pen. The beef’s front hoof slipped which allowed a portion of the leg other than the foot to touch the ground. The beef regained its footing and continued walking. CSI then observed both rear feet of a second beef, slip which allowed the rear portion of the beef to come into contact with the ground. The beef did not vocalize and immediately regained its footing and continued to walk. CSI noted that there was an accumulation of fecal matter in the main pen. CSI immediately Informed plant manager of her observations. The plant manager was verbally notified that a noncompliance record would be issued. While discussing the conditions in the pen area with plant manager, the rear hoof of a third beef slipped which allowed a portion of the leg other than the foot to touch the ground. The beef regained its footing and resumed walking. Immediate corrective action was implemented by the establishment which included moving the beef to an unaffected area of the pen while the fecal buildup was removed. This allowed the beef access to the ridges in the cement for better traction. Traction in the pens was previously discussed with plant management on 07/27/2023 and recorded in the 7/31/2023 establishment meeting MOI (MAE2511075631E) There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days. The establishment has not implemented a robust systemic approach to livestock humane handling.

313.2

HATS Category VII: Slips/Falls At approximately 0833 hours, the CSI was on the slaughter floor performing normal inspection duties. The CSI turn toward the open stun box to see a bovine on the ground, in front of the stun box, blinking, alert, with its head lifted. The CSI alerted the establishment employees of the conscious bovine on the slaughter floor. The bovine then rose from the ground to a standing position, stood in the open door of the stun frantically made its way from the stun box area to the south side of the slaughter floor. As the bovine traveled across the floor, it rubbed against a carcass which was lying on the skinning cradle. The bovine hit the gut buggy with its shoulder, slipping to get away from the equipment. As the bovine moved toward the south door, it brushed against the carcasses hanging on the rail. The bovine then changed directions, slipping as it headed back toward the stun box area. The bovine tripped on the south end of the skinning cradle but did not go down and come to a stop when the bovine became wedged in the narrow opening between two steel barrier poles. The poles are approximately 4 feet tall, spaced approximately 1.5 feet apart and are in place to separate the stun box area from the blood pit area. An establishment employee made their way to the stunning area outside to retrieve a firearm. The employee then applied one stun from the 12-guage shotgun while the bovine was in the blood pit area. The stun was effective, and the bovine was rendered insensible and effectively bled. The CSI applied US Reject tag B24529727 and informed the establishment that stunning operations were on hold. Upon further investigation, the CSI was able to determine that the bovine had not been previously stunned prior to entering the stun box. The outside gate, separating the alley and the stun box, was not secured, allowing the bovine to enter the stunning area and the slaughter floor. Establishment management were verbally informed of the noncompliance. A review of the establishment noncompliance history does not show a similar NR written documented in the past 90 days. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(a).