Calihan Pork Processors, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.2

On 9/04/2024, at approximately 1340 hrs, SCSI REDACTED observed 5 boars in Pen #824. According to the ante-mortem card hanging on the pen, these boars were yarded on 9/03/2024 at 11:40 am, which signifies the time the boars were placed into their designated pen. As part of the Livestock Humane Handling verification task (HATS Category III – Water and Feed Availability), SCSI REDACTED requested to see the establishment’s feed log since the boars had been held greater than 24-hours at the establishment and there was no evidence of feed in Pen #824. REDACTED Barn Manager, showed SCSI REDACTED the log and stated none of the sows that were held over from the previous day (9/03/2024) received feed since they were slaughtered earlier in the day. When SCSI REDACTED inquired about the 5 boars in Pen #824, Mr. REDACTED stated he forgot to feed them. The above is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(e). Mr. REDACTED was notified of this noncompliance. The boars were then provided feed.

313.1

On 7/10/2024, at approximately 0645 hrs, while observing truck unloading (HATS Category II) as part of the Livestock Humane Handling verification task, SCSI REDACTED witnessed the following: An establishment employee was unloading sows from the upper level of a semi-trailer, when the swing gate that is normally secured alongside the interior ramp from the upper level to lower level of the trailer became disengaged. This resulted in the gate moving and creating an open space alongside the ramp. It was at that time that one of the sows, located approximately halfway down the ramp, fell from the edge of the ramp onto the lower-level floor of the trailer. SCSI REDACTED observed the sow walk off the trailer with no apparent injuries. The above is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.1(a). SCSI REDACTED immediately asked establishment personnel, as well as REDACTED Barn Manager, to stop unloading. Additionally, SCSI REDACTED took further regulatory control action by placing U.S. Retained Tag No. B26755177 at the chute leading up to the restrainer/stunning area. REDACTED Assistant Plant Manager, and REDACTED Animal Handling Lead, were notified of this regulatory control action. Immediate corrective actions were performed, and regulatory control was relinquished. Mr. REDACTED was notified of this noncompliance.

313.30(a)(4),313.15(a)(1)

On 10/5/2023 at approximately 2:53 pm while observing electrical stunning (HATS Category VIII and IX) as part of Humane Handling, the following noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.30(a)(4) and 313.15(a)(1) was observed. While watching electrical stunning by the bleed chain, I observed a boar be electrically stunned with simultaneous head/heart stunning in the restrainer and moved out of the restrainer onto the shackling belt. The animal was unconscious when moving out of the restrainer. Once the animal was flat on the shackling table, I noticed it was rhythmically breathing. As I moved closer to the sticker area to get a view of the boar’s head, I noticed it was blinking as well. At this time, the employee that shackles the animals noticed the breathing and called for his supervisor and the captive bolt gun. The shackling belt was stopped so the animal did not move further down. The supervisor climbed up onto the belt and walked around to the head of the animal. The supervisor moved the head and placed the handheld captive bolt gun on the animal’s forehead and fired the device. Immediately after, the boar stood up on all 4 feet and walked up the belt to the corner by the restrainer. The captive bolt gun was reloaded and fired again by the supervisor while the animal was cornered, and the animal was rendered unconscious. The boar was then shackled and stuck to bleed out. Regulatory control was taken at the knock box and U.S. Retained tag B26755109 was applied to the restrainer. Assistant Plant Manager REDACTED was informed of the observations. The boar’s head was later examined, and 2 penetrating knock holes were visible in close vicinity to each other. Both knock holes were in the appropriate target area. The Chicago District Office issued a NOIE for this egregious incident.