Florida Beef, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.2

On August 15, 2024, at approximately 1115 hours, while conducting inspection task in the barn, I observed that the left water trough of pen #2 has no water. I also observed that the right water trough does not have water. I applied reject tag NO. B-46 644521 on the pen and notified Mr. REDACTED Cattle Procurement Manager, about the deviation. I told Mr. REDACTED that livestock must have access to water in holding pens. Mr. REDACTED filled the water through on the right. I removed the tag and notified him that I will issue an NR for failing regulation 9 CFR 313.2(e).

313.2

At approximately 1015 hours, while conducting inspection task in the barn, I observed animals being unloaded from a cattle truck. The last cow was not cooperative and stayed at the front loading/unloading of the trailer. The truck driver, behind the middle trailer divider, struck the cow with rattle paddle four consecutive times in the face. I immediately took regulatory control action by applying U.S. Reject tag No. B34733427 on the trailer. I notified Mr. REDACTED Cattle Procurement Manager, that the truck driver cannot hit the animal in the face with blunt force. As the operations continue, one of the truck driver’s kid got up in the stairs and started poking the animal with a rattle paddle in the nose three consecutive times. Mr. REDACTED quickly stopped the kid from doing what he’s doing. The establishment was able to unload the animal without further deviation. I notified Mr. REDACTED that I will issue an NR for failing regulation 9 CFR 313.2(b) by using rattle paddle excessively which could lead to animal injury.

313.2

On June 20, 2024, at approximately 0655hours, while performing livestock ante-mortem inspection, I observed the following noncompliance. A barn employee proceeded to present 42 animals from pen#5 for inspection, as he opened the gate, I noticed two animals, a cow and a bull, resting on the ground. As the gate opened five or six cows walked past them into the alley. I turned and informed REDACTED, CP manager that they need to allow the animals to stand-up before continuing. The same employee entered the pen and proceeded to move the rest of the of the animals into the alley, causing several animals to walk and step on the two animals at rest. The animals stood up during the process. There was no animal injured. I immediately took regulatory control by stopping ante-mortem inspection and notified Mr. REDACTED of the noncompliance. I applied Tag B45562501 to the barn and notified Dr. REDACTED, SPHV of the noncompliance.

313.1,313.15(b)(1)(iii)

On June 19, 2024, while performing livestock humane handling activities, I observed the following noncompliance. At approximately 1025 hours, I noticed barn personnel gather at the entrance to the animal stunning box. I observed a plant employee using a rattle paddle to coerce an animal to move forward. Further inspection revealed that a cow had attempted to reverse his direction and become stuck inside the alley and unable to move. Plant personnel continuously attempted to free the animal by moving an overhead gate and manually help free the animal. The animal soon was able to free his-self without injury. Animals having the ability to reverse their direction is against regulatory requirements under 9 CFR 313.1(d) Livestock pens and driveways shall be so arranged that sharp corners and direction reversal of driven animals are minimized. Continuing my observations, I also notice that there is no protective cover at the bottom of the overhead gate at the entrance to the serpentine alley. I observed barn personnel lower the metal overhead hydraulic gate onto the cattle below to coerce them to move forward. This practice may cause discomfort or injury to the animal. Under 9 CFR 313.15(b)(1)(iii) Overhead drop gates shall be suitably covered on the bottom edge to prevent injury on contact with animals. Plant manager REDACTED and FSQA REDACTED were notified of the noncompliance. No tags were used, and no animals were injured during my observation. This document serves as written notification that failure to comply with regulatory requirements may lead to additional enforcement.

313.2

On June 11, 2024, at approximately 1648 hours, while conducting inspection activity in the barn, I observed a barn employee using a raddle paddle and an electric prod to move animals down the serpentine alley. As the last two animals approached the entrance to the knocking area, the leading animal stopped. The employee applied the electric prod to the trailing animal in rapid succession four times causing the animal to vocalize in discomfort. I immediately notified REDACTED, cattle procurement manager of the deviation for failing to minimize excitement of the animal. Mr. REDACTED took corrective measures by communicating with the individual. A review of the facility Humane Handling plan indicates that electric prodding will not be continuous or multiple times in rapid succession. The facility failed to minimize the excitement and discomfort when moving the animal to the stunning area. Mr. REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance under 9 CFR 313.2 This document serves as written notification that failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional enforcement.

313.1

At approximately 1315 hours, while I was conducting ante-mortem inspection tasks on pen 1, I observed three cows had fallen as they were turning back from pen # 7. One of them have its flank and brisket hit the floor and the other two had their rumps touched the floor consistent with “Fall” definition according to FSIS Directive 6900.2, revision 3. All three of them immediately stood up and walk back to pen# 1. Also, I observed that the bedding in entry/exit area of pen 7 is uneven. I notified Mr. REDACTED, Cattle Procurement Manager, about the deviation and that I will issue an NR for failing regulation 9 CFR 313.1. The corrective action was taken immediately by equally spreading the bedding material and made it even. The preventive measure was keep observing at this area and respread the bedding material consistently as needed. This document serves as written notification that failure to comply with regulatory requirements could lead to additional enforcement actions.

313.1

At approximately 0657 hours, while conducting livestock antemortem inspection on pen #4, I observed a cow fall in front of pen #9 as it goes back to pen #4. The cow stands back up immediately right after it fell. The animal's chest hit the floor which is consistent with "Fall" description under FSIS Directive 6900.2 Revision 3. As I observed further, I noticed that the bedding in front of Pen #9 was uneven. The area is historically abundant of same incidents (NR: HAA2613011229N). I notified Mr. REDACTED, Cattle Procurement Manager about the deviation and that I will issue an NR for failing regulation 9 CFR 313.1.

313.1

At approximately 1330 hours, while performing antemortem inspection at the livestock pens, I observed the following noncompliance. As I stood on the inspection catwalk, barn personnel presented pen #3 for inspection. The animals were led down to the alley to pen #10, once inside the animal were turned around to return to pen #3. As the animals made their way back, I observed a black cow slip her footing and fell in front of pen #7. The animal’s chest came to rest directly on the ground. The animal immediately regained her footing and slowly made her way back to pen #3. I performed visual inspection of the area from my standing point and noticed uneven bedding in the area. I didn’t see a supervisor nearby, so I communicated my findings to barn personnel REDACTED. Once I returned to the USDA office, I notified SPHV REDACTED of the deviation. I also reviewed previous humane handling noncompliance on slips and falls at the facility. I found documentation under previous dates and similar incidents involving the alley walk area. At approximately 1415 hours I notified Barn Manager REDACTED of the concern and that a non-compliance would be issued for a fall. Per Directive 6900.2 revision 3; Falls: When an animal loses an upright position suddenly, in which a part of the body other than the limbs touches the ground or floor.

313.2

At around 1255, while conducting inspection activity in the barn. I noted commotion in the final chute near the knock box. Multiple plant employees were working to move a cow that was balking. They used a rattle paddle multiple times, they also used a hot shot six times on the animal. The pattern was rattle paddle use then hot shot repeated. The rattle paddle was applied with blunt edge repeatedly striking the animals flank. The animals back leg, kicked multiple times after use of hot shot. The plant then used low pressure water on the animal to get it to move forward. A review of the facility Humane Handling plan indicates that prodding will not be continuous or multiple times in rapid succession. The facility failed to minimize the excitement and discomfort when moving the animal to the stunning area. Mr. REDACTED, Barn Manager was notified.

313.1

On Friday, October 6, 2023, while performing livestock antemortem inspection the following noncompliance was observed: While standing on the designated inspection stand, I observed cattle slipping and falling in the alleyway where pen gates 9 and 10 open. At approximately 0640 hours, as the plant employee was presenting cattle from Pen 10, one animal slipped in the alleyway, causing it to lose his footing and collapse onto the front half of its body. While the same set of animals were being driven back the opposite direction, another one lost footing in both hind legs and came to rest on his hind quarters on the ground. The animals sustained no injuries during this time. Due to the falls in the same general area of the alleyway, approximately 4’ x 3’ of waffle concrete flooring was exposed. REDACTED, Plant Manager was notified of the noncompliance. The requirements for 313.1(b) were not met. A similar noncompliance was documented on 9-22-23.