GW BEEF COMPANY LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.1

While performing antemortem inspection between 6:20 – 645 am, I observed pens 200, 201, 202, 203, 301, and 302 being very muddy with some standing water in the pens (especially 301 and 302). As the plant employee had the cattle move from one end of the pen to the other, several cattle slipped on the mud and fell to their knees. Some of these cattle were received at the establishment with injuries to a limb, which made walking difficult. The muddy pens then created a situation in which these cattle easily lost their footing, which then caused them to slip and fall. The floor surface of the pens is uneven which then adds another obstacle for these cattle that arrive lame in one or more limbs. I also noticed that there was mud caked up between the toes of over half the cattle that I inspected on antemortem. I inspected 234 head of cattle. I did not notice any visible bedding in any of the pens either. While performing antemortem on pen 301, I observed the plant employee moving the cattle to the south end of the pen. The employee had not looked before he started moving the cattle that there was a cow that was laying down in the pen. When he forced the cattle to move to the south end, several of the cattle stepped on and over the cow that was laying down. This cow was not protected from being trampled on by other animals. Although the establishment has a pen monitoring check done every day prior to pre-op on the slaughter floor, the check only determines if there is sufficient room, water available, and food available if held over 24 hours. The check does not consider the surface of the flooring and whether the surface is in such a state that animals will slip and fall and potentially injure themselves. This establishment buys numerous lame cattle which are already at a disadvantage in their movement. Muddy, slippery flooring only adds to their inability to move safely within a pen. I met with HACCP Manager REDACTED concerning my observations on antemortem and that a noncompliance would be documented for the condition of the pens which caused the cattle to lose their footing. Federal Regulation for Livestock Pens, Driveways, and Ramps 9CFR 313.1 (b) states “Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance”. The establishment has failed to meet the requirements of 9CFR 313.1(b).

313.2

While monitoring HATS Category 3 and HATS Category 4 during ante-mortem at approximately 0637 hours I, Relief SPHV Dr. REDACTED observed the following instances of non-compliance with 9 CFR: 313.2(e) and 9 CFR 313.2(a). I observed approximately 70 livestock consisting of cattle of various ages and size within pen 201. When reviewing the pen card, 71 were listed. I attempted to communicate with the ante-mortem pen employee that I may not be able to conduct ante-mortem due to the density of cattle presented being too great. There was not ample room available for cattle to lie down and readily access water. The employee moved cattle back and forth within pen 201 and I observed 1 DOA Holstein heifer. I observed another live heifer struggle to extricate itself from mud that had accumulated in close proximity to the water trough. Several larger animals were observed trampling the heifer, appearing to render the heifer unconscious just prior to obstructing my view. I attempted to communicate what I had observed with the ante-mortem pen employee, but was unable to communicate effectively due to a language barrier. I applied U.S. Rejected Tag #B-45667751 to the establishment’s stunning box, also referred to as a knock box, at approximately 0652 hours. I notified establishment FSQA Manager REDACTED of my observations at approximately 0654 hours and that a non-compliance record (NR) would be generated. Corrective actions were completed at approximately 0720 hours. Cattle were redistributed to other pens to decrease the stocking density. The injured heifer regained consciousness and became ambulatory. FSQA Manager REDACTED informed IPP that the root cause of the issue was stocking density. It was further explained to IPP that a training would be held with all pen employees. The training was described as having a focus on stocking density to ensure all livestock have room to lie down and access water. Regulatory control was relinquished at approximately 0724 hours. This NR is associated with NR# WBA0308042522 for a similar instance of non-compliance, which occurred on 4/22/2024. A trend of non-compliance is developing. Failure to adequately address the development of a trend of associated instances of non-compliance may result in further regulatory control and/or enforcement actions.

313.2

Hats Category III: Water and Feed availability; 9 CFR: 313.2(e) At approximately 6:50 am while waiting for the proper plant employees to arrive to knock two non-ambulatory cows I Dr. REDACTED was made aware of a third non-ambulatory cow that was in the loading dock. I went over to see the condition of this cow and noticed that this cow was down with labored breathing and isolated to the loading dock with no water availability. When gathering more information on this cow I was told that it came in sometime last night and had gotten off the truck but then went down after a few feet. They isolated the beef cow in the loading dock to keep her contained. When I asked about water available REDACTED the establishment administrator, he told me that they have a water receptacle that normal will go in the pens with them in cases like this, but it was outside of the pen area empty. I was also made aware that they have been training some new employees for receiving animals outside of the normal slaughter/processing hours. I notified REDACTED of the humane handling NR and he called for REDACTED to come out. He then explained the situation to her.

313.2

At approximately 0630 hours, while performing a Livestock Humane Handling Task, CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance. A violation of 9 CFR 313.2(e) Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down. Upon entering the live animal holding area, at approximately 0630 hours, I observed 35 animals in pen 101. The cows were mooing. I then walked over to the water tank and observed the water tank to be empty. There was not a source of water available for the animals to drink. I immediately informed the pen attendant of the existing noncompliance. The pen attendant immediately moved the animals into pen 201. The pen did have water available for the animals. At approximately 0645 hours, after ante mortem was complete, REDACTED, floor supervisor, was notified of the noncompliance that I had observed. REDACTED, FSQA Lead, was also notified as she entered the slaughter floor and I had opportunity to notify her.

313.15(a)(1)

I, Dr. REDACTED DVM, observed the following non-compliance on October 6, 2023, while performing Humane Handling HATS category VIII Task at approximately 3:35 pm. I was asked to observe the stunning of a non-ambulatory black beef cow ear tag# 616T with the Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED and Plant Manager REDACTED. The Barn Manager applied the first shot and the animal tried to get up and was looking around breathing hard and blinking. The second shot was applied and the animal dropped to the ground but the eye was still blinking. Another shot was tried but the bolt gun did not fire. A third shot was done and the cow was fully stunned with no breathing and fixed open eye. I informed the Kill Floor Supervisor of the non-compliance based on 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).

313.1

I, Dr. REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance while performing Humane Handling HATS category V Handling of Suspect and Disabled animals. I observed two suspect animals on antemortem examination. I was told that a pen of animals would be moved to the kill chute and the suspect animals would be moved into an open pen. I observed the #9 carcass as the beef cow that was determined to be suspect on antemortem exam slaughtered and not separated. The head had no noticeable identification to notify inspection personnel that the animal was determined to be a suspect animal. When I went outside to verify that the calf that was determined to be a suspect animal was in a suspect pen, I was told it was not. There was currently an open pen that the suspect animals could be moved into. This is in violation of 9 CFR 313.1(c) and 9 CFR 309.2(n).