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

313.1

On Friday, June 14, 2024, at approximately 0920 hours, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following humane handling noncompliance in the barn. At the time stated above, I was performing antemortem inspection on the east side of the barn while on the catwalk. I then heard a captive bolt device discharge, then immediately followed by two more shots. These shots came from the opposite end of the barn, near pen 10. Once I arrived at the area, I observed a dairy cow laying down, unconscious, with its hind foot wedged in a gap of the concrete slated floor. No portion of the hoof was visible as it was below the level of the floor, which is suspended over a 10-foot-deep manure pit. The cow was then bled out and dragged out of the barn. The establishment then placed hold tags on pen 10 and the small aisle leading into pen 10, where the incident occurred, to ensure no one used these areas until the gaps in the floor were addressed. I spoke with Technical Services Director, REDACTED, about my findings and the forthcoming noncompliance. REDACTED explained that maintenance will be making a “bar with ears” to be placed in the gap to prevent the bar from falling through the gaps and to prevent cattle from becoming stuck again. She also informed me that maintenance will be doing a full check of the entire barn this weekend to look for more gaps in the floors that are too large. This is noncompliant with regulation 9 CFR 313.1(a) as that the establishment did not maintain the floor in good repair and free from unnecessary openings. HATS Category IV: Antemortem Inspection A review of past 90 days noncompliance records indicates inspection personnel have not issued a noncompliance with the same root cause.

313.1,313.2

On May 21st, 2024 at approximately 2:15pm, while performing the Livestock Humane Handling Task HATs Categories IV and VII, SPHV REDACTED (I) observed the following noncompliance. A group of cattle that were already signed for were mixed with a group of cattle that were being unloaded into a holding pen for antemortem. I observed the barn employees chasing the cattle up and down the center alley trying to separate them resulting in numerous slips and falls. The cattle were not moved with as little excitement as possible and were forced to move at a faster than walking speed. Upon further observation, Barn Supervisor REDACTED was witnessed chasing a cow, that was part of the unsigned group, around the corral that is prior to the chute to the stunner. The cow eventually slipped, fell, and slammed up against the cement block wall. Superintendent REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance.

313.1

On 5/20/24 at approximately 1000 hours, while performing the Livestock Humane Handling Task HATs Category VII, the CSI observed 4 steers slip and fall while being put into per #3. The cattle slipped on the slat that makes up part of the alley and is partially under pen #3’s right gate, as seen from the alley. The animals were not being rushed, and the floor was dry with minimal build up on it but appeared to be worn down creating a slippery surface. The 4 steers each slipped and fell separately in within a minute’s time and rose uninjured immediately. Barn Supervisor REDACTED was notified of the findings and issuance of an NR, at which time he opted to spread sand on the area to improve footing. The CSI did not issue any tags as the sand was placed in a timely manner. The requirements of 313.1 of 9CFR were not met.

313.2

HATS CATEGORY IV—ANTEMORTEM INSPECTION; HATS CATEGORY III—WATER AND FEED AVAILABILITY At 0744 hour on 11/16/24, while performing ante-mortem inspection activities, I found noncompliance with “Humane Slaughter of Livestock—Handling of Livestock” regulatory requirements. At about 0735 hour I entered the barn area to perform ante-mortem inspection and I observed that a dairy cow and a beef cow (both standing) were being held in the suspect pen. It appeared these animals might not have access to water. Upon further investigation, I found that there was no water in the water trough that was located near the front of the suspect pen (in fact the bottom of the trough was completely dry). In addition, there was no water in the automated drinking trough at the back of the pen. Finally, no other sources of drinking water were present in the suspect pen. These findings illustrate noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2 (e), because animals in a holding pen did not have access to water. In response to this finding, a barn employee immediately brought water to the cows in the suspect pen. In addition, at 0746 hour I notified barn supervisor REDACTED that I would be documenting the above-described findings on a noncompliance record.