Stutzman Brothers Meats LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On 8/12/2024 at approximately 1005 hours while performing a Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness (Category VIII) procedure, Dr. REDACTED and I observed Mr. REDACTED (Plant Manager) attempt to stun a steer. The animal was restrained in the head catch of the knock box. The steer remained standing after the first stunning attempt with the captive bolt stunner. The animal vocalized loudly, had tracking eye movement, and moved its head voluntarily. The first stun did not render the animal unconscious, and the bolt appeared to be stuck in the head. Mr. REDACTED had to manipulate the instrument to remove it from the steer’s head, and then he immediately reloaded the captive bolt stunner and applied a second stun to the animal. The second stunning attempt did not render the steer unconscious, and it remained standing, vocalized, had tracking eye movement, and moved its head voluntarily. Mr. REDACTED immediately grabbed the 410-gauge shotgun and shot the animal for the third time, rendering it unconscious. I immediately tagged the knock box with a U.S. Reject tag (B-37602463), and Mr. REDACTED was notified of the action. Mr. REDACTED identified to inspection immediately after postmortem inspection that the placement of the first two stunning attempts with the captive bolt stunner were too low. Both first and second placement of the captive bolt stuns were within the crosshair guidelines; however, the brain was not penetrated with the first two stuns, as the brain sat higher up in the skull cavity. The third stunning attempt with the shotgun was the effective corrective action for the stunning of the animal. After consultation with the District Veterinary Medical Specialist, I removed the U.S. Reject tag. The plant was in violation of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) immediate unconsciousness (captive bolt). I informed Mr. REDACTED that a NR would be issued. This NR is associated with NR HNY0407070201N-1 dated 7/1/2024.

313.2

HATS Category-III Water and Feed Availability – 313.2(e) Date 07/16/24 at 0530 hours in the pens at Est. 45535 Stutzman Meats Sturgis, MI. 5 Beef were observed during an Odd Hour Inspection. Although there was a small bucket (approximately 2-3 gallon) in the pen the bucket had been tipped over and was laying on the floor empty. 1 Steer did not have accessibility to water at the time of this inspection. When Management arrived, they were notified of the non-compliance and immediately watered the beef. Corrective actions were immediate upon the notification of the non-compliance. I informed Mr. REDACTED (Plant Manager) of the non-compliance and that a NR would be issued. The plant was in violation of regulation 313.2(e). There were no associated NRs.

313.15(a)(1)

On 7/1/2024 at approximately 0745 hours while performing a Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness (Category 8) procedure, I observed Mr. REDACTED (Supervisor) stun a beef cow. The animal was restrained in the knock box including a head-catch. The beef did not fall, and briefly vocalization. The head was still voluntarily moving and normal eye movement was occurring. Mr. REDACTED immediately reloaded the stunner and applied a second stun to the animal. The second stun rendered the animal unconscious. I immediately tagged (B-45744909) and Mr. REDACTED was notified of the action. Mr. REDACTED identified (to Inspection-immediately after postmortem) the location the first shot which had been inaccurately placed, and the second effective corrective action shot was accurately placed. After, the corrective actions had been verified the USDA Retained tag was removed. The plant was in violation of Regulation: 313.15(a)(1) Immediate unconsciousness (captive bolt). I informed Mr. REDACTED that a NR would be issued. There has been no associated NRs in the past 90 days.

313.15(a)(1)

On 4/8/2024 at approximately 0720 hours while performing a Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness (Category 8) procedure, I observed Mr. REDACTED (Plant Manager) stun a beef cow. The animal was restrained in the knock box including a head-catch. The beef did not fall, and loud vocalization continued. The head was still voluntarily moving and normal eye movement was occurring. Mr. REDACTED immediately reloaded the stunner and applied a second stun to the animal. The second stun rendered the animal unconscious. I immediately tagged (B-45744812) and Mr. REDACTED was notified of the action. Mr. REDACTED identified (to Inspection-immediately after postmortem) the location the first shot which had been inaccurately placed, and the second effective corrective action shot was accurately placed. I notified Dr. REDACTED (SPHV) of the incident, then removed the USDA Retained tag. The plant was in violation of Regulation: 313.15(a)(1) Immediate unconsciousness (captive bolt). I informed Mr. REDACTED that a NR would be issued. There has been no associated NRs in the past 90 days.

313.1

HATS CATEGORY 7: OBSERVATION FOR SLIPS AND FALLS At approximately 0810 hours on 10/23/2023, I CSI REDACTED, directly observed the first beef of the day slip and fall to the ground as it made its way to the entrance of the knock box. I then seen the beef stand back up and proceed to slip several more times on the floor leading into the box. None of the slips after the initial one resulted in the beef falling to the floor. Establishment employee REDACTED was the only employee in the isle way moving the beef and he was not observed moving them in a manner that would have caused the slipping. After the beef loaded into the box and knocked, I went to the back of the box to inspect the floor. I found an area behind the box approximately 4ft by 4ft, to be very smooth and slippery. I immediately notified establishment manager REDACTED that I would be issuing a noncompliance for Slips and Falls. I also notified Mr. REDACTED that immediate corrective actions would need to be performed to prevent any future slips and/or falls. Mr. REDACTED retrieved a heavy rubber mat and placed it at the entrance to the knocking box. I directly observed the next beef to have no issues with footing in the area where the mat was placed. This observation is a noncompliance with the following regulation(s) 9 CFR 313.1 (b): 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. This document serves as notification that continued failure to meet regulatory requirements could lead to additional regulatory or administrative action.