Agri Star Meat and Poultry, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category VII - Slips and Falls At approximately 0815hrs while in the beef evisceration area I was called over to the restraining box. As I approached, I heard a steer vocalize several times and observed that the rotating restrainer, the floor of which is several feet off the ground, was in the inverted position and a steer was in sternal recumbency with its front feet and head underneath the restrainer through a gap just past the entrance. The animal was unable to back out from that position and an establishment employee used the firearm located next to the restrainer to render the animal unconscious. This incident represents noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(a) and I informed Director of Operations REDACTED that an NR would be documented. The establishment determined that the hydraulic gate at the entrance to the restrainer had not been closed after the previous animal was let in. When the restrainer was inverted, the next animal in the chute walked forward and slipped into the gap. The cause of the operational error was determined to be that the hydraulic motor was being refueled at the time, which may have caused the gate to malfunction, and employees in the area of the restrainer had not noted the failure of the gate to close. Prior to restarting slaughter operations employees running the gates and restrainer were retrained on responsibilities regarding restrainer and gate operations and employees responsible for refueling the hydraulic motor were notified that it must be done prior to the start of daily operations. I was present throughout the incident and to confirm adequate preventative measures so no retain tag was used.

313.1

HATS Category IV- Handling During Antemortem When I arrived in the barn for antemortem inspection at approximately 0510hr I observed a steer in sternal recumbency on the floor of the scale and several barn employees attempting to get the animal up. The lid for the manhole in the middle of the scale was laying off to the side and the animal’s left rear leg was hanging freely down in the hole. After about 20 minutes of unsuccessful attempts to get the animal up, during which time the steer remained calm with minimal response to employee efforts, the area was cleared in preparation for euthanizing the animal. Once left alone the steer made an effort to rise and was able to lift itself from the hole, walking away with no apparent injuries. This incident represents noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.1 and I informed barn foreman REDACTED that an NR would be documented. The manhole was welded shut to prevent recurrence before weighing the rest of the cattle for the day. I was present throughout the incident and to confirm adequate preventative measures so no retain tag was used. Prior to the next slaughter day an extended rim will be welded to the underside of the lid to prevent it from being displaced by cattle moving over the scale.