Calihan Processing Cooperative: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 1210 hours on 09/23/2025, SPHV REDACTED observed a sow standing in the alley outside the suspect pen against the gate with two employees and two captive bolt guns present for stunning with a captive bolt gun. One employee was standing against the side of the sow. SPHV REDACTED then observed the other employee place the captive bolt gun on the sow’s head, and, just as he deployed the gun, the sow moved its head slightly. The captive bolt gun made contact with the sow’s head but did not render it unconscious. The sow vocalized and turned away from the stunning operator and walked approximately 10-15 feet down the alleyway. The second employee followed the sow until the animal sat down, and, at that time, he deployed a second stunning attempt, which rendered the sow unconscious. He then applied a security knock to the temple. SPHV REDACTED notified FSQA Manager REDACTED shortly followed by Animal Handling Lead REDACTED that she would be taking regulatory control over the slaughter line. U.S. Rejected Tag Number B33451730 was placed across the front of both chutes leading up to the stunning V-restrainer. This noncompliance is being linked to NR EZI0809074928N/1 dated 7/25/2025. The establishment failed to comply with the regulatory requirements prescribed in 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). The Chicago District Office was notified, and a Notice of Reinstatement of Suspension was issued.

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness On 7/25/2025, at approximately 1250 hrs, SCSI REDACTED observed a boar dog sitting in the alleyway in front of Pen #824 across from the scale house building in the barn. SCSI REDACTED then observed a stunning operator place a captive bolt gun on the center of the animal’s forehead and deploy it. After the gun was discharged, the stunning operator let go of the captive bolt gun. The boar vocalized, and SCSI REDACTED observed that the bolt from the captive bolt gun was still stuck in the animal’s head, with the body of the gun hanging down in the animal’s face. The boar remained in a dog sitting position and began to move its head slightly back and forth and vocalized again. The stunning operator attempted to remove the bolt gun from the boar’s head but was unable to do so. He then turned and walked into the scale house area. SCSI REDACTED turned and called out to the other barn personnel to come to help with the animal. As the other two barn employees were arriving at the scale house, the stunning operator was exiting the scale house with the portable electrical stunner. The animal had laid down in a sternal position and was moving its head while looking around with the captive bolt gun still hanging from its head. An employee then applied the electrical stunning device to the animal, rendering it unconscious. A security electrical stun, as well as a security captive bolt to the temple area on the side of the head, were applied to the boar. SCSI REDACTED then notified Mr. REDACTED, Animal Handling Lead, that she was taking regulatory control over the slaughter line, and U.S. Rejected Tag Number B33451720 was placed across the front of both chutes leading up to the stunning V-restrainer. The Chicago District Office was notified, and a Notice of Suspension (NOS) was issued for the egregious event.

313.2

On 7/09/2024, at approximately 0610 hrs, SCSI REDACTED witnessed a live boar fall from the end of the shackle table into the blood trough on the slaughter floor. The upper belt portion of the shackle table is approximately 5.5 feet from the concrete floor, and the blood trough sits approximately one foot from the concrete floor. The boar almost immediately up righted itself and regained its footing. It quickly walked around the bends of the blood trough and eventually exited the end of the blood trough onto the concrete flooring. Establishment employees were able to guide the boar towards the back door, near the alternate stunning area, and out the door into the animal holding area outside of the building. The boar appeared to be uninjured. The above is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(a). SCSI REDACTED immediately asked Harvest Lead REDACTED to stop the transfer of carcasses, as well as Harvest Foreman REDACTED to stop stunning hogs. Additionally, SCSI REDACTED took further regulatory control action by placing U.S. Retained Tag No. B33451725 at the chute leading up to the restrainer/stunning area. Mr. REDACTED and Animal Handling Lead REDACTED were notified of this regulatory control action. After discussing this observation with the FSIS district office and establishment management, regulatory control action was relinquished at approximately 0630 hrs. REDACTED, Executive Vice President Pork Processing, was notified of this noncompliance.