Creekstone Farms Premium Beef LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.15(a)(3)

On April 7, 2025, at approximately 0653 hours I (CSI REDACTED), while performing humane handling procedures from the cattle sticker platform (HATS Category IX – Conscious Animals on the Rail), observed the following noncompliance. I observed the stickers stop the production line to perform an additional knock on a hanging beef. The shackled animal was attempting to right itself by lifting its head straight up over its back. Its body was stiff, with an arched back and was breathing rhythmically. The tongue was not hanging out at this time. The employees performing the sticking grabbed the backup captive bolt device and attempted to knock the animal. However, the device failed to function properly, on two stunning attempts, to render the animal insensible. The lead “red hat” had to then leave the sticker area and travel down two flights of stairs, walk over to the cattle restrainer, grabbed the backup handheld knocking gun, and then back to the sticker area to knock the animal. This last stunning attempt was successful in rendering the animal unconscious. I immediately summoned for my supervisor, SVMO Dr. REDACTED, to the area and informed him about my observations. Harvest floor superintendent REDACTED and supervisor REDACTED were in the area and observed the described humane handling issue. Dr. REDACTED informed the establishment to clear the snake alley from all animals and to stop knocking after that. I advised the establishment that I was implementing a regulatory control action to stop the slaughter of animals but allowed all stunned animals to move through the slaughter process. I place U.S. Reject tag number B-45797437 on the knock box to prevent animals from entering the restrainer. The establishment was unsuccessful in meeting the requirements of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(3) of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Regulations.