G.G. RUPPERSBERGER & SONS INC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.2

On Thursday September 11, 2025 at approximately 0620 hours, while conducting the Ante Mortem HATS task IPP observed the following Non-Compliance: approximately three (3) beef in pen five (5) and approximately twenty (20) beef in pen four (4) of the barn held without access to water. While conducting Ante-Mortem inspection, IPP observed that the water trough between pens four (4) and five (5) in the barn had no visible water level. Upon further inspection, IPP observed that the water trough that supplies water to both pen four (4) and five (5) was empty of water and the water line that is used to fill the trough was not on. Both pens gain access to water via the trough and neither pen had access to water in any other part of the barn. This is a violation of Regulation 9CFR 313.2(e) which states: “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed.” IPP immediately notified Slaughter Manager REDACTED of the noncompliance. Mr. REDACTED took immediate corrective action and turned on the water line to the tough. IPP verified that water was running freely into the trough area for animals to access. Mr. REDACTED, President/General Manager, is being notified through this non-compliance report of the establishment's failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9CFR 313.2(e).

313.2

On Friday August 1, 2025 at approximately 0620 hours, while conducting the Ante Mortem HATS task IPP observed the following Non-Compliance: four (4) beef in pen three (3) of the barn held without access to water. While conducting Ante-Mortem inspection, IPP observed four (4) cows being held in pen three (3) of the establishment’s barn. Upon further inspection IPP observed that the water bucket in pen three (3) was empty. Both doors to the pen were closed and latched separating the four (4) animals from the adjacent pen four (4) which was observed to have water access for animals. Due to the designated bucket being empty and the gate being latched and closed between pen three (3) and four (4) the animals in question had no access to water. This is a violation of Regulation 9CFR 313.2(e) which states: “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed.” At approximately 0625 hours, IPP informed Slaughter Manager Mr. REDACTED of the non-compliance. IPP observed Mr. REDACTED take corrective actions by filling the water bucket in pen three (3) and opening the gate between pen three (3) and four (4) to allow animals to pass freely between pens for water access. Mr. REDACTED, President/General Manager, is being notified through this non-compliance report of the establishment's failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9CFR 313.2(e).

313.15(a)(1)

On 7/29/2025, at approximately 0705 hours, the in plant CSI was notified by the in plant Food Inspector, of a noncompliance related to HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness. The below non-compliance was observed: The food inspector observed ineffective stunning attempts on a steer using a 0.25 caliber captive bolt. The initial shot failed to render the animal unconscious, prompting the immediate administration of a second shot, which additionally failed to render the animal unconscious. The designated plant employee then immediately administrated a third shot which successfully rendered the animal unconscious. The in plant CSI immediately tagged the knock box with U.S. retained tag NO. B-45 309061 and notified Mr. REDACTED, Slaughter Manager, of the noncompliance. Mr. REDACTED confirmed that the employee had made three stunning attempts. At approximately 0715 hours the in-plant CSI notified their direct supervisor to gain additional guidance on the situation. The in plant CSI verified while in discussion with supervision that during the skinning and head removal process, three holes were directly observed in the skull. The first hole was located on the midline about 2.5 inches below the targeted range, the second hole was positioned approximately 1 inch above the first hole. The third hole was with in the targeted area. Upon further verification from FSIS supervision that actions taken were non-egregious, at approximately 0730 hours the in-plant CSI released regulatory control of the knock box and removed retained tag NO. B-45 309061. This is a violation of regulation 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort." Mr. REDACTED, President/General Manager is being notified through this non-compliance report of the establishment’s failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).

313.2

On Monday June 2, 2025, at approximately 0620 hours, while conducting the Ante Mortem HATS task IPP observed the following Non-Compliance: two cows in the barn area held in a pen without access to water. This is a direct violation of Regulation 313.2 (e) which states: Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. While conducting Ante-Mortem inspection, CSI REDACTED observed two (2) cows held separately from the other cows in the barn. Upon further inspection to ensure mobility, ante-mortem handling, water supply etc. CSI REDACTED observed that these animals were being held in a small pen off the truck unloading ramp/shoot. Both doors to the pen were closed and latched separating the two (2) cows from the larger adjacent pen which was empty of any animals. The adjacent larger pen did have what appeared to be fresh clean water, however due to the gate being latched the two (2) cows in question did not have access to the water supply. At approximately 0625 hours, CSI REDACTED asked a plant employee when these two (2) animals had been received on the premise. The employee was not sure of when the animals were received and reached out to Plant Manager REDACTED for more information. REDACTED was present in the barn area at approximately 0630 hours where CSI REDACTED then discussed the animal receiving and lack of water accessibility with him. Mr. REDACTED stated that the animals had been received earlier in the morning on Monday, June 2, 2025. CSI REDACTED notified Mr. REDACTED that animals on premise must always have access to water but since the animals had been here less than 24 hours, they did not require feed. IPP observed Mr. REDACTED open the latch between pens to grant the two (2) cows access to the fresh water supply. IPP then notified Mr. REDACTED of the Non-Compliance.

313.15(a)(1)

On 1/9/2025, at approximately 0747 hours, I, CSI REDACTED, was notified by Mr. REDACTED, Food Inspector, of a noncompliance related to HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness. Mr. REDACTED observed an ineffective stunning attempt on a cow using a 0.25 caliber captive bolt. The initial shot failed to render the animal unconscious, prompting the immediate administration of a second shot, which successfully rendered the cow unconscious. I immediately notified Mr. REDACTED, Plant Manager, of the noncompliance, and he confirmed that the employee had performed two stunning attempts. Upon further inspection during the skinning and head removal process, I observed two holes in the skull. The first hole was located on the midline and the second hole was positioned about 2.5 inches above the first hole, on the middle side of the skull. This is noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort."