Greenbrier Meat Company, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.1

At approximately 0730 hours while observing antemortem and verifying HATS categories VIII and IX the following noncompliance with HATS category II was observed. The wooden partition between two of the pens where two beef were being held was broken down. Various broken boards and pieces of the partition were splintered and also created a place where an animal could get their leg caught. This is not compliant with 9 CFR 313.1(a). A USDA reject tag #46675271was placed on the gate leading into the pen with the broken partition. REDACTED, Owner was notified of the impending noncompliance.

313.16(a)(3)

On March 4th, 2025 while performing verification of HATS categories VIII and IX the following noncompliance with HATS category IX was observed. The establishment does not have a robust humane handling program in place. The normal protocol at this establishment is that all beef are stunned with a 22 magnum rifle and a security shot is used with all animals. The rifle is loaded with multiple rounds allowing for an immediate security shot. Mr. REDACTED was stunning the last inspected animal of the day, a large bull, and had done the initial stun and the security knock with the 22 magnum. As the IIC and I entered the floor from the designated safe area the animal appeared to be unconscious. Mr. REDACTED indicated that he wanted to do another security shot with the 22 magnum rifle to be on the safe side. The animal remained unconscious during this time. Mr. REDACTED then stated that he wasn't comfortable that the animal would remain unconscious and left the floor to get the 38 pistol up front. While Mr. REDACTED was out of the room the IIC and I observed the animal stand up. Mr. REDACTED then shot with the 38 pistol which rendered the animal unconscious. A security shot with the 38 pistol was also done. Mr. REDACTED was notified of the suspension due to the egregious noncompliance and reject tag #B38098464 was applied to the knocking area. Upon observation of the skull there were 2 bullet holes near the poll, one more at the front the skull in the correct position but it did not penetrate the skull and two further bullet holes which penetrated the skull in the correct position.

313.16(a)(1)

On 11/19/24, while conducting a Humane Handling task on HATS categories VIII and IX, I, CSI, REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance at approximately 0915 hours. While attempting to knock the tenth lamb of the day, Owner, REDACTED, delivered a shot with a 22-caliber rifle that did not render the lamb unconscious. There was an immediate secondary shot taken with the 22-caliber rifle that was already loaded and ready to shoot, that also did not render the lamb unconscious. A third shot was taken with the 22-caliber rifle, that was loaded and ready to shoot, immediately after the second shot that did render the lamb unconscious. The establishment uses a semi-automatic Ruger 22 long rifle, the rifle uses a 10-round clip (magazine) that allows the rifle to 10 continuous shots and auto cycles the round into the chamber after the first round fired. This is how the establishment had the second and third shot immediately ready to fire after the two failed knocks. Upon inspection of the head, there was two bullet holes in an appropriate knocking location and one bullet hole that was approximately 1 1/2 inches low and approximately 1 inch to the left, just over the left eye of the lamb. There was no vocalization or loss of footing observed during the time between the first gunshot and the third gunshot. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) because the animal must be rendered unconscious after the first gunshot. Mr. REDACTED was notified of the non-compliance. This non-compliance will be associated with NR#XQC5510085213N-1, issued on 09/05/24.

313.2

On 10/29/24, while conducting a Humane Handling task on HATS categories III and IV, I, CSI, REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance at approximately 0710 hours. While preforming Anti-Mortem inspection, it was observed that the far-right pen, containing 8 beef, and the second to right pen, containing 4 hogs and 1 beef, did not have any access to available water. Water needs to be available to livestock at all times after the animals are on official premises. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.2. REDACTED Owner, was notified of this non-compliance. Mr. REDACTED took immediate actions to get water to those pens and was verified by USDA personnel at 0720 hours.