Hillsdale County Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 1030 hours on 9/23/25, I, CSI REDACTED while performing a postmortem viscera inspection task of a beef carcass on the slaughter floor, observed the following noncompliance during the stunning process of a ram. After hearing a single shot from the handheld captive bolt device that was administered by a plant employee, I witnessed the ram inside the stunning chute was still standing and conscious. A second slaughter employee was summoned and handed the captive bolt gun to reload and promptly administered a second shot, rendering the animal unconscious. The slaughter floor employee then stuck the ram to initiate the bleeding process. Both stunning attempts made contact with the head of the ram. This is in 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 animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.” I notified Plant Owner REDACTED of my findings and that I would be issuing a noncompliance report.

313.2

HATS Category III- Water and Feed Availability HATS Category IV- Ante-Mortem Inspection At approximately 0752 hours on February 18, 2025, I, Inspector REDACTED, was informed the establishment was ready for antemortem inspection by employee REDACTED. Upon entering the barn, I observed the following conditions: I observed 1 steer and 1 heifer in pen #3. Upon further inspection of the pen, the water trough had a significant amount of dirt and debris piled inside the waterer and no fresh water available to the animals. I notified Mr. REDACTED of the empty water trough and explained this is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(e)- Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. Mr. REDACTED immediately placed fresh water in the pen. I also notified REDACTED (Food Safety Manager) of the noncompliance, and I would be issuing a NR. Upon Further review of previous noncompliance records, inspection personnel documented a similar non-compliance, NR # RMN5909013116 dated 01/16/2025. To date, establishment management has not responded to that NR.

313.2

HATS Category I - Inclement Weather HATS Category III - Water and Feed Availability HATS Category IV- Ante-Mortem Inspection At approximately 0725 hours on January 16, 2025, I, Inspector REDACTED, was informed the establishment was ready for antemortem inspection by employee REDACTED. Upon entering the barn, I observed the following conditions: I observed 5 lambs in pen #4. Upon further inspection of the pen, the water trough had a solid ice block inside it with no fresh water available to the animals. I also observed the water in pen #3 was frozen solid as well. There was one head of cattle in pen #3. I notified Mr. REDACTED of the frozen water troughs and explained this is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(e)- Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. Mr. REDACTED said the heaters must have stopped working and immediately placed fresh water in both pens. I also notified REDACTED (Food Safety Manager) of the Noncompliance and I would be issuing a NR.

313.1

HATS Category IV handling during ante-mortem inspection On November 15, 2024, at approximately 0800 hours, during the annual Humane Handling verification visit, the observations for HATS Category IV Handling During Ante Mortem Inspection, the following noncompliance was noticed. A broken wooden board approximately 3 feet from the ground between pen 2. and 3. This board was approximately 18 inches in length with jagged sharp edges. The board was protruding into pen # 2 by several inches (approximately 3-5 inches), potentially posing a risk of injury or discomfort to the animals. There were two cattle in pen # 2 at the time of observation. I notified Supervisor REDACTED, and establishment employee REDACTED of the noncompliance and that a noncompliance record (NR) would be issued. Upon notification of the noncompliance, Mr. REDACTED took immediate corrective actions by removing the broken board from the pen. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.1(a) "Livestock pens, driveways and ramps. Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects which may, in the opinion of the inspector, cause injury or pain to the animals. Loose boards splintered or broken planking, and unnecessary openings where the head, feet, or legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired."