Kleemeyer & Merkel Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.30(a)(4)

On 11/6/2024 at approximately 10:55 am, I, SPHV REDACTED, while observing calf slaughter, witnessed establishment employees hoist what was later determined to be an electrically stunned calf onto the kill floor from the knock box and cut its neck. Approximately 30 seconds after the calf was pushed down the rail while bleeding out, I observed the calf rhythmically breathing. At this point, I bent down to check the eyes for signs of eye tracking, but did not observe any. Shortly after, the calf began to thrash, paddle, and kick its limbs, then exhibited a righting reflex where it repeatedly lifted and held its head up for an extended period of time. The calf also repeatedly extended its front legs as if to place them on the ground, all of which continued for at least 20 seconds. I alerted establishment personnel that the animal had returned to consciousness and a corrective action should be taken. No establishment employee on the kill floor responded to or acted on my requests by applying a corrective action, but instead went to retrieve Mr REDACTED, kill floor manager. This is in noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.30(a)(4), which states: The stunned animal shall remain in a state of surgical anesthesia through shackling, sticking, and bleeding. I then asked CSI REDACTED to tag the knock box. Once REDACTED handed me a reject tag, kill floor manager Mr. REDACTED entered the kill floor and asked me what was going on. At this point, the calf had stopped moving, and was no longer exhibiting a righting reflex or rhythmic breathing. I repeated that I believed the animal had returned to consciousness earlier. He then tested the animal's corneal reflex and stated that it appeared unconscious to him. After a few seconds of discussion about my observations, he made an additional cut to the animal's neck in an attempt tofurther facilitate bleeding. Mr. REDACTED asked if they could continue with their process and I stated that they could finish processing the animals they had already stunned or killed, but should not kill any more animals for the time being. The tan U.S. rejected tag 487852 was applied to the knock box. The establishment has a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place, but failed to apply a corrective action once an animal returned to consciousness in accordance with the plan. The establishment's HACCP plan for hide-off calf slaughter has captive bolt listed as their stunning method, but instead the establishment used electrical stunning to render the calf in question unconscious, which does not adhere to the documented protocols. Mr. REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance and suspension at 3:51 p.m. on 11/6/2024.

313.1

On October 18, 2024, at approximately 10:45 am, I SPHV REDACTED, during observation of handling and stunning of swine, witnessed multiple hogs slip and fall on the concrete floor in both the walkway parallel to the pen located under the sheep and goat loft, and inside the pen itself. The animals all rose independently and had no apparent injuries. It should be noted that the concrete floor of the pen was wet with what appeared to be fecal material and spilled water. No traction material was present in the pen. I verbally notified Mr.REDACTED (President/General Manager) of the regulatory noncompliance with 9CFR 313.1(b): Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Mr. REDACTED stated that he would ensure straw was spread in the bottom of the pen to provide the animals with traction.