National Beef Packing Co., L.L.C.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 11:40am I was reviewing stunning success and after a steer (or heifer) was advanced out of the tunnel by the operator, he positioned the pneumatic stunner, and I heard it discharge. I could see blood on this animal’s forehead where the stunner had impacted the animal, but this animal continued to voluntarily shake its head in a voluntary, conscious effort. I also observed this animal exhibit a normal focused look where both eyes were blinking voluntarily. This animal appeared to be totally conscious. The stun operator then retrieved a handheld captive bolt device, the normal back-up weapon for this station and proceeded to apply a second stun. Immediately after the second stun attempt this animal dropped its head and appeared to be in a tonic seizure. There were no other signs of consciousness, and the harvest proceeded uneventfully after the stun failure. The knock box was not tagged up because the immediate re-stun with a handheld captive bolt weapon was successful. Supervisor REDACTED and REDACTED was informed of the non-compliance Linked with NR LLG5611011206N which correct actions are still pending.

313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 11:30 am while observing stunning (Category VIII--Stunning Effectiveness), I observed the following noncompliance: The knocking employee was using the compressed air stunning device. I observed an attempted knock as verified by the sound of the compressed air knocking device discharging, the air movement at the knocking interface, and the displaced hair at the knocking location. The knock location appeared to be significantly lower on the head than the targeted location for a successful stun. The animal did not exhibit any of the normal physiological reposes to a successful captive bolt stun and continued to track the stunning device with its eyes. The employee immediately administered a second stun which rendered the animal unconscious. The employee then removed himself as the primary stunning employee. Area Supervisor REDACTED was present in the area and was notified of the noncompliance. The animal was later observed on the slaughter line and confirmed that one of the knocks was outside of the targeted stunning area.