New Angus, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.2,313.15(a)(2)

On 9/5/2025, at approximately 1520 hours, IPP was performing Livestock Humane Handling task, HATS category IX Return to Conscious when he observed a noncompliance with HATS category VII Observation for slips and falls, and HATS category VI Electric Prod or Implement use. IPP was near the restrainer when a commotion was heard at the restrainer. IPP turned their attention to the commotion and observed a live beef steer coming down the decline belt from the Restrainer. There was also an effectively stunned beef steer on the belt with the live steer. When near the bottom of the belt, the live steer leaped from the belt onto the floor of the pit. The floor of the pit has a section used to collect blood and other liquid waste that is approximately a foot lower than the rest of the floor and the animal went down hard but appeared to be uninjured from the fall. IPP looked for signs of an ineffective stun but could not see any signs of an injury. Establishment personnel stopped operations in the area and gathered hand-held captive bolt stunning devices. The animal was alert but not overly excited. The animal did not vocalize or show any signs of distress. Establishment personnel positioned themselves and waited for the animal to calm down and come close enough to be stunned effectively on the first attempt. A second security stun was applied to the animal using a hand-held captive bolt device. The drop from the belly belt in the restrainer to the decline belt is approximately two feet. The drop from the belt to the floor of the pit is approximately two feet, but there is a bar that runs across the bottom of the belt that adds approximately another foot to the height of the fall. The steer was on its feet when it jumped off the belt and over the bar. It landed in the lower section of the pit for a total of approximately four feet of drop. REDACTED, Stockyard Lead, and REDACTED, HACCP Coordinator, were informed of the noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(a) and 9 CFR 313.15(a)(2). After adequate corrective actions were provided, the establishment was allowed to continue operations.

313.2

At 0915 hours on 6/20/2025, while observing animals during ante-mortem inspection and verifying HATS Category III for food and water, IPP identified that there was no accessible water in livestock pen #2. The drinker pan was on top of the concrete receptacle denying access to water. The cattle were moved to a different pen where several went directly to the receptacle and drank water. Barn Supervisor REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance with 9CFR313.2(e) which requires animals to have access to water in all holding pens. Although maintenance was working on the drinker, the Regulation is clear that cattle shall have access to water at all times. Corrective actions were in progress so no US Reject Tags were applied.