Otto's Meats, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.2

On February 24, 2025, at approximately 10:53am CSI REDACTED observed one steer and nine pigs as part of HATs Category III: Water and Feed availability of the humane handling task for Otto’s Meats, LLC, establishment M1403. At that time of observation, the steer had a barrel of water in its pen, but it was frozen over, and water was not accessible to drink. The pigs did not have access to any water in their pen. The electric water trough had not been turned on and the water trough was dry. This is a failure of 9 CFR 313.2 Handling of Livestock, more specifically regulation 9 CFR 313.2(e) Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens. There have been several instances where water availability has been cited as an issue for establishment M1403. On December 3, 2024, Dr. REDACTED issued Non-Compliance Report (NR) ACV1118122703N to the establishment for failure to have water available for five pigs. On January 9, 2025, MOI ACV3809014909G was given to establishment M1403 for a similar issue where animals did not have any access to water in their pen. The MOI referred to custom exempt animals not having any water available in their pen, but it was discussed with owner REDACTED at the time that all animals should have water available if animals will be held in the holding pen. At approximately 10:55am CSI REDACTED verbally informed owner REDACTED that the establishment will be receiving a written NR for failure of regulation 9 CFR 313.2. Mr. REDACTED provided water to both pens within minutes of being notified of the NR and restored compliance to the establishment; at approximately 11:00am both pens had accessible water. Mr. REDACTED verbally informed me that there was a miscommunication between the normal barn employee and him and thought that water was already in the pens when in fact it had not been supplied. As a preventative measure Mr. REDACTED expressed that the pens would be checked to make sure that water was accessible before the animals are unloaded into the holding pens.

313.2

On December 3rd 2024, at approximately 0945 hours while performing the HATS Category III task-Water and Feed Availability in the barn, FLS Dr. REDACTED and CSI REDACTED observed that there was a pen of five pigs without access to water. It was below freezing outside (in the 20’s (Degrees F) and very windy. The large barn doors were not yet in place and the pigs were near the open doors toward the back of the barn. The pen is equipped with a cattle automatic waterer and a metal tube with a nipple pig-type waterer. The cattle waterer had a greater than one inch thick layer of ice over it on both sides. One side had some water below the ice. While examining the waterer one of the pigs came over but due to the height and the angle the pig was unable to get its snout into the waterer. A light was shined in to look down the metal tube and it appeared empty. When the nipple was pushed no water came out. Establishment owner, REDACTED, was informed of the noncompliance. The pigs were provided a trough they can access with water, and a heating element will be added during the winter months.

313.2

At approximately 0630 hours on 10/1/2024, IIC REDACTED observed the following noncompliance with HATS Category VI - Electric Prod/Alternative Object Use. IIC REDACTED observed a steer inside the livestock restraining chute located near the back of the barn, which is used by the establishment to restrain animals to apply identification tags upon arrival. Supervisor REDACTED was attempting to open the chute to allow the steer into the alleyway to the holding pen, but the head catch remained closed. While Mr. REDACTED was trying to open the head catch, the farmer who delivered the steer was behind the animal, using a hand-held electric prod to get the animal to move forward. The animal vocalized and arched his back but did not and could not move forward due to the head catch door not opening. IIC REDACTED instructed Mr. REDACTED and the farmer to stop prodding the steer. The farmer applied the electric prod to the steer again, with the same result. IIC REDACTED repeated her instructions again, but the farmer continued to prod the steer another time. Each time, the farmer applied the prod for approximately 1 to 3 seconds causing the steer to vocalize and arch its back. IIC REDACTED instructed the farmer to stop prodding a third time, and the farmer finally stopped. Mr. REDACTED took the electric prod away from the farmer and released the steer from the head restrainer. Farmers will not be allowed to use electric prods on the establishment's property as their preventive measure going forward. IIC REDACTED informed Mr. REDACTED regarding the noncompliance with excessive prod usage. The establishment failed to move the steer from the unloading ramp to the holding pen with a minimum of excitement and discomfort and failed to use the electric prod as little as possible to minimize excitement. This represents noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(a) and 9 CFR 313.2(b). 313.2(a)-Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster thana normal walking speed. 313.2(b)-Electric prods, canvas slappers or other implements employed to drive animals shall be used as little as possible in order to minimize excitement and injury. Any use of such implements which, in the opinion of the inspector, is excessive, is prohibited. Electrical prods attached to AC house currant shall be reduced by a transformer to the lowest effective voltage not to exceed 50 volts AC

313.2

At approximately 0630 hours on 10/1/2024, IIC REDACTED observed the following noncompliance with HATS Category VI - Electric Prod/Alternative Object Use. IIC REDACTED observed a steer inside the livestock restraining chute located near the back of the barn, which is used by the establishment to restrain animals to apply identification tags upon arrival. Supervisor REDACTED was attempting to open the chute to allow the steer into the alleyway to the holding pen, but the head catch remained closed. While Mr. REDACTED was trying to open the restrainer, the farmer who delivered the steer was behind the animal, using a hand-held electric prod to get the animal to move forward. The animal vocalized and arched his back but did not move forward. IIC REDACTED instructed Mr. REDACTED and the farmer to stop prodding the steer. The farmer applied the electric prod to the steer again, with the same result. IIC REDACTED repeated her instructions again, but the farmer continued to prod the steer another time. Each time, the farmer applied the prod for approximately 1 to 3 seconds causing the steer to vocalize and arch its back. IIC REDACTED instructed the farmer to stop prodding a third time, and the farmer finally stopped. Mr. REDACTED took the electric prod away from the farmer and released the steer from the head restrainer IIC REDACTED informed Mr. REDACTED regarding the noncompliance with excessive prod usage. The establishment failed to move the steer from the unloading ramp to the holding pen with a minimum of excitement and discomfort and failed to use the electric prod as little as possible to minimize excitement. This represents noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(a) and 9 CFR 313.2(b). 313.2(a)-Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster thana normal walking speed. 313.2(b)-Electric prods, canvas slappers or other implements employed to drive animals shall be used as little as possible in order to minimize excitement and injury. Any use of such implements which, in the opinion of the inspector, is excessive, is prohibited. Electrical prods attached to AC house currant shall be reduced by a transformer to the lowest effective voltage not to exceed 50 volts AC