Park Ranch Meats LLC.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.1

On Friday June 13th at approximately 1130 hours while in the company of NDA inspector REDACTED I CSI REDACTED observed following Humane Handling noncompliance. When the last cow exited the knock box there was a gash approximately 6 inches in length on the front left side of the leg above the “elbow” joint that was not observed during antemortem inspection. After the hide was removed, we inspected the injury further and found it was about 3 inches deep. Investigating what had happened plant manager REDACTED showed me that in pen number 3 the animal had tried to escape and injured itself on the handle that opens/closes the pen door. I informed Mr. REDACTED that there will be a noncompliance issued. No tag was issued since the pen suffered damage and will have to be fixed before it can be used again. This is a noncompliance of 9CFR 313.1 Livestock pens, driveways and ramps. (a) 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.

313.1

On Friday June 13th at approximately 1130 hours while in the company of NDA inspector REDACTED and I CSI REDACTED observed following Humane Handling noncompliance. When the last cow exited the knock box there was a gash approximately 6 inches in length on the front left side of the leg above the “elbow” joint that was not observed during antemortem inspection. After the hide was removed, we inspected the injury further and found it was about 3 inches deep. Investigating what had happened plant manager REDACTED showed me that in pen number 3 the animal had tried to escape and injured itself on the handle that opens/closes the pen door. I informed Mr. REDACTED that there will be a noncompliance issued. No tag was issued since the pen suffered damage and will have to be removed and fixed before it can be used again. I also informed Mr. REDACTED that after the pen is fixed it will need to be reinspected, and measures need to be taken to avoid another incident, or a tag will be applied. This is a noncompliance of 9CFR 313.1 Livestock pens, driveways and ramps. (a) 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.

313.2

On March 7, 2025, at approximately 0820 hours, I SPHV Dr. REDACTED was conducting HATS Task inspections at Establishment M2071 when I observed the following noncompliance with HATS task # III water & feed availability. As I was walking through the pens, I observed that there was multiple beef held in 3 different pens. There was a young Holstein in pen 5 that had a water container with frozen water. The establishment uses the same pens to house both USDA and custom exempt livestock on the premises for both USDA and non-USDA slaughter. During my walkthrough none of the pens were identified as USDA or Custom Exempt. At approximately 0835 hours, I informed Plant Manager REDACTED that I would be issuing a noncompliance for the frozen water. A U.S. Rejected tag was not applied to the pen due to establishment managements immediate corrective actions to both break the ice in the water container and to open the gate holding the Holstein so that it could have access to water. The above is not in compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e). Identification of custom exempt & USDA livestock on the premises has been previously discussed in weekly meeting MOI# KNR3817082530G from August 30, 2024. This noncompliance will not be associated as there have been no other noncompliance’s of similar cause or circumstance issued within the last 90 days. Per 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. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down.

313.2

HATS III: Water/Feed, Stocking Density On December 3, 2024, at 0645 hours while doing ante mortem inspection, I CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. While doing ante mortem inspection of a steer in pen 4, which is located outside, I walked over to inspect the water as it was 18 degrees outside. When I checked the water, I observed that the water bucket was frozen solid. There was no available water for the steer. I also walked over to pen 5 which had 5 custom exempt beef and observed that the water was frozen solid. I went and informed Plant Manager REDACTED that none of the animals outside had access to water as all the water was frozen. This does not meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.2 (3) (e) which states: Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens.

313.1

HATS VII. Slips and Falls On November 26, 2024, at 1120 hours, while watching the establishment move cattle into the knock box, I CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. While observing establishment employee move two cows from pen 2 to the knock box, I observe an all black angus cow enter the chute from the pen. After the cow entered the chute, it immediately tried to turn around. When the cow attempted to turn around it slipped and landed on its front knees with its head turned touching its flank. The cow immediately tried to stand up but was unable to. The cow was stuck between pen 1 and 2. After approximately 30 seconds the cow was able to move its head and get up and reenter pen 2. The cow did not show any visible injuries and was able to move around in the pen without any issues. The employees left the black cow in the pen and moved a black angus with a white face into the knock box with no issues. At 1127 hours the employees attempted a second time to move the black angus cow into the pen. One of the employees entered the pen with a flag to try and move the cow. The cow immediately started to charge the employee. As the cow charged it lost traction on the floor and slipped hitting its front knee. As the cow charged the employee climbed the pen wall. The employee waited for the cow to get up before trying to move it again. At 1130 hours, the establishment employee and Plant Manager REDACTED attempted to move the black angus cow to knock box. The cow entered the chute and tried to turn around at the exact same place as earlier. Again, the cow slipped and fell on its front knees and had its head turned touching its flank. The cow was there for approximately 30 seconds but was unable to stand up. Immediately the establishment employee climbed the fence into pen 2, which was empty. The employee then opened pen 1 door to try and help the cow get up. Once pen door 1 was opened the cow was able to move its head and get up. The cow returned to pen 2 and did not show any visible signs of injury. On the fourth attempt the employee was able to move the cow into the knock box without the cow slipping or trying to turn around. I informed Plant Manager REDACTED that I would be issuing a Humane Handling NR for slips and falls. A review of noncompliance in the last 90 days shows one similar noncompliance: KNR3609100822N. This does not meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.1 which states: Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance.

313.1

HATS VII. Slips and Falls On October 21, 2024, at approximately 0905 hours, while observing a steer being moved into the knock box, I CSI REDACTED and PHV Dr. REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. While observing employees moving steers from pen 2 into the chute towards the knock box, Dr. REDACTED and I observed one of the steers slip on the floor in the pen and fall to the ground. The fall caused the steer to land on its stomach. The steer immediately got back up and moved into the chute. The floor of the pen was covered were in large amounts of manure. I informed Plant Manager REDACTED of the observations made Dr. REDACTED and I made. I informed him that an NR would be issued. At 1015 hours, I, CSI REDACTED observed the employees trying to move two very agitated steers into the chute from pen two. While the employees were trying to calmly move the steers, one of the steers began to run toward the chute. While the steer was running it lost its footing on the floor and slipped causing both of its front knees to hit the floor. The steer immediately got back up and continued to run into the chute. The floor of the pen was covered in large amounts of manure. I informed Mr. REDACTED of my additional observation. This does not meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.1 which states: Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance.