Powell Meat Company LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.1

HATS Category VII: Slips and Falls On 5/2/2025, at approximately 0815 hours, I CSI REDACTED was notified that an Angus heifer slipped and fell in the alleyway while personnel were moving it from the holding pen to the stunning chute. The heifer was observed down and unable to rise. I rejected the antemortem alleyway with US Reject Tag #B45619563. Approximately at 0712 the heifer was presented for USDA inspection, it was ambulatory, no abnormalities were observed and passed for slaughter. The flooring is concrete, and the heifer had gone down at a turn in the alleyway. It appeared the concrete was wet and slick at the approach to the turn. Personnel attempted to calmly encourage the heifer to rise, and the animal was unable to obtain adequate footing in the hind end to rise at that narrow angle in the alleyway. The establishment elected to stun the animal in the alleyway rendering it immediately unconscious. The establishment took corrective actions which included cleaning and drying the concrete floor with a squeegee in the alleyway. No more animals were presented for USDA inspection. Alleyway remains rejected with US Reject Tag #B45619563 for DVMO review and observation. I notified REDACTED (Owner) that a non-compliance will be documented. I consulted with Dr. REDACTED (DVMO) and notified Mr. REDACTED the heifer would be condemned as non-ambulatory disabled. The establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.1(b). This Noncompliance is associated to NR-MCU1212021605/1N dated 2/5/2025 due to the fall of an angus steer in the same alleyway and the steer was not able to rise due to inadequate footing. Corrective actions were either ineffective or not implemented.

313.1

HATS Category VII: Slips and Falls On 2/5/2025, at approximately 0845 hours, I CSI REDACTED was notified that an Angus steer slipped and fell in the alleyway while personnel were moving it from the holding pen to the stunning chute. The steer was observed down and unable to rise. I rejected the antemortem alleyway with US Reject Tag #B24173743. I notified, Dr. REDACTED (DVMO) to perform a disposition. Antemortem inspection was conducted on this steer at approximately 0750 hours. During antemortem inspection, the steer was ambulatory, no abnormalities were observed and passed for slaughter. At approximately 0900 hours, Dr. REDACTED evaluated the situation and examined the down steer. The flooring is concrete, and the steer had gone down at a turn in the alleyway. It appeared the concrete was wet and slick at the approach to the turn. Personnel attempted to calmly encourage the steer to rise, and the animal was unable to obtain adequate footing in the hind end to rise at that narrow angle in the alleyway. It was determined the facility design and inadequate footing was preventing the steer from rising. No abnormalities were noted on examination. The establishment elected to stun the animal in the alleyway rendering it immediately unconscious. The establishment took corrective actions which included drying the concrete with a squeegee and eliminating the turn in the alleyway. Dr. REDACTED allowed the establishment to move the second steer under USDA inspection to verify the implementation of the corrective actions were effective. The steer walked in a calm manner from the pen to knock box and no slipping was observed. I removed US Reject Tag #B24173743 at approximately 1017 hours. I notified REDACTED and REDACTED (Owner) that a non-compliance will be documented. The establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.1(b). This noncompliance is not associated with any recent noncompliance.