Wagner Meats, LLC.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Wagner Meats, LLC. slaughterhouse establishment in 2025.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2025.
313.16(a)(1)
On 12/9/24 at approximately 7:40AM while performing a Humane Handling Verification Task at Wagner Meats, IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance with HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness. An agitated black Angus heifer walked into the knock box and caught in the head catch. The establishment employee went to take his first knock with the .22 caliber rifle. The heifer moved its head at the time of the shot. The standing heifer continued to move its head. The establishment employee immediately took a second shot with the same rifle, in which the animal dropped and was rendered unconscious. The animal was then hoisted, stuck, and bled out. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull. Two holes were at midline one below the desired location and another hole in the desired location. REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance immediately as he was on the floor when the noncompliance occurred. Taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9CFR 313.16(a)(1), which states: "The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal with a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort."
