Hawaii Beef Producers, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

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HATS Category II – Truck Unloading HATS Category VII – Slips and Falls At approximately 1209 hours, while I, the SPHV, was performing a Livestock Humane Handling HATS task II for truck unloading at the establishment’s receiving pens, the following noncompliance was observed. I observed cattle unloading from gooseneck trailer with two partitions into the holding pens. In the rear partition five cows unloaded excitedly at a pace faster than a walking pace without encouragement from personnel, some cattle were jumping out despite the trailer being of adequate/appropriate height. The sixth cow to offload lost footing and slipped and fell on the textured concrete landing with both front limbs bent at carpal joints (landing on knees). In the attempt to stand, both hind limbs went underneath the trailer, after a short struggle the cow freed itself from under the trailer and was able to stand. Both knees on front limbs and right hock had superficial abrasions that began to bleed due to the fall. The cow was ambulatory with mild right hind limb lameness, toe touching lame. No animal stepped on the fallen cow. The second partition from the same trailer unloaded the remainder of cattle excitedly into a separate holding pen with no animals losing their footing. Animals were not moved with a minimum of excitement or discomfort. No regulatory control action was taken. The Denver District Veterinary Medical Specialist was informed of the incident. The establishment was verbally notified that a written noncompliance report would be issued. There are no additional noncompliance records with the same root cause within the past 90 days. This establishment maintains a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock.