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*THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AN INSPECTOR!*
From the USDA Notice of Suspension issued October 30, 2024:
The decision to institute this enforcement action is in accordance with Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Rules of Practice 500.3(b), based on the determination that your establishment did not handle or slaughter animals humanely. The evidence demonstrates failure to comply with the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 603), the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), and the regulato1y requirements (9 CFR Prut 313).
*THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AN INSPECTOR!*
*THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AN INSPECTOR!*
AK Farmers: Was this YOUR Animal Tortured Before Merciful Dispatch?
Basis for the suspension:
On 10/20/23, at approximately 0858am, I observed the stun operator at Alaska Meat Packers Inc. ineffectively stun a cow with a hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device in the stun box without a head catch. After the first ineffective stun attempt, I observed the cow lying down in the stun box with its head held upright, showing signs of controlled movement and labored breathing. The stun operator attempted to immediately stun the cow a second time with the backup HHCB device, which I observed the stun operator load, but was unable to reach the cow while leaning over the stun box. After several attempts to get clear placement, the stun operator had another employee hold his legs so he could lean over into the stun box. At approximately 0902am, stun operator applied the second stun attempt which was also ineffective. After the ineffective second stun, the cow began vocalizing. A third stun attempt was applied with one of the reloaded HHCB devices at approximately 0904am. This attempt was also ineffective as the cow continued vocalizing, rhythmic heavy breathing and moving around slightly within the stun box while still holding its head up. After the third ineffective attempt, Ms. Sanders asked the FSIS inspection for advice and/or input on whether the plant should use their firearm instead; to which our inspection team stated, yes please use the firearm. At approximately 0905am, establishment management vacated the slaughter floor to retrieve a firearm (pistol) utilizing .38 special cartridges. Everyone cleared from the slaughter floor and went to a safe location into the hallway/breakroom. At approximately 0908am, the stun operator attempted to stun the cow for the fourth time with the firearm. The attempt was ineffective as the cow continued vocalizing. I continued waiting in the hall for another (fifth) attempt, then an employee came out and informed everyone that the animal was dead. When I walked back onto the slaughter floor at approximately 09:10 am, I observed the cow to already be shackled and hoisted up on the rail, with its neck slit and bleeding out. The animal no longer showed signs of being conscious. At approximately 0913am, I applied U.S. Reject tag to the stun box with U.S. Rejected Tag NO. B35943003. The establishment management was verbally informed of the forthcoming noncompliance. Upon inspection of the dressed head, three penetrating holes were observed, which were angled into the sinuses.
[1] Read the full report in References.
*THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AN INSPECTOR!*
How many animals has this operation tortured under its USDA authority in three years and how can it be possible after all this time that the operators were not able to do a routine dispatch of this animal before a USDA Inspector?
Recent Notice the Plant Might Close
September 27, 2024:
[2] Alaska News Farce did a superficial story on this with the spokesman for the Ag Bureau telling the lie that it was closing because of cost of feed. Link to that story in References
The public notice that this plant might be closing occurred as the owner company faced annual lease payment TO THE EXCLUSIVE OWNER Greg Giannulis, due November 9, 2024. General concern was generated on social media among AK agriculture interests at the prospect of losing this slaughterhouse, when a person named Ben Adams announced he had purchased the plant and would be running it!
Not to Worry Alaskan Rubes–
Governor Dunleavy has an Ag Task Force!
[3] Legislative Task Force to Assure Alaska Food Security DONN LISTON February 27, 2024
*THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AN INSPECTOR!*
Mr. Adams is a rare attorney who lies. Perhaps four years of raising cattle in Alaska has damaged his moral compass. Mr. Adams has not purchased the Palmer plant. Mr. Adams might qualify as a Mark for Borden as a result of all his statements of desperation online. This writer has first-hand knowledge of how that works. Maybe Adams should consider how much worse his situation COULD be.
The Palmer Plant remains in full ownership of Giannulis, but from reading Adams’ voluminous posting about the travails of farming in Alaska, any rational person would conclude Mr. Adams has all he can manage now. Still Mr. Adams continued to insist he bought and took possession of the plant until he recently went radio silent.
[4] How Scammers Prey on the Elderly DONN LISTON jUNE 26, 2024
FACT: The physical plant was purchased from the State of Alaska by Greg Giannulis in 2017. AK Entertainment News cannot figure that out. Giannulis invested heavily in upgrades and made a profit producing beef and pork for Alaskans with that facility over four years without any government subsidy. Giannulis had a vision for promoting Alaska Food Security for Alaskans beginning with supplying enough animals to continue making this plant profitable at 350-700 animals processed in a quality facility per week.
True AK Food Security would require 2,000-4,000 Animals/Mo
Upon notifying legislators and top members of the Dunleavy Administration of this vision to move Alaska toward TRUE FOOD SECURITY , Giannulis learned because some $3-$4 Billion is sent from Alaska to Seattle for beef, pork and chicken annually, it ain’t going to happen! Alaska public officials blow smoke about AK Food Security during campaigns but once elected in districts around the state none are EVER going to do anything in Backwater Juneau to reduce that $gravy train$ to Seattle.
[5] Food Security Scam Hurts Alaskans DONN LISTON October 16, 2024
When Giannulis leased the plant to Elsberry/Borden dba Alaska Meat Packers, Inc. he never imagined they would torture animals through incompetence in the slaughter process. Now he must evaluate the deferred maintenance he has likely suffered, as well. According to the USDA report the Plant Manager Lacy Sanders sought instruction on how to finish off the injured bleating animal pinned in the Stun Box with a .38 pistol.
*THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF AN INSPECTOR!*
Elsberry/Borden returned to being subsidized by the State of Alaska Department of Corrections as it had been before it was sold to Giannulis. The State sold it because it was a money pit. This writer personally witnessed Borden making cold calls of persons likely to consider purchasing the Palmer slaughterhouse when he first gained listings for this and other properties from Giannulis,.
Today Elsberrys have reportedly sold out of their hog farm. They are partners with a guy who did a dirty deal to get into an ownership position with an Alaska Corporation having nothing of true value. This writer also has experience with Borden setting me up using the same scam. Had Borden sold the facility to a worthy buyer and took an honest commission Alaska would be in a better position for food security. Instead, Alaska Meat Packers, Inc. has brought public shame to the MatSu Ag Community.
How COULD that have Happened?
Meanwhile, Attorney/Farmer Adams with 18 acres in Soldotna under the name 4T%, appears to have just thrown in with Elsberry/Borden in time to make the lease on the plant that no longer has a USDA stamp.
Adams is Named President–
but has ZERO Ownership Interest in the Company
Too bad the State of Alaska doesn’t have an Attorney General who does anything but the Governor’s vanity work. Borden violated me as a 60-year Alaskan to the point that I feared for my life in my own Eagle River home after he burglarized it and stole a number of items including my RING Security System to make sure I knew I was never again safe alone there. He should have been investigated a long time ago but Alaska Courts Coddle Criminals.
Borden and his mother are long time contributors to Mike Dunleavy’s political career.
Moral: When an Alaskan politician or bureaucrat says the two words “food security” in your presence be careful not to bend over until they are gone.
References:
[1] Read the Full USDA Report:
[2] Alaska News Farce Link in References
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/09/27/lone-usda-certified-meat-processing-plant-southcentral-close-coming-months/
[3] Legislative Task Force to Assure Alaska Food Security DONN LISTON February 27, 2024
https://donnliston.net/2024/02/legislative-task-force-to-assure-alaska-food-security/
[4] How Scammers Prey on the Elderly DONN LISTON June 26, 2024
https://donnliston.net/2024/06/how-scammers-prey-on-the-elderly/
[5] Food Security Scam Hurts Alaskans DONN LISTON October 16, 2024
https://donnliston.net/2024/10/food-security-scam-hurts-alaskans/
Donn,
per Ben Adams in which I live less than a half mile from his Ranch I do know he did infact buye the Slaughter house! Another unless you have been a farmer many actuations towards Ben are Highly False!! If you have Never been a Farmer you have No Idea how it works!! The daily operation is brutal and stressful needless to say very Tiresome!! look just like in Hunting Not Every Animal dies after One Shot!! now could the daughter house done things a lil different sure but who knows what the protocol is/was ?? what the USDA’s protocol is/was??
so come on Donn why are you Bashing Ben when you have Zero Facts!! are you part of PETA????
The Palmer slaughterhouse is still owned lock, stock and barrel by Greg Giannulis. Listing Agent, Bill Borden dba High Caliber Realty, Inc. (sic) lied when he said he SOLD it to Todd Elsberry, who has reportedly stated he has lost some $300,000 over 3 years of his involvement in this scam by Bordon–who set up the confidence scheme to entangle Elsberry at almost zero expense to himself.
An honorable Realtor would have found a buyer who could afford this facility instead of setting up this goat-rope to try and get more than an honest commission. If Alaska had a State attorney general who was more than the governor’s henchman this matter of consequence to ALL Alaskans would be under investigation and prosecuted.
Elsberry has been harmed and needs to recover what he has lost from Borden setting him up. Borden wants HIS share, too. Now, Cheechako Adams has joined the party pretending to buy the facility, just as Borden pretended to sell it previously to Elsberry. I ask you: What will this do for Alaska Food Security if a marginally competent farmer next takes over a losing slaughterhouse business that mostly slaughters animals to be processed elsewhere? Once they get the USDA stamp for slaughter few stick around, but Adams is likely planning to put a bunch of his cattle through the plant.
Adams is Borden’s new fish on the line.
Aa President, Adams owns blue sky in Alaska Meat Processors. He has zero ownership in a paper corporation set up by Bordon to cut himself into the lease deal with Elsberry and not revealing his own 14% interest in the offer presented to the owner, Giannulis, who had trusted Borden. Ben was a fat cat attorney from California who bought himself an Alaska Adventure cattle ranch. Anybody who has followed Mr. Adams’ postings can see for themselves he is in over his head, but now he has some $800K in State loans, too.
I have a high regard for Alaska food producers like Elsberry who was once identified as the largest pork producer in Alaska, but I don’t have to be a farmer myself to see when scammers exploit true Alaskans by underhanded business dealings, they further set back Alaska Food Security.
Bordon could care less about Alaskans. Gov. Dunleavy is best friends of Bordens and fully aware of their malevolence–or the AG would have already announced launching an investigation.