View the Boxed Beef and Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report
Types of Enforcement Actions
Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD), part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program (FTPP), monitors industry activities and conducts regulatory compliance reviews and investigations to determine whether subject persons and firms are complying with the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) and regulations. Violations are resolved according to their seriousness as follows:
- Notice of Violations - Form giving regulated entities official notice of the alleged violations found. PSD seeks correction of violations, when practical, without resorting to legal proceedings.
- Stipulation Agreements - Legal agreement citing violation(s) found, the civil penalty amount PSD will accept in settlement of the alleged violation(s) without pursuing a formal action, and a statement for signature by the alleged violator, agreeing to pay the civil penalty and waive the right to a hearing.
- Administrative Actions - Legal actions taken within USDA. AMS’ FTPP files a complaint, alleging specific violations, against a firm or individual. The accused party has a right to a hearing before an administrative law judge. The parties may appeal the judge's decision to the USDA Judicial Officer. The accused party may appeal the Judicial Officer's ruling to a U.S. Appeals Court, and further to the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Court Actions – USDA may take legal action through the Justice Department, in a U.S. District Court, against those subject to the P&S Act.
The resolutions of many legal actions are judicial opinions and orders.
Penalties for violations can include:
- Cease and desist orders;
- Suspension of business operations subject to the P&S Act (only applicable to registered market agencies and dealers);
- Civil penalties up to a maximum of $85,150 per violation of the poultry trust provisions, and $29,270 per violation of the other provisions in the P&S Act and regulations; and/or
- Permanent injunctions, fines, and jail sentences for actions taken through the Justice Department.
Suspension Listing
PSD publishes a list of suspended businesses and individuals, which we update monthly. Suspended businesses and individuals are prohibited from registering or conducting business subject to registration while the suspension is in effect (9 CFR §201.11). Failure to comply with a suspension order has resulted in additional administrative actions or court actions to enforce continuing violations and violations of a previous Secretary’s order.
The most common reasons PSD will seek a suspension as a sanction against a registered business or individual are for failure to pay for livestock or operating while insolvent. Accordingly, when you do business with suspended businesses and individuals, you do so at your own risk.
Administrative Actions
The Office of the Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) publishes the official copy of decisions in legal actions taken with USDA. For your convenience, we provide links below to the most recent decisions issued under the Packers and Stockyards Act, organized alphabetically by the name of the first respondent (accused party) within the fiscal year FTPP initiated the action for PSD:
2020
- Barton, Bill d.b.a. Barton Cattle Company (D-20-J-0138) – Default 10/07/2020
- Colby Livestock Auction, LLC; and Wilson, Leland (D-20-J-0024 and 20-J-0025) – Consent (06/09/2020) (pdf)
- Downey, Alvin E. dba CBI Livestock Brokers (D-20-J-0130) – Consent (06/04/2020) (pdf)
- Frey Cattle Company, Inc. and Halfmann, Alan (D-20-J-0131 and 20-J-0132) – Consent 10/14/2020 (pdf)
- Gregory, Willis B (D-20-J-0030) – Default (05/12/2020) (pdf)
- H&H Cattle Services, LLC (D-20-J-015) – Consent (04/20/2020) (pdf)
- Hand, Michael Austin (D-20-J-0041) – Consent 11/6/2020 (pdf)
- Harless, Justin (D-20-J-0122) – Default 09/01/2020
- Hatcher, Cecil W (D-20-J-0016) – Consent (04/20/2020) (pdf)
- Holder, Mark A (D-20-J-0129) – Consent 08/20/2020 (pdf)
- Horton, John (Johnny) P. (D-20-J-0009) – Consent 08/10/2020 (pdf)
- Knight, Amy d.b.a. Urban Stockyards (D-20-J-0139) – Default 10/15/2020 (pdf)
- Lindsey, Michael Tom (D-20-J-0126) – Default 11/24/2020
- MCCS Livestock, Inc. dba Leflore County Livestock Auction (D-20-J-0034) – Consent (02/04/2020) (pdf)
- Minnix Cattle Company, LLC and Minnix, Gregory A. (D-20-J-0108 and D-20-J-0109) – Consent 11/10/2020 (pdf)
- Nisly, Eugene dba Carrollton Livestock Auction (D-20-J-0033) – Consent (01/31/2020) (pdf)
- Olson, Merle/Olson Cattle Co (D-20-J-0014) – Consent (07/14/2020) (pdf)
- Perry, Isaiah Michael (D-20-J-0023) – Consent 10/14/2020 (pdf)
- Perschbacher, Mike (D-20-J-0013) – Consent (05/27/2020) (pdf)
- Roberson, Darren dba Rock’n R Cattle (D-20-J-0008) – Consent (05/08/2020) (pdf)
- Tollett, James F Jr d.b.a. Tollett Farms (D-20-J-0135) – Consent 08/28/2020
- ZYK Enterprises, Inc., dba S. I Bukhari/WaQas Muslim Slaughter House and Zeeshan Qazi (D-20-J-0156 and 20-J-0157) – Default 12/02/2020
2019
- 7 S Packing, LLC, dba Texas Packing Company (D-19-J-0136) – Consent 11/24/2020 and Amended Consent 12/8/2020
- 7 S Packing, LLC, dba Texas Packing Company (D-19-J-0136) – Consent 11/24/2020
- Ashville Stockyard, Inc., Bradley M. Plunkett, and Tilda Plunkett (D-19-J-0084, 19-J-0085, 19-J-0086) – Consent (01/02/2020) (pdf)
- Bartels, Christopher J (D-19-J-0016) – Consent (03/27/2020) (pdf)
- Bartels Packing, Inc., d.b.a. Bartels Farms (D-19-J-0015) – Consent (03/27/2020) (pdf)
- Barthel, Mitchell Lee dba Rock’n M Cattle (19-J-0083) – Consent (05/11/2020) (pdf)
- Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation (D-19-J-0089) - Consent (05/16/19) (pdf)
- Clinton Livestock Auction, LLC; Berry, Sandra; and Berry, Jack Blake (D-19-J-0091, D-19-J-0092, and D-19-J-0093) – Consent (07/30/19) (pdf)
- Deters, Scott dba Scott Deters Livestock Company (D-19-J-0149) – Default (05/19/2020) (pdf)
- DiMaria, Salvatore Anthony and ADD Enterprises, Inc. (D-19-J-0124 and D-19-J-0125) – Consent (02/12/2020)(pdf)
- Euclid Stockyards, Inc. (D-19-J-0106) – Consent – (04/12/2020)(pdf)
- Four R Ranch, LLC; Ryan, Greg; and Ryan, Tim (D-19-J-0058; D-19-J-0059; D-19-J-0060) – Consent (10/02/2019) (pdf)
- Gorham, Jeremy T. (D-19-J-0107) – Consent – (04/12/2020) (pdf)
- Great Lakes Cattle Marketing Company, LLC; and Gary Labor (D-19-J-0134; 19-J-0135) – Consent (01/13/2020) (pdf)
- Green Bay Dressed Beef, LLC (D-19-J-0145) – Consent (09/04/2019) (pdf)
- Hagler, John B. (D-19-J-0078) – Consent (04/16/2020)(pdf)
- Hagler, John B (D-19-J-0078) – Default (12/18/2019) (pdf)
- Hatch Auction, Inc. d.b.a. Cow House and Hatch, Raymond L. (D-19-J-0079; D-19-J-0080) – Consent (11/21/2019) (pdf)
- Hatch, Raymond L (D-19-J-0080) – Dismissal 09/01/2020
- JBS USA Food Company, Swift Beef Company (D-19-0003) – Consent (11/21/2018) (pdf)
- Jensen, Keith d.b.a. Keith Jensen Livestock (D-19-J-0123) – Consent (09/09/2019) (pdf)
- Kemp, James Steven (D-19-J-0061) – Consent (08/21/2020) (pdf)
- Klaiber, Christopher Matthew (D-19-J-0122) – Default (02/04/2020) (pdf)
- Kvasnicka, Clint (D-19-J-0082) – Initial Decision (04/08/2020) (pdf)
- L2 Cattle Corporation Inc. and Lewis, Ronnie (D-19-J-0052 and D-19-J-0053) – Consent (02/28/2019) (pdf)
- Lamb, Freddy (D-19-J-0148) – Consent (12/12/2019) (pdf)
- Larson, Carson (D-19-J-0074) – Consent (04/17/2020) (pdf)
- Larson Livestock, Inc. (D-19-J-0073) – Consent (04/17/2020) (pdf)
- Lynch, Shane M. dba Lynch Cattle Company, LLC (D-19-0007) – Decision and Order 08/19/2020 (pdf)
- McGraw, John P. (D-19-0001) – Consent (02/27/2019) (pdf)
- Nicholas, Eugene (D-19-0013) – Consent (10/04/2019) (pdf)
- Plummer, Calvin Jr. d.b.a. J&J Cattle and J-J (D-19-J-0064) – Consent (10/08/2019) (pdf)
- Plunkett, Glean and Fort Payne Stockyard, Inc. (D-19-J-0056 and D-19-J-0057) – Consent (03/07/2019) (pdf)
- Quinter Livestock Market, LLC (D-19-J-0081) – Initial Decision (04/08/2020) (pdf)
- R & W Farms, LLC, Thompson, Wanda, and Thompson, Rickey G. (D-19-0010, D-19-0011, and D-19-0012) – Consent (04/26/19) (pdf)
- Robinson, Mark d.b.a. Robinson Livestock (D-19-J-0122) – Default (01/09/2020) (pdf)
- Rogers, Michael J (D-19-J-0097) – Default (07/28/2020) (pdf)
- Sisseton Livestock, Inc. (D-19-J-0072) – Consent (11/12/2019) (pdf)
- Sivertson, Jonathan Allen d.b.a. Sivertson Farms (D-19-J-0105) – Consent (10/02/2019) (pdf)
- Sorrels, Kyle (D-19-J-0150) – Default (03/03/2020) (pdf)
- Sugarcreek Livestock Auction, Inc., and Leroy H. Baker, Jr. (D-19-J-0087; 19-J-0088) – Consent (01/07/2020) (pdf)
- Thompson, Allen, Jr., and Thompson, Chuck, a Missouri partnership (D-19-0005, D-19-0006) - Consent (5/17/2019) (pdf)
- Welch, Tommy Bradley d.b.a. TBW Cattle (D-19-J-0054) – Default (06/25/19) (pdf)
- Westminster Livestock Auction & Auction Service, LLC (D-19-J-0138; D-19-J-0139; D-19-J-0140) – Consent (08/28/2019) (pdf)
2018
- Bott, Tony (D-18-0075) – Default (04/17/19) (pdf)
- Camenzind, Bruce D. d.b.a. Clarence E. Camenzind Funnel Trust/BK Farms/Dixon Ranch (D-18-0064) - Consent (10/05/2018) (pdf)
- Cathey, John (D-18-0065) - Consent (09/27/2018) (pdf)
- Carolina Stock Yards Company, Inc. and Robert Crabb, Jr. (D-18-0066) – Consent decision (08/16/18) (pdf)
- Cecil Sellers Cattle Company, LTD; Sellers-CSCC, Inc.; and Sellers, Charles T. (D-18-0017; D-18-0018; D-18-0019) – Consent (12/12/2019); Order modifying consent (06/29/2020)
- Christie, Raymond Frank aka Ray Christie dba Christie Livestock (D-18-0020) – Default decision (5/22/2018) (pdf); Corrected default decision (08/30/18) (pdf); Judicial Officer decision (03/18/2019) (pdf)
- Cook, Roland dba RC Livestock (D-18-0050) – Consent decision (6/20/2018) (pdf)
- Farmington Livestock, LLC, and Keith Robertson (D-18-0021 and D-18-0022) – Consent decision (4/6/2018); Supplemental order (5/11/2018) (pdf)
- Grubish, Peter dba Grubish Cattle Company, Grubish Cattle Company, LLC, Harland Livestock, and Harland Livestock, LLC (D-18-0003, D-18-0004, D-18-0005, D-18-0006) – Consent decision (10/11/2017) (pdf)
- Hudspeth, Warren dba 56 Cattle CO (D-18-0025) – Consent (02/15/2019) (pdf)
- JBS USA Food Company fka JBS USA, LLC and Swift Beef Company (D-18-0057) – Consent decision (06/28/2018) (pdf)
- Lemons, Ronald L. (D-18-0079) - Consent (09/19/2018) (pdf)
- Leonard, Charles D. dba Leonard Cattle Co. (D-18-0045) – Consent decision (6/14/2018) (pdf)
- Lynch Livestock, Inc. (D-18-0002) – Consent decision (10/11/2017) (pdf)
- Nicholas, Deborah (D-18-0062) – Dismissal (01/31/2019) (pdf)
- Nicholas Meat, LLC (D-18-0061) – Consent (10/04/2019) (pdf)
- Poplin, Donald G and Low Country Livestock Exchange, LLC (D-18-0031 and D-18-0032) – Consent (08/02/2018) (pdf)
- Rawls, Robert dba Rawls Livestock (D-18-0040) – Consent decision (6/5/2018) (pdf)
- Rochelle, Edmond Shackleford d.b.a. Ford Rochelle (D-18-0052) – Consent decision (08/28/18) (pdf)
- Rodriguez, Jr., Samuel and RY Livestock Sales, Inc. (D-18-0048 and D-18-0049) – Consent decision (6/19/2018) (pdf)
- Sam Kane Beef Processors, LLC (D-18-0046) – Dismissal (06/01/2020)
- S&S Buying Inc. and Siebels, Troy (D-18-0054 and D-18-0055) – Consent (01/28/2019) (pdf)
- Smith, Jon A. (D-18-0001) – Consent decision (10/4/2017) (pdf)
- Southeast Mississippi Livestock (A.A.L) (D-18-0070) – Consent decision (08/17/18) (pdf)
- Wagener Dairy Cattle, LLC and Kenneth Wagener (D-18-0036 and D-18-0037) – Consent decision (5/25/2018) (pdf)
2017
- Bouma, Darrell (D-17-0225) – Consent decision (6/13/2018) (pdf)
- Fox, Michael Louis (D-17-0266) – Consent decision (9/15/2017) (pdf)
- New Holland Sales Stables, Inc. and David Kolb (D-17-0262 and D-17-0263) – Consent decision (12/6/2017) (pdf)
- Taylor, Robb and Taylor Livestock, LLC (D-17-0254 and D-17-0255) – Default decision (7/11/2017) (pdf)
2016
- High Plains Livestock, LLC dba Producers Livestock Auction, Michael Flen, Calvin Pareo, and Darcie Pareo (D-16-0126, D-16-0127, D-16-0128, and D-16-0129) – Consent decision (9/8/2017) (pdf)
The OALJ also publishes Agriculture Decisions as a record of decisions and orders issued for prior years. You can find P&S Act Decisions in Part Two of each volume on the OALJ website.
Judicial Officer Decisions
Sometimes the parties appeal an Administrative Law Judge’s decision to the USDA Judicial Officer. The OALJ publishes a link to Judicial Officer decisions for 2017 through the current fiscal year on the OALJ website. You can find Judicial Officer decisions prior to January 1, 2017, posted to the University of Arkansas' National Agricultural Law Center website. For legal citations, both websites, as well as the Agricultural Decisions volumes, are considered official sources.
News Releases or Notices to the Trade
You can find news releases or notices to trade related to PSD administrative actions on AMS News & Announcements.
Requesting Other Decisions or Filings Related to Administrative Actions
If you wish to see the full text of a decision, or any other filings related to administrative actions under the P&S Act, which are not provided through one of the links above, you can request a copy by emailing USDA’s Office of the Hearing Clerk (OHA) at SM.OHA.HearingClerks@oha.usda.gov. Please include
- Your name,
- Your contact information,
- A description of the information/documents you are requesting, and
- The preferred method of delivery.
Note: OHA will treat requests from parties not involved in a particular case as requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Therefore, you should expect a response from that office within twenty (20) business days from the date that they receive the information request. “Business days” do not include Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays. See 7 CFR 1.7(a).