USDA Issues a Packers and Stockyards Complaint against Duvall Livestock Market LP

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Duvall Livestock Market LP, of Greensboro, Ga., on April 19, 2024, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that Duvall Livestock Market LP, failed to maintain its custodial account properly, resulting in custodial shortages of $20,561 on July 31, 2020, and $28,321 on Sept. 30, 2020.

A custodial account is a trust account designated for shippers’ proceeds from the sale of livestock in trust for sellers. Operating with custodial account shortages is a violation of the P&S Act and places livestock sellers at risk of not being paid timely or at all.

The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $33,896 per violation against any person after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record. If the allegations are admitted or proven in an oral hearing, Duvall Livestock Market LP, may be ordered to cease and desist from continuing violations of the P&S Act and assessed a civil penalty.

The P&S Act is a fair-trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat and poultry industries.

For further information about the Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-5877 or by email at Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.

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