WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed a complaint against Mr. Cash Hurst of Lerna, Ill. on Aug. 4, 2025, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed that from Nov. 3, 2022, through Jan. 20, 2023, Hurst purchased a total of 1,329 head of livestock in 30 transactions for a total purchase price of $176,300. In each of these transactions, Hurst engaged in the business of buying and selling in commerce without being registered with the Secretary of Agriculture and maintaining an adequate bond or bond equivalent.
Hurst also failed to pay timely for 559 head of livestock in 16 transactions involving nine different livestock sellers, valued at $76,134 from Nov. 29, 2022, through Jan. 30, 2023. In addition, Hurst failed to pay for livestock, issued nonsufficient funds checks for livestock purchases, and, as of the date of the complaint, still owed approximately $9,477.
Lastly, Hurst failed to keep and maintain adequate records, which are intended to fully and correctly disclose all transactions involved in his business as a dealer.
The P&S Act requires livestock dealers to issue full payment due for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Livestock dealers must also maintain a bond or bond equivalent as a measure of payment protection for livestock sellers and maintain adequate records. Failure to keep and maintain adequate records, failure to issue payment timely for livestock purchases, failure to issue full payment for livestock purchases, and issuing non-sufficient funds checks for livestock purchases are unfair trade practices and violations of the P&S Act and regulations.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority under the P&S Act to take action against violators, including issuing orders to cease and desist, suspending registrations, and applying other appropriate remedies as authorized by the Act.
For information about the P&S Act, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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