WASHINGTON, March 4, 2026 – On March 4, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Boyer’s Meat Custom Processing LLC (Boyer’s Meat) of Canton, Mich., resolving alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under this agreement, Boyer’s Meat waived its right to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,750.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed that from Feb. 1, 2024 through March 28, 2024, Boyer’s Meat failed to pay timely for 24 livestock purchases and failed to maintain adequate records. Payments were issued between two and nine days late. The P&S Act requires livestock dealers to issue full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following a purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to issue payment timely for livestock purchases is a violation of the P&S Act and regulations.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority to take action against violators, including issuing orders to cease and desist, suspending registrations, and applying other appropriate remedies as authorized by the P&S Act. USDA may also offer alleged violators the option of waiving their right to a hearing and entering into a stipulation agreement to resolve the suspected violations quickly. 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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