Washington, D.C., May 18, 2026 – On Jan. 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Rutherford Land and Cattle Co. LLC and Bobby Rutherford of Fairfield, Texas, resolving alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under this agreement, Rutherford Land and Cattle waived its right to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,000.
A USDA investigation revealed that between March 2025 and May 2025, Rutherford Land and Cattle failed to maintain adequate records and failed to pay timely for 15 livestock transactions involving 456 head totaling $929,624, in violation of the P&S Act. Payments were issued between three and 35 days late. The P&S Act requires livestock dealers to issue full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession and maintain adequate records.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority to take action against violators, including issuing cease and desist orders, suspending registrations, and imposing other remedies authorized by the P&S Act. USDA may also give alleged violators the option to waive their right to a hearing and enter into a stipulation agreement, allowing the matter to be resolved more quickly.
For more information, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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