WASHINGTON, Mar. 10, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Sand Mountain Stockyard, LLC, of Boaz, Ala., on Feb. 18, 2025, for an alleged violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation agreement, Sand Mountain waived its right to a hearing and paid a civil penalty of $1,500.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed Sand Mountain tested its livestock scale on Jan. 6, 2023, but continued using it to weigh livestock without further testing.
The P&S Act requires testing of livestock scales used in commerce at least once between January 1 and June 30, and at least once again between July 1 and December 31, with a minimum period of 120 days between tests.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority under the P&S Act to act against violators, including issuing orders to cease and desist, suspending registrations, and applying other appropriate remedies as authorized by the Act. The USDA may also offer alleged violators the option to waive their right to a hearing and enter into a stipulation agreement to resolve the suspected violations quickly.
For information about the P&S Act, please contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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