WASHINGTON, May 06 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Vernon Inman II of Celleoka, Tenn., on Feb. 25, 2025, which resolved alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under this agreement, Inman waived its right to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $4,000.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) investigation revealed that between Dec. 2023 and March 2024, Inman failed to pay timely for 21 livestock transactions involving 378 heads of cattle totaling $466,128. Payments were made to three livestock markets from one to 42 days late.
The P&S Act requires livestock dealers to issue full payment due to livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to issue payment timely for livestock purchases is a violation of the P&S Act.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority 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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