WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed a complaint against Josiah J. Wingard dba JJW Livestock LLC of Bristol, Ind., on July 3, 2025, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA investigation revealed that between Feb. 16, 2022 and Mar. 9, 2022, Wingard purchased 150 head of livestock for a total purchase price of $38,347 and was operating as a livestock dealer buying on commission without being properly registered and bonded, in violation of the P&S Act and regulations. Livestock market agencies and dealers must maintain a bond as a measure of payment protection for livestock sellers. The size of the bond is based on the volume of business, generally an average of two days’ business, with a minimum of $10,000.
The investigation also revealed that between April 2021 and Oct. 2021, Wingard issued 14 checks for livestock purchases without sufficient funds. Wingard failed to pay timely for livestock purchases totaling $224,124, with $27,456 of this total remaining unpaid as of the complaint filing date. The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue the full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to issue payment timely for livestock purchases and failure to issue the full payment for purchases is an unfair trade practice and a violation of the P&S Act and regulations.
Additionally, Wingard failed to keep and maintain all purchase and sale invoices, checks, bank statements, dealer receipts, and other records necessary to document business operations and required by 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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