WASHINGTON, March 4, 2026 – On Aug. 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed a complaint against Victoria Livestock & Poultry Market LLC (Victoria Livestock) of Newark, N.J. for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed that from March 21, 2023, through June 28, 2023, Victoria Livestock failed to pay timely for 1,673 head of livestock valued at $362,454. The livestock were purchased in nine transactions and late payments ranged from 5 to 76 days.
Victoria Livestock also failed to pay two different livestock sellers for 2,482 head of livestock, valued at $626,643, purchased in 15 transactions from Nov. 4, 2022, to July 19, 2023. As of the date of the complaint, this amount remains unpaid.
The P&S Act requires livestock packers to issue full payment due 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 full payment for livestock purchases are unfair trade practices and violations of 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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