Washington, D.C., May 18, 2026 – On Feb. 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a Consent Decision and Order with WNC Livestock Exchange LLC and Steven and Melissa Matthews of Canton, N.C., settling an administrative complaint USDA filed on May 22, 2025, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA investigation revealed WNC Livestock had custodial account shortages of $243,393 on Sept. 29, 2022, and $223,933 on Oct. 31, 2022, due in part to WNC Livestock’s custodial account misuse, failure to reimburse the custodial account by the close of the next business day for a market purchase, and failure to reimburse the account for uncollected receivables by the close of the seventh day following a livestock sale, as required by the P&S Act.
Under the Consent Decision and Order, WNC Livestock and Steven and Melissa Matthews were ordered to cease and desist from failing to maintain and use their custodial account in accordance with the P&S Act and regulations. WNC Livestock and Steven and Melissa Matthews also agreed to pay an $8,000 civil penalty.
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.
For information, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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