Release No.: 148-19
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2019 – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, on October 2, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached a consent decision against Four R Ranch LLC, Greg Ryan and Tim Ryan (Four R Ranch), Rineyville, Kentucky, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act (Act).
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service resulted in the issuance of an administrative complaint on March 12, 2019, against Four R Ranch. The review disclosed that on six separate dates Four R Ranch’s custodial account was not properly funded. The shortages were due, in part, to Four R Ranch’s failure to deposit into the account all proceeds collected from the sale of consigned livestock within the timeframe prescribed by P&S regulations and by misuse of the custodial account. In addition, Four R Ranch issued three insufficient funds checks. Issuing insufficient fund checks is also a violation of the Act.
Under the consent decision, Four R Ranch LLC, Greg Ryan and Tim Ryan were jointly assessed a civil penalty of $6,000.
In addition, Four R Ranch LLC, Greg Ryan and Tim Ryan, including its agents and employees, must cease and desist from failing to remit the full amount of the purchase price for livestock within the time frame required and failing to properly use and maintain the Custodial Account for Shippers' Proceeds in strict conformity with the Act.
The P&S Act is a fair-trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat and poultry industries.
For further information about the Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Stuart Frank, Director, Packers and Stockyards Division, Fair Trade Practices Program, at (515) 323-2586, or by email at Stuart.Frank@usda.gov.
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