WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Wayne F. Craig & Sons Inc. of Shippensburg, Pa., on Feb. 4, 2025, which resolved alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under this agreement, Craig waived its right to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,500.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed that between May 6, 2024, and June 20, 2024, Craig failed to pay timely for 16 livestock purchases totaling $709,450. Payments were issued between 3 and 20 days late.
The P&S Act requires livestock dealers to issue the 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 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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