USDA Issues a Packers and Stockyards Complaint against Kolb’s Dairy Sales LLC.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Matthew Kolb and Kolb's Dairy Sales LLC. on Oct. 22, 2024, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyard (P&S) Act.<_o3a_p>

An investigation by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service revealed that between July 20, 2022, and Sept. 21, 2022, Kolb failed to pay the full purchase price for 85 head of livestock totaling $121,434. Kolb also issued a check for a livestock purchase totaling $40,000, which was returned unpaid for insufficient funds. As of the filing date of the complaint, Kolb still owes $119,836 for his livestock purchases.<_o3a_p>

The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to timely pay 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.<_o3a_p>

The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to initiate actions to seek various sanctions, including orders to cease and desist from continuing violations, suspensions of registrations where applicable, and other remedies as authorized and appropriate under the Act.<_o3a_p>

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.<_o3a_p>

For further information about the Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or by email at [email protected].

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