USDA settles two Packers and Stockyards cases
USDA resolves alleged violations against LeRoy J. Miller dba Hope Stock Farm of Millersburg, Ohio, and MBA Beef LLC dba Interstate Regional Stockyards, of Cuba, Mo.
Hope Stock Farm
The US Department of Agriculture entered into a stipulation agreement with LeRoy J. Miller dba Hope Stock Farm of Millersburg, Ohio, on May 25, 2025, resolving an alleged violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. Under this agreement, Miller waived his right to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $900.
A USDA investigation revealed that between June 27, 2023, and Aug. 26, 2024, Miller failed to pay for 12 livestock purchases totaling $60,608, in violation of the P&S Act, which requires subject entities to issue the full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession.
The secretary of agriculture has authority under the P&S Act to act against violators, including issuing orders to cease and desist, suspending registrations, and applying other appropriate remedies as authorized by the Act. 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.
Interstate Regional Stockyards
The US Department of Agriculture also entered into a separate stipulation agreement, with MBA Beef LLC dba Interstate Regional Stockyards, of Cuba, Mo., on June 3, 2025, resolving an alleged violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. Under this agreement, MBA Beef LLC waived its rights to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $12,500.
A USDA investigation revealed that MBA Beef LLC had custodial account shortages of $359,443 on Aug. 31, 2024, $125,412 on Sept. 30, 2024, and $529,453 on Oct. 31, 2024, due to the market agency’s failure to timely reimburse the custodial account, as required by the P&S Act. A custodial account is a trust account required for handling proceeds from the sale of livestock. The market agency maintains this account to benefit livestock sellers. The custodial account must be reimbursed for purchases by the close of the next business day, and for uncollected receivables by the close of the seventh day following the livestock sale.
Source: USDA AMS
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