Release No.: 030-19
WASHINGTON, March 18, 2019 – On March 12, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued a complaint against Four R Ranch LLC, Greg Ryan and Tim Ryan (Four R), Rineyville, Kentucky, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act (Act).
AMS conducted a review of the operations of Four R in October 2016. The review disclosed that on six separate dates Four R’s custodial account was allegedly not properly funded. The funding shortages were believed to be due, in part, to Four R’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, the complaint alleges Four R issued three insufficient funds checks on September 15, 2016, totaling $2,617. Issuing insufficient fund checks and failing to remit when due the net proceeds due from the sale price of such livestock on a commission basis within the time period required by P&S regulations is a violation of the Act.
If the allegations are admitted, or proven in an oral hearing, Four R may be ordered to cease and desist from violating the P&S Act, suspended and/or assessed a civil penalty.
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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