Release No.: 152-18
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) reached a consent decision with Wagener Dairy Cattle LLC (Wagener Dairy) and Kenneth Wagener for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Terms of the settlement are set forth in a consent decision in which Wagener Dairy and Kenneth Wagener agreed to cease and desist from violating the P&S Act and serve a suspension of five-years. The consent decision became final and effective on June 7, 2018.
During an investigation, AMS discovered that Wagener Dairy failed to pay approximately $224,176 for livestock that was owed to sellers and also failed to pay when due, which is a violation of the Act. Wagener Dairy’s suspension is ordered to last for five (5) years; however, the consent decision provides that Wagener Dairy or Kenneth Wagener may be allowed to register under the Act after a period of three (3) years, provided they provide proof of payment in full for all amounts owed.
The Packers and Stockyards Division, which is in the AMS Fair Trade Practices Program, administers the P&S Act, 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, Fair Trade Practices Program, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (515) 323-2586, or by email at stuart.frank@usda.gov.
Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender