Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached a consent decision against Pete Blayne Burkhalter, doing business as 4B Cattle of Springtown, Texas, on June 14, 2021, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that on May 20, 2015, 4B Cattle failed to pay timely for livestock purchases totaling $52,594. From June 3 through July 22, 2015, 4B Cattle failed to pay the full purchase price for livestock purchases with $17,798 of those purchases remaining unpaid. Additionally, 4B Cattle issued four checks for livestock purchases totaling $203,457 without sufficient funds in its bank account to support the payment of those checks. 4B Cattle operated as a livestock dealer buying livestock without being registered and maintaining bond coverage and adequate records as required under the P&S Act.
Under the consent decision, 4B Cattle is ordered to cease and desist from operating without being properly registered and bonded, failing to timely pay the full purchase price of livestock, and failing to keep and maintain records. 4B Cattle is prohibited from registering or operating as a dealer for five years. After two years, 4B Cattles may request a supplemental order be issued terminating the prohibition from registering if it demonstrates to AMS that all unpaid livestock sellers have been paid in full.
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 Bryice Wilke, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051, or by email at Bryice.A.Wilke@usda.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service
