Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached a Consent Decision against Daniel Baranzini, Carlos Plascencia, and Sonoran Cattle LLC, (Sonoran) of Arizona, on Feb. 22, 2022, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that during the period on or about Aug. 30, 2019, through Oct. 30, 2020, Sonoran failed to pay when due as required by the Act in 19 transactions consisting of 941 head of cattle purchased for $642,339. Payments ranged from three to 39 days late. In addition, Sonoran failed to pay the full purchase price of livestock in 42 transactions totaling $2,656,703. Subsequently, since the USDA issued a Complaint on July 1, 2021, Sonoran has made additional payments to livestock sellers and currently has an unpaid balance of 286,076.
Under the Consent Decision, Sonoran has been ordered to cease and desist from failing to pay for the full purchase price of livestock and failing to pay, when due, the full purchase price of livestock. In addition, Sonoran is suspended as a registrant under the Act for three years. During the suspension, Sonoran is prohibited from operating in any capacity for which registration and bonding are required under the Act. If, however, Sonoran demonstrates to the USDA that the full payment owed to livestock sellers was paid within the three-year suspension period, this order will be modified to terminate the suspension.
In addition, Sonoran was assessed a civil penalty in the amount of sixty-two thousand five hundred dollars ($62,500.00). If, however, Sonoran demonstrates full payment of the outstanding balance owed to livestock sellers within the three-year suspension period, the order will be modified to reduce said 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 Kraig Roesch, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (303) 375-4291, or by email at kraig.roesch@usda.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service
